Madagascar Visa Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
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Getting a visa for Madagascar is straightforward for most nationalities — but the details matter, particularly if you plan to stay longer than 30 days or are arriving from a yellow fever zone. This guide covers everything you need to know before you land.
Who Needs a Visa?
Most nationalities require a visa to enter Madagascar. As of the time of writing (verify current requirements before travel, as policies change):
- Visa on arrival (most common): Citizens of most countries, including all EU countries, the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and most African nations, can obtain a visa on arrival at Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo). This covers the large majority of visitors to Madagascar.
- Visa-exempt: A small number of countries may have visa exemption agreements — check your country’s official government travel advisory for the current status.
- E-visa: Madagascar has periodically operated an e-visa system that allows pre-arrival online application. Availability varies — check the official Madagascar Immigration Portal before departure to see if this option is currently active.
Note: Always verify visa requirements with your country’s foreign affairs ministry or Madagascar’s official immigration authority before travel. Requirements change and can vary by nationality.
Visa on Arrival: What to Know
Duration
- 30 days: Standard visa on arrival. Available to most nationalities.
- 60 days: Available at arrival. Costs more than the 30-day visa.
- 90 days: Possible by extending in-country — not available on arrival. See extension section below.
Cost
Visa fees are payable in USD, EUR, or MGA (Malagasy Ariary) at the airport visa counter. Bring exact or near-exact cash — change may not always be available. Approximate costs (verify current fees before travel):
- 30-day visa: approximately $35–40 USD
- 60-day visa: approximately $70 USD
What You Need at the Counter
- Valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date from Madagascar)
- Completed arrival form (distributed on the flight or available at the airport)
- Proof of onward travel (return ticket or onward booking) — immigration may ask for this
- Proof of accommodation for the first night (hotel booking, invitation letter, or hostel confirmation)
- Sufficient funds — immigration may ask for evidence that you can support yourself during your stay
- Cash for the visa fee in USD or EUR
Queue Time
Ivato airport’s visa-on-arrival counter can have long queues, particularly when several international flights arrive simultaneously (this happens on peak evenings — Air France from Paris, Ethiopian Airlines, and Air Austral sometimes arrive within hours of each other). Allow 1–2 hours for the full arrival process. This is normal — it is not a cause for concern.
Your visa gets you into Madagascar. SafetyWing travel insurance keeps you protected once you’re there — covering emergency medical expenses, evacuation, and trip interruption. Purchase before your outbound flight; coverage cannot begin once you’ve left home.
Yellow Fever Certificate
If you are arriving from a country on the WHO list of countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, you must present a valid International Certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever (the “yellow card”). This is strictly enforced. Without it, you may be denied entry or required to be vaccinated on arrival (uncomfortable and potentially costly).
If your routing involves transiting through a yellow fever country (even briefly), check whether Madagascar requires proof of vaccination for that routing. Consult your travel medicine clinic at least 4–6 weeks before departure.
Extending Your Visa in Madagascar
If you want to stay longer than your visa on arrival allows, extensions are possible in Antananarivo at the Direction Générale de la Police Nationale (immigration office). The process:
- Apply before your current visa expires — do not overstay
- Bring your passport, photos, proof of accommodation, proof of onward travel, and extension fee
- Extensions are processed in Antananarivo — if you are at a remote location, you need to return to the capital
- Maximum total stay on a tourist visa is generally 90 days per visit
Online Visa Services
If you prefer to arrange your visa documentation before travel to avoid airport queues, online visa services can assist with application preparation, document verification, and in some cases pre-authorization.
→ Check your Madagascar visa options on iVisa — simplifies the process for those who prefer to arrange paperwork before arrival rather than queuing on arrival.
Other Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you plan to leave Madagascar. Airlines will typically not let you board without this, and immigration will turn you back even if they do.
Return Ticket
Immigration may ask for evidence of a return or onward flight. Have your booking confirmation accessible on your phone or printed.
Vaccinations
Beyond yellow fever (required from endemic country travelers), the following are commonly recommended for Madagascar (consult your travel medicine clinic):
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Rabies (if visiting rural areas or national parks)
- Meningitis (for certain high-risk areas)
- Routine vaccinations up to date (MMR, tetanus, diphtheria)
Malaria Prophylaxis
Madagascar is a malaria-risk country. Antimalarial medication is strongly recommended and should be prescribed by your doctor before departure. This is not an entry requirement but a critical health measure.
Flight Delay Compensation
Most routes to Madagascar pass through European airports (Paris CDG, Amsterdam, Istanbul). If your European connecting flight is delayed over 3 hours or cancelled, you may qualify for up to €600 per passenger under EU Regulation EC 261/2004. AirAdvisor submits and pursues these claims on a no-win, no-fee basis.
Summary Checklist Before Departure
- ☐ Passport valid 6+ months beyond departure date
- ☐ Visa on arrival fee in USD or EUR cash (exact amount preferred)
- ☐ Yellow fever certificate (if arriving from an endemic country)
- ☐ Printed return/onward ticket
- ☐ Proof of accommodation (first night)
- ☐ Travel vaccinations complete (consult travel medicine clinic)
- ☐ Antimalarial prescription filled
- ☐ SafetyWing travel insurance purchased and policy document saved to phone
- ☐ Pre-travel visa documentation verified (if preferred)
FAQ — Madagascar Visa
Do I need a visa to enter Madagascar?
Most nationalities receive a free visa on arrival for stays up to 30 days, extendable to 60 and 90 days at the DRIM offices in Antananarivo. Check current requirements with the nearest Madagascar embassy before travel as rules can change.
Can I extend my visa on arrival?
Yes. A 30-day visa on arrival can be extended twice at DRIM offices — first to 60 days, then to 90 days. Each extension must be done before the current visa expires.
What documents do I need at the airport?
You need a valid passport (6+ months validity), proof of onward travel (return or outbound ticket), proof of accommodation for at least the first night, and the visa fee in cash (USD or EUR accepted, exact amount preferred).
Do I need a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate?
A Yellow Fever certificate is required if you are arriving from a Yellow Fever endemic country. If arriving from Europe or North America directly, it is not required but strongly recommended.
