Madagascar maintains a dual-track entry system that permits most foreign nationals to obtain visas either on arrival at international airports or through advance application at embassies. The country issues tourist visas valid for stays of up to 30, 60, or 90 days, with fees scaled accordingly. Citizens of most Western countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union member states, Australia, and New Zealand, qualify for visa-on-arrival privileges. The three international airports processing visa-on-arrival applications are Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo, Fascene Airport on Nosy Be, and Toamasina Airport. Overland border crossings do not consistently offer visa-on-arrival services, making advance arrangement advisable for travelers entering from land borders with neither electronic nor embassy-issued visas.
Electronic visa applications became available through the Madagascar government portal in 2017, though system reliability varies and travelers report intermittent technical issues. The e-visa costs the same as visa-on-arrival but theoretically reduces processing time at immigration counters. Processing time for e-visas ranges from 24 hours to 10 business days depending on application volume and system functionality. The official government portal for visa applications is https://evisamada.gov.mg, which remains the only legitimate electronic application channel. Third-party websites charging higher fees exist but offer no additional service beyond forwarding applications to the official system.
Visa fees as of 2024 are 80,000 Ariary for 30 days, 100,000 Ariary for 60 days, and 140,000 Ariary for 90 days. These amounts convert to approximately 18, 23, and 32 US dollars respectively, though exchange rate fluctuations affect precise conversions. Payment at Ivato International Airport accepts Euros, US dollars, and Ariary, with change typically provided in Ariary. Credit card payment infrastructure exists at Ivato but functions inconsistently, making cash the reliable payment method. The visa-on-arrival counter at Antananarivo operates 24 hours to accommodate all arriving international flights. Processing time averages 20 to 45 minutes during standard flight arrival periods and can extend beyond one hour when multiple wide-body aircraft arrive simultaneously.
Passport validity requirements specify six months remaining validity from date of entry, a standard maintained since Madagascar joined international passport conventions in 1963. The passport must contain at least two blank pages for entry and exit stamps. Immigration officers physically stamp passports with entry dates and visa expiration dates, making the stamp the definitive record of authorized stay duration. Extensions beyond the initial visa period require application at immigration offices in Antananarivo, Toamasina, Mahajanga, Antsiranana, Toliara, or Fianarantsoa. Extension applications must be submitted at least one week before the current visa expires. Extension fees match the original visa fee structure. Overstaying a visa results in fines of 300,000 Ariary per month or fraction thereof, payable before departure at the airport immigration office.
The visa exemption category includes only a limited set of countries. Citizens of Mauritius, Seychelles, and other Indian Ocean Commission member states enjoy visa-free entry for stays up to 90 days under regional agreements established in 1982. Diplomatic and official passport holders from various countries enter visa-free under bilateral agreements, but these exemptions do not extend to ordinary passport holders from the same countries. The reciprocal visa waiver program Madagascar maintains with Mauritius and Seychelles specifically excludes employment or commercial activities, restricting visa-free stays to tourism and family visits.
Business visas require a formal invitation letter from a Madagascar-registered company or organization and cannot be obtained on arrival. Business visa applications proceed through Madagascar embassies abroad, requiring 5 to 15 business days for processing depending on the embassy location. The Malagasy Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains embassies in France, United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, China, India, and approximately 20 other countries. Business visas permit stays of 30 to 90 days with single or multiple entry options. The multiple-entry business visa costs approximately 50 percent more than equivalent-duration single-entry visas. Business visa holders must register with the Ministry of Public Service, Labor and Social Laws within 72 hours of arrival if the stay exceeds 30 days, a requirement enforced through hotel registration systems in Antananarivo.
Travelers arriving from countries where yellow fever is endemic must present valid yellow fever vaccination certificates. Madagascar added this requirement in 1967 following yellow fever transmission incidents in coastal regions. The requirement applies to arrivals from all of sub-Saharan Africa, parts of South America, and travelers who have transited through yellow fever endemic countries for more than 12 hours. Immigration officers physically inspect vaccination certificates at the primary document check before visa counters. Travelers without required yellow fever certificates face quarantine at port health facilities until return flights can be arranged, with costs borne by the traveler. The quarantine facility at Ivato International Airport consists of a single room with six beds, making immediate return flights the practical outcome for rejected travelers.
Land border crossings between Madagascar and mainland Africa do not exist due to the Mozambique Channel separating the island from the continent by approximately 400 kilometers at the narrowest point. The only international borders are maritime and air connections. However, travelers arriving by private yacht must clear customs and immigration at designated ports of entry: Toamasina, Mahajanga, Antsiranana, Toliara, and Hell-Ville on Nosy Be. Yacht arrivals require 48 hours advance notice to port authorities through VHF radio channel 16 or email to the port captain. Private aircraft require landing permits obtained through advance application to the Madagascar Civil Aviation Authority, with processing times of two to four weeks. Landing permits cost between 200 and 600 US dollars depending on aircraft weight and stay duration.
Customs declaration forms distributed on arriving international flights require disclosure of currency amounts exceeding 10,000 Euros or equivalent. Madagascar law prohibits import of weapons, narcotics, pornographic materials, and counterfeit goods through standard international prohibitions. Export restrictions apply to lemurs, tortoises, chameleons, and all endemic species under CITES regulations Madagascar ratified in 1975. Export of rocks and minerals requires permits from the Ministry of Mines. Export of precious and semi-precious stones cut or uncut requires certification of legal purchase, with sapphires and other gems subject to specific export taxes calculated by weight and declared value. Travelers caught attempting to export protected species face criminal charges under Madagascar Law 2015-005 on wildlife trafficking, which establishes minimum sentences of two years imprisonment and fines of 200 million Ariary.
The departure tax previously charged as a separate airport fee was incorporated into ticket prices for most international carriers in 2018. Passengers departing on tickets issued before the integration paid 30,000 Ariary departure tax at dedicated airport counters, but this practice ended for tickets issued after January 2018. Some regional carriers operating routes to Réunion, Mauritius, and Comoros still collect departure taxes separately at check-in. The tax amount varies by destination and carrier but typically falls between 20,000 and 40,000 Ariary for regional flights.
Minors under 18 traveling without both parents require notarized parental consent letters. Madagascar immigration implemented this requirement in 2012 following international protocols on child trafficking prevention. The consent letter must name the accompanying adult, specify travel dates, and include contact information for the absent parent or parents. Single parents traveling with children should carry custody documents or death certificates if applicable. Immigration officers exercise discretion in enforcing this requirement, with stricter application for unaccompanied minors or children traveling with non-parental adults.
Travel to certain regions requires additional permits beyond entry visas. Masoala National Park access requires permits obtained from Madagascar National Parks offices in Antananarivo or Maroantsetra. The Tsingy de Bemaraha UNESCO World Heritage Site requires entry permits purchased at park gates or advance-booked through tour operators. These permits are park entry fees rather than travel restrictions, but rangers deny access without valid permits. Research permits for scientific work in protected areas require approval from Madagascar National Parks and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, with application processing times of one to three months.