Madagascar Entry Requirements

Madagascar Entry Requirements define all the rules that must be met in order to enter Madagascar's territory without any hassle. These requirements, i.a, outline the list of necessary documents that one must obtain prior to departure.

One of the most essential documents required of visitors to Madagascar is a passport with at least 6-month validity and two blank pages. Another document that may be necessary for certain travelers is a valid visa.

You need to ensure that an entry stamp is recorded in your passport. Make also sure that your visa will remain valid for the entire period and purpose of your visit. A tourist visa for Madagascar can be extended during your stay in the country up to maximally 90 days. Do not overstay your expired visa, as it may lead to fines, deportation, or even detention.

It is your nationality, traveling purpose as well as the planned length of stay in Madagascar that determine the type of visa that you must apply for. According to the Malagasy visa policy, most international travelers are allowed to apply for a Madagascar visa online. There is only one nationality, i.e., Burundi, which is required to apply for a visit visa in person at the nearest Malagasy diplomatic mission.

Additionally, all foreigners who wish to move to Madagascar must obtain a relevant long-term visa and/or permit at the embassy or consulate. It applies, e.g., to work permits and immigrant visas. Residence permits can be obtained after arrival in Madagascar.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the Malagasy authorities maintained some protective measures and health restrictions for travelers arriving in the country. Nevertheless, all the restrictions were lifted in August 2022. All travelers to Madagascar do not need to worry about covid-related documents since they are no longer verified.

Please, however, note that travel restrictions and entry requirements may change at short notice. Remember always to check the latest information before planning any international travel.

Who can enter Madagascar?

Madagascar allows entry to most international travelers regardless of their Covid-19 vaccination status. Currently, the country's authorities ban only Palestinian citizens from getting a visa and entering Madagascar.

Documents check-list for entering Madagascar

• valid passport
• Madagascar visa
• travel insurance (optional)

Moreover, both during the check-in and upon arrival in Madagascar, you may be asked to show the following:

• confirmation of your travel dates
• proof of onward or return travel

Testing, vaccination, and quarantine requirements

Testing Requirements

Providing a negative pre-departure Covid-19 test is no longer necessary to enter Madagascar. Post-arrival coronavirus tests were dropped too.

Vaccination Requirements

A traveler arriving in Madagascar no longer needs to submit a Covid-19 vaccination certificate to enter the country or access any local services.

Quarantine Requirements

Until recently, travelers with a positive post-arrival test were subject to a 7-day quarantine at their own expense. However, all quarantine requirements were lifted, and visitors to Madagascar do not need to quarantine regardless of their vaccination status.

Traveling from Madagascar

There are no special requirements to leave Madagascar. Please do remember, however, to check the travel regulations introduced by your airline.

Do not also forget to consult the latest requirements applicable for the country of your next travel destination (if you travel further) or home country (if you go back to your country). You may need a visa or/and Covid-19 documentation to enter the given destination.

Traveling to Madagascar

Travelers to Madagascar can face some limitations on operated flights, which are also subject to change or cancellation. You should keep in touch with your travel agent and/or airline you will be flying with.

There is no longer necessary to meet any covid-related requirements since, as of 11th August 2022, the Malagasy Government decided to lift all remaining restrictions for all travelers visiting Madagascar no matter vaccinated or not. Pre-departure and post-arrival testing is no longer in force. Moreover, travelers do not need to prove that they have received Covid-19 vaccination.

Please, however, note that all the entry regulations may change at short notice. Remember to always monitor the changes and latest updates to the entry requirements.

Entry Rules for Children

Children do not fall under any exemptions or Covid-19 requirements. All minor travelers should follow the same entry rules as adult travelers. It is their parents or legal guardians who are responsible for obtaining all the necessary documents on their behalf.

Transit through Madagascar

Transit passengers do not need to meet any special covid-related requirements to transit through Madagascar.

Before making a transit stop in Madagascar, make sure to check directly with your airline whether they have their own rules for passengers flying with them. These requirements may differ from the general entry requirements to Madagascar.

Madagascar visa requirements

Electronic Visa

Madagascar introduced the electronic visa system in 2017 to enable foreign travelers to get a visa entirely online. Applicants can obtain a single-entry electronic visa that allows staying in Madagascar for either 1 month or 2 months. Madagascar e-Visa serves only tourism-related purposes.

Travelers from every country in the world can submit an online application for the Madagascar electronic visa. The online application consists of three intuitive steps, including filling out a short online form, covering the processing fee, and receiving an email with the approved e-Visa.

Embassy or Consular Visa

An embassy or consular visa for short-term visits in Madagascar is currently required from only one country, i.e., Burundi. Nationals of Burundi must apply for any type of Madagascar visa directly at one of the Madagascar diplomatic missions.

Moreover, foreigners planning to live and work in Madagascar must also obtain a relevant embassy visa, immigrant visa, or work visa, respectively.

Malagasy diplomatic missions are present around the world. Its embassies and consulates are located in different African, Asian, European, and North American countries. If no embassy or consulate is present in a traveler's home country, they will need to visit the nearest country where the Malagasy diplomatic mission is present.

An embassy or consulate visa usually involves a number of supporting documents required to be submitted during the visa application. Also, the visa application procedure may take more time than when applying for a visa online.

If you need to obtain a visa at an embassy, make sure to start arranging all the formalities in advance of your planned trip to Madagascar to obtain your visa on time. As a rule, it may even take several weeks to handle the entire visa procedure.

Countries banned from entering Madagascar

Currently, Madagascar prohibits entry to nationals of only one country, i.e., Palestine. Citizens of Palestine can neither enter Madagascar nor obtain a Malagasy visa.

Malagasy Government periodically updates the country's visa policy according to the changes in international relations. It means that Palestinian passport holders can be allowed to travel to Madagascar in the future.

Travel Insurance

While it's not required to have insurance to enter Madagascar, a good policy will provide you with peace of mind in case of any emergency. Make sure to choose the policy that best matches your particular travel needs and also consider Covid-19 coverage.