Madagascar Business Visa - Definitive Guide

Whenever there are businessmen who have plans to visit Madagascar for business related purposes, a business visa for Madagascar is issued for the individual. There are several benefits to this permit. On this visa, the holder is allowed to attend business conferences and exhibitions, a business meeting for a branch of your own organization or a sister company, or attend client meetings and other business errands.

The validity of the permit when acquired online is three months and the duration of stay is 30 days. This is when applied online or for a visa on arrival. Also, it is a single entry permit. If you have applied offline, the validity as well as the duration of the stay will differ and you can even get a multiple entry permit.

Before applying for the permit, you need to make sure that you are an eligible candidate for a business visa for Madagascar. There are multiple ways to acquire a Madagascar business visa from India. The application can be made online or the permit can be acquired upon arrival as well. The processes are given as follows:

• E-visa process

1. First visit the official website for the application of Madagascar e-visa.
2. Fill out the visa application form.
3. Attach your recent photograph.
4. Attach scanned copies of the required documents.
5. Submit the application.
6. Pay the required visa fee for processing.
7. Get the application approved.

• Visa on Arrival

1. Download the visa application form.
2. Fill out the form completely and sign it.
3. Carry the application form and other required documents with you to Madagascar.
4. Present the application form and the supporting documents to the Immigration officer.
5. Pay the required fee.
6. Get your passport stamped.

When the application is submitted online, the processing will begin. In case you do get a revert back from the authorities about your permit after the standard processing time, or if there are any issues with the online application, you can get your business visa for Madagascar offline by applying to the Embassy. The process is given as follows:

• Stamp visa process

1. You can start by downloading the visa application form.
2. You can then fill out the required information in the form.
3. Attach a recent photograph as per the photo specifications.
4. Submit the application and supporting documents to the embassy.
5. Pay the required fee for the permit.

There are certain precautions to be taken at the time of filling out the application form. The information must be filled out correctly and should match the details in the travel documents. If there is any information that is found to be false or unverifiable or if there are any other kinds of issues with the application, it will become inadmissible and even get rejected. There are other reasons for a visa rejection as well. In order to avoid or minimise the chances of a visa rejection, a professional visa agency always be hired.

The criteria to be met before applying for a business visa for Madagascar are the eligibility criteria that will specify you as a valid traveller. The application can be made after you match all the required parameters for this permit. These are listed as follows:

• You must have proof of business ownership and purpose of visit

• You must have proper proof of your business enterprise to show it to the authorities.
• If you have been invited to a business conference or to attend a business or client meeting, an invitation letter from the company must be provided to the embassy.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Madagascar.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must meet the character requirements

• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Madagascar.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).
• You must have sufficient funds

• • • You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Madagascar.
    • Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

The documents that are required for the issuance of a business visa for Madagascar will vary as per the process that is being followed. The differentiated Madagascar business visa requirements are listed as follows:

• E-visa requirements

• Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
• Photo as per the photo specifications.
• Confirmed flight tickets.
• Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - Bank statement, etc.
• Visa on arrival requirements

• Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
• Visa application form, duly signed.
• Photo as per the photo specifications.
• Confirmed flight tickets.
• Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
• Proof of sufficient funds - Bank statement, etc.
• Stamp visa requirements

• • • Passport valid for at least 6 months ahead of travel.
    • Visa application form, duly signed.
    • Photo as per the photo specifications.
    • Confirmed flight tickets.
    • Covering letter.
    • Proof of purpose of visit - exhibition pass, invitation letter, etc.
    • Proof of sufficient funds - Bank statement, etc.

• One copy must be provided
• Photo size: 35 mm x 45 mm.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• It must be a JPEG image or of any other supportable format for E visa.
• The face must cover about 70-80% of the frame.
• Head should well-centred.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white.
• Neutral expressions.
• Hair should not hide eyes.
• Both the ears must be visible.
• Teeth should not be visible.
• Glasses are not permitted, except for prescription glasses.
• Eyes must be clearly visible through glasses.
• Must be taken in clear light.
• There should be no red eyes or flashes messing the image.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The time required for the processing of the permit varies depending on the procedure that is being followed. For instance, the time required for an online visa is about 72 hours (3 days), on the other hand, issuing a business permit offline will require about a week or even more than that. There are certain factors that affect the offline visa processing. These include rush at the embassy office, the availability of staff, fulfillment of requirements, among others.

The fees for any kind of procedure is generally paid after the submission of the application form and the documents. In the case of an online permit, the fee is to be paid online after the application and documents are uploaded. For a visa on arrival, the fee is to be paid once you have arrived in Madagascar. The fee is to be paid to the Immigration officer along with the application form and your passport. For a stamp Madagascar business visa for Indian, the fee must be paid to the embassy in cash or a demand draft.

Once the documents and the application form are received by the respective authorities, there are a few that you need to note. Some of the pointers are given as follows:

• If there are any chances that online application takes too long or gets cancelled or rejected, you can try applying through the offline process.
• Also, since the e-visa is not available for all types of permit, you opt for the offline permit even in this case.
• After the submission of the offline application form and the documents, the application will then be reviewed by the Embassy of Madagascar.
• If there are any kind of requirements to be fulfilled, you will be informed accordingly.
• After the approval, processing will begin and you will be granted with the permit.
• If there are any kind of changes to be made in the application or if there is a change of plans and you need to withdraw the application, the Embassy must be known. 
• The visa fee is normally not refundable.

The status of your business visa for Madagascar can be checked online of the e-visa portal or can be checked by contacting the embassy if you have applied offline. You can even check the status by contacting the visa agency if you have applied through one. There is no need to check the status of the visa if it is acquired upon arrival, it is provided upon arrival.

After the completion of the application process, the visa is processed. Once the processing is done, you will receive your e-visa on your registered email ID and the stamp visa is to be collected from the Embassy of Madagascar based in Delhi. When you have finally received your visa, there are a few things that you need to note:

• Before you travel

• Print your e-visa for Madagascar.
• Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Madagascar within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.
• At the Border

• Acquire landing clearance.
• Get your documents and your e-visa/stamp visa verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.
• When you enter Madagascar

• • • Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
    • The business visa does not permit you to employ the residents or reside in the country.
    • It is a permit that allows you to only perform business and business-related operations in the country. You are still permitted tourism.
    • The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
    • Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for the visa extension in time.