Planning a trip to Madagascar? This guide walks you through everything you need to know about obtaining a tourist visa, from who’s exempt to step-by-step application instructions, plus crucial health and entry tips you won’t find on other sites.
Who Needs a Visa — and Who Doesn’t
Before you pack your bags, check whether you need a visa at all:
- Visa-free transit: If you’re in Madagascar’s international transit area for under 24 hours, you don’t need a visa, as outlined in VisaGuide’s Madagascar transit visa exemptions.
- Special exemptions: Citizens of Mauritius and Seychelles may stay up to 90 days visa-free according to the U.S. Department of State’s travel advice on Madagascar entry requirements.
- Standard requirement: Most nationalities must obtain a visa either in advance or upon arrival at designated points of entry.
Types of Tourist Visas
Madagascar offers several short-stay options. Choose the one that fits your itinerary:
e-Visa
Apply online up to three months before departure. Valid for single entry of up to 30 days as detailed in iVisa’s Madagascar e-Visa application guide.
Visa on Arrival
Issued at Ivato and Nosy Be airports for stays up to 30 days, payable in cash (euros or US dollars), with requirements outlined in Just One World’s guide to Madagascar visa on arrival.
Visa-Free Transit
No visa is needed if you remain within the international transit zone for under 24 hours.
Special Exemptions
Mauritius and Seychelles nationals enter without a visa for stays up to 90 days.
Application Requirements
Whether you opt for an e-Visa or Visa on Arrival, gather these documents:
- Valid passport with at least two blank pages and six months’ validity.
- Recent passport-style photo (white background, taken within the last six months).
- Round-trip flight reservation or itinerary.
- Proof of sufficient funds (bank statement or cash equivalent).
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate if you’ve been in an endemic area in the last six months, as specified in the World Health Organization’s International Health Regulations on yellow fever vaccination.
For a comprehensive overview of Madagascar’s entry document requirements, refer to Schengen Visa Info’s Madagascar visa entry requirements.
How to Apply — Step by Step
- Choose your visa type (e-Visa vs. Visa on Arrival).
- Complete the online form or fill out the arrival form at the airport.
- Pay the fee (e-Visa: US $37 for 30 days; VOA: approximately €35–€40).
- Receive your e-Visa via email or collect your visa upon landing.
- Keep a printed copy of your visa and all supporting documents.
Visa Validity, Extensions, and Multiple Entries
- e-Visa and Visa on Arrival: Valid up to 30 days, single entry.
- Extensions: You can apply for an extension at the Immigration Office in Antananarivo; see the Directorate General of Migration’s information on visa extensions in Madagascar.
- Multiple entries: Available through embassies before departure for eligible nationalities; consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Madagascar’s guidelines for multiple-entry visas.
Beyond the Basics: Health and Safety Tips
- Mandatory yellow fever certificate for travelers from endemic zones.
- For other recommended vaccinations (Hepatitis A, typhoid, routine immunizations) and malaria prophylaxis options, review the CDC’s comprehensive travel health guidance for Madagascar.
Your Madagascar Adventure Awaits
Now that your visa strategy is in place, focus on the highlights: lemur-watching in Andasibe, snorkeling off Nosy Be, and exploring the red sands of Ifaty. With documents in order and health precautions taken, you’re ready to experience Madagascar’s unique landscapes and wildlife.
Safe travels!