Madagascar Visa Guide 2026: Types, Requirements, and Arrival Options

(MADAGASCAR) Most visitors can enter Madagascar with tourist visas issued on arrival or by e-visa, as long as they carry the right documents and stay within the allowed time. For trips of less than 15 days, the Embassy of Madagascar says no visa fee applies, but stays beyond 15 days require a paid visa.

This matters for holidaymakers, family visitors, and business travelers because the choice you make—visa on arrival, e-visa, or a consular long-stay visa—changes what you must prepare before boarding and what immigration officers will ask for at entry. It also matters because short-stay options are not for work or study, and overstays trigger fines and possible prosecution.

Fast path for most travelers: tourist visas by e-visa or on arrival

Madagascar’s short-stay system is built for travel simplicity. Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at the airport or apply for an electronic visa (e-visa) before departure. Tourist visas are offered in 30, 60, or 90 days, depending on nationality and the stay you choose.

One hard limit applies: citizens of Palestine and Burundi are excluded from visa on arrival and e-visa issuance, under the rules described by the Embassy of Madagascar.

As VisaVerge.com reports that traveler mistakes most often happen at the “easy” stage, the safest plan is to treat tourist visas like a checklist exercise, not a last-minute formality.

A realistic timeline: what to do and when

For short visits, the timeline is straightforward and predictable:

1. 7+ days before departure: If using the e-visa, submit your application at least 7 days before you fly, even though approval typically takes up to 72 hours.
2. 3–7 days before departure: Recheck your passport details, flight proof, and health documents, then print backups.
3. Departure day: Carry originals plus photocopies in your hand luggage.
4. Arrival day: Present documents, pay fees if staying more than 15 days, and keep your entry proof safe.

That’s the full arc for most tourist visas, but small document gaps can still cause delays at the counter.

Document checklist immigration officers expect to see

Madagascar’s requirements vary by visa type, but the same core set shows up repeatedly at airports and consulates. Bring the following items for most visa categories:

• Passport validity: Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date and have 2–3 blank pages for stamps. The U.S. State Department requirement is 3 blank pages for entry.
• Visa application form: A completed and signed application, with a signature that matches the passport.
• Photo: A recent passport-style photo taken within the last 6 months, on a white background.
• Flights: Round-trip or onward ticket details showing your name clearly.
• Yellow fever proof (when required): A yellow fever vaccination certificate if you traveled to, or lived in, a yellow fever-affected area within 6 days of the trip.
• Police clearance: A police record dated within the last 6 months.
• Funds: Proof you have enough money for your stay and unexpected costs.

Photocopies help because officers may ask for duplicates, especially if you plan to extend a stay or change plans inside Madagascar.

For official safety and entry notes used by many travelers, the U.S. government keeps a public file on Madagascar travel and entry conditions on the U.S. Department of State’s Madagascar travel information page.

Choosing between e-visa and visa on arrival

Both paths lead to the same end result for short leisure stays, but they change when you handle paperwork.

• E-visa
• Best for travelers who want a pre-approved record before flying.
• Approval typically takes up to 72 hours, but apply at least 7 days before departure to avoid last-minute stress.

• Visa on arrival

• Issued immediately at the airport for most nationalities.
• Useful when travel is booked quickly or plans change.

For both options, remember the fee rule tied to length of stay: under 15 days has no visa fee, while more than 15 days for tourism or business requires a paid visa.

What happens at the airport in Madagascar

On arrival, expect a basic, document-focused check. Immigration officers typically confirm identity, length of stay, and whether you have proof you can support yourself.

Be ready to show:

• Passport with the required validity and blank pages
• Your planned departure or onward flight
• Proof of funds if requested
• Vaccination proof when the yellow fever rule applies

The U.S. State Department also notes that Ebola screening may be conducted at airports, so allow extra time in the arrivals hall on busy days.

“Traveling to a new country is an adventurous and enriching experience. Being well-prepared with all the necessary documentation and knowledge about visa requirements can make your trip even more enjoyable.”

— Travel consultant quoted in the guide

Staying compliant after entry: police checks, overstays, and exports

Once in Madagascar, daily life can still include document checks. Random police vehicle checkpoints are common throughout Madagascar, so carry photo identification, such as your passport or residency card, for routine questioning.

Travelers have reported occasional harassment and bribe solicitation. The practical response is calm consistency: keep your documents accessible, stay polite, and avoid handing over originals unless an officer clearly requests them.

• Overstays: Treated as legal violations. The U.S. State Department warns that U.S. citizens who overstay will face fines and potential prosecution. If plans change, address visa timing before your permitted stay ends.
• Exporting precious gems: The Government of Madagascar restricts the export of precious gems. Precious materials should travel with a certificate of authenticity and a certificate allowing export.

When short-stay options are the wrong tool: work, study, and long stays

Tourist visas are for tourism and short visits. They are not valid for employment or enrollment.

Work, study, or long-stay requirements:

• Work visas
• Must be arranged in advance.

• Process includes an Employment Authorization Document issued by the EDBM (Economic Development Board of Madagascar) and company records such as tax filings and proof tied to the hiring manager.

• Student visas

• Must be arranged before travel.

• Required documents include enrollment confirmation in a government-recognized institution, scholarship proof or financial support evidence, a copy of your last diploma, and a recommendation letter from the host university when studying at a Malagasy institution.

• Stays longer than 90 days

• Apply for a consular visa through a Malagasy embassy or consulate before travel.
• These long-term visas are issued as one-month visas that are transformable and extendable.

Transit and family travel: small rules that trip people up

• Transit exemption: You may be exempt from a visa if you have a confirmed onward ticket to a third country within 24 hours and remain in the international transit area. You must still hold all documents required for your next destination. This exemption does not apply to refugees and stateless persons.
• Traveling with minors: Madagascar’s notarized consent-letter rule is aimed at residents traveling with minors when one parent is absent. This requirement does not apply to tourists visiting Madagascar.