eVisa Madagascar

Since the February 16, 2026, the Malagasy authorities have tripled the price of a 15-day visa from USD 10 to 35 USD. Other durations remain unchanged. This increase makes the short-stay visa almost as expensive as the 30-day visa (USD 40), a clear signal to travelers to opt for a longer duration.
The eVisa is issued under 72 hours after validation of the request.

This is a single-entry electronic travel authorization, valid for Madagascar's international airports. Everything is done entirely online: you don't have to send anything by post, and you don't have to go anywhere. The agreement takes the form of a PDF authorization to be presented at the arrival airport.

The passport must have a valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Madagascar and have at least 2 blank pages in a row.

Do I need a visa to enter Madagascar?

Yes, systematically. Madagascar is one of the few countries in the world not to grant visa exemption, whatever the nationality of the traveler. Whether you are French, Belgian, Swiss, Canadian, American or of any other nationality, a visa is required to enter Madagascar - even for a one-day stay.

The good news: almost all nationalities are eligible for eVisa and visa-on-arrival. Only Burundi and Palestine cannot benefit from these simplified arrangements, and must apply to a Madagascan embassy before departure.

Holders of a Malagasy passport or Madagascar permanent resident card do not need a visa.

• Passport valid at least 6 months after the date of arrival in Madagascar
• Blank pages : minimum 2 consecutive pages available for pads
• Return or onward ticket Required at boarding and immigration
• Proof of accommodation can be requested (hotel reservation, reception address)
• Sufficient financial resources authorities may ask for proof of solvency

What types of visa are available for Madagascar?

Madagascar offers several categories of visa, depending on the purpose and length of stay. Here's a complete overview.

eVisa tourism (online)

The most common visa for travelers. Fully online application on the official portal evisamada-mg.com. Available in four durations

Issued within 72 hours of validation. Single entry only.

Visa on arrival (airport)

Identical to the eVisa in terms of duration and price, but obtained directly from the immigration counter at the airport. Payment in cash only (USD, EUR or Malagasy Ariary). Credit cards are not accepted.

Advantage : no prior action required.
Disadvantage These include potentially long queues, no guarantee of approval (even if refusals are rare), and the impossibility of paying by card.

Convertible visa (embassy)

Issued by Madagascar's embassies and consulates prior to departure. Initial validity of 30 days, but can be extended to converted to a long-stay visa once in Madagascar, with the Service de l'Immigration et de l'Émigration (Ministry of the Interior). Cost: approx. 70 EUR.

This is the only visa that allows you to extend your stay. If you're planning a stay of more than 60 days, this is the best option.

eVisa Madagascar: how to apply online

The eVisa Madagascar is applied for via the official portal managed by the Service du Tourisme, de l'Immigration et de l'Émigration of the Republic of Madagascar, or via an agency such as Visamundi.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Create an account on the official portal with a valid email address
2. Fill in the form civil status, passport number, travel dates, address of accommodation in Madagascar
3. Upload your documents color scan of passport ID page and recent passport photo
4. Pay online by credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
5. Receive authorization by email within 72 hours of validation
6. Print PDF or keep it on your smartphone - it will be checked on arrival at the dedicated eVisa counter

Important rules to know

The application must be submitted between 1 week and 6 months before departure date
Allow a minimum of 72 hours before arrival to apply

The eVisa is single entry If you leave Madagascar, even for an excursion to the Comoros, you will need a new visa on your return The travel dates indicated on the application form cannot be changed after it has been issued - if your dates change, you will need to reapply.

In the event of an error on the form (typing error on the name, wrong passport number), the visa may be refused on arrival.

The pitfalls of online applications

The official site can be slow or temporarily unavailable: don't leave it to the last minute
Photos must meet strict standards format 3/4, dimensions 35-45 mm × 45-55 mm, plain light background, no glasses (except medical certificate), religious headgear allowed if it does not obscure the face
Confirmation email may end up in your spam folder: check it regularly
No modification possible after payment: triple-check before validating

Going through an agency removes these constraints, The additional cost is often more than offset by the service provided. Visa on arrival (Visa on Arrival) is the alternative for those who have not applied online. It is issued at immigration counters at international airports.

Airports accepting visa on arrival or e-visa

Basically, all international airports...

Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo) - TNR - the main point of entry
Fascene Airport (Nosy Be) - NOS - second international airport
Sainte-Marie Airport (Île Sainte-Marie) - SMS
Arrachart Airport (Diégo-Suarez / Antsiranana) - DIE
Toliara Airport (Tuléar) - TLE
Mahajanga Airport - MJN
Fort-Dauphin Airport (Tolagnaro) - FTU
Mananjary Airport - MNJ

Step by step to the airport

You get off the plane. You cross the gangway. And that's where it all begins.
Before the immigration counter, Look out for the «Visa on Arrival» or «eVisa» counter - it is separate from the resident queue.
Present your passport, your return ticket and the exact amount in cash (USD, EUR or MGA)
Fill in the arrival form distributed on the plane or available at the counter
The agent checks your documents, takes your fingerprints and affixes the visa to your passport
Baggage claim and clear customs
Average time: 20 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Charter flights from Europe or La Réunion can create significant waiting times.

Pitfalls to be aware of when applying at the airport

• Cash only. No card payment terminal. Bring the exact amount or small denominations. Agents in Ivato regularly refuse to accept crumpled or damaged bills, especially dollars.
• USD 100 banknotes Cash: often refused by Malagasy banks and shops. Prefer denominations of 20 or 50 USD.
• No guarantee of approval Although the refusal rate is estimated at only 2-3 %, a visa on arrival remains discretionary. A passport expiring in less than 6 months, lack of a return ticket or inability to pay are all grounds for refusal.
• No extension possible visa on arrival: unlike the convertible visa (embassy), the visa on arrival cannot be extended on arrival.

Diplomats and officials of international organizations : exempt from visa fees

Required documents for Madagascar visa

Here is the complete list of documents required, depending on the application channel.

For eVisa (online application)

• Valid passport - minimum validity of 6 months after the date of entry into Madagascar, with at least 2 consecutive blank pages
• Recent digital ID photo - format 3/4, dimensions 35-45 mm (width) × 45-55 mm (height), plain light background, no glasses unless medical certificate, religious headgear authorized if face remains unobstructed
• Valid email address - to receive travel authorization
• Credit card - for online payment
• Travel itinerary - arrival and departure dates, flight confirmation

For visa on arrival (airport)

• Valid passport - same conditions as above
• Return or onward air ticket - mandatory, can be checked by the airline upon boarding
• Species - exact visa fee in USD, EUR or MGA
• Proof of accommodation - hotel reservation or address of your place of stay (may be requested)
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate - only if you are arriving from a high-risk country (see vaccines section)

Additional documents according to reason

Business Visa invitation letter from Malagasy company, business card, bank statements
Long-stay visa The following documents are required: clean criminal record, medical certificate (depending on the reason), supporting documents specific to the reason (employment contract, university enrolment, etc.).
Minors Notarized parental authorization (in French), copy of birth certificate

How long does it take to obtain a Madagascar visa?

Recommendation Visamundi Apply for your eVisa at the very least 2 weeks before departure to absorb any unforeseen events (rejection due to input error, extended lead times during peak season, temporary unavailability of the portal).

What no one tells you before you arrive in Madagascar

Currency exchange and banknotes

Madagascar's economy is essentially based on cash. ATMs accepting Visa cards are available in the major cities (Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Mahajanga, Nosy Be), but are rare elsewhere. Withdrawal limits are often limited to 400,000 - 800,000 MGA per transaction (~85-170 USD).

Advice :
Bring some euros or dollars in small denominations (20, 50) in good condition. Avoid 100 USD bills (frequently refused). Exchange rates are better at Antananarivo exchange offices than at the airport. Payments by mobile money (MVola, Orange Money, Airtel Money) are expanding rapidly.

Currency declaration

Passengers carrying the equivalent of USD 1,160 or more must declare their currency to customs on arrival. In excess of 7,500 EUR, declaration is mandatory.

Safety at Ivato

Antananarivo-Ivato airport has been renovated in recent years, but remains modest by international standards.

A few precautions:
Keep your documents at hand (passport, printed eVisa, return ticket) before leaving the aircraft
Refuse unsolicited «help» from people posing as agents (real agents are behind official counters).

A official cab to downtown Antananarivo costs between 50,000 and 80,000 MGA (~11-17 USD). Negotiate the price before you get on.

Buy a local SIM card (Telma, Orange, Airtel) from the airport for around 5,000 MGA (~1 USD). 4G coverage is good in major cities, limited in rural areas.

Madagascar Embassies and Consulates

Embassy of Madagascar in Paris (France)

Address: 4, Avenue Raphaël, 75016 Paris
Phone : +33 1 45 04 62 11 / +33 1 82 83 92 00
Service consulaire : +33 6 83 78 95 70
Email : ambamad-paris@diplomatie.gov.mg
Opening hours : Monday-Friday, 09:00-17:00 (visa reception: 10:00-16:00)

Embassy of Madagascar in Washington DC (United States)

Address: 2374 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, DC 20008
Phone : +1-202-265-5525
Email : malagasy@embassy.org
Visa processing : 7 working days by post (enclose prepaid envelope)
Please note: closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays for visa applications

Embassy of Madagascar in London (United Kingdom)

Address: One Knightsbridge Green, 5th Floor, London SW1X 7QA
Site : mdg-london.org
Jurisdiction : United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden