Madagascar Tourist Visa - Definitive Guide

A tourist visa for Madagascar is issued to the travellers who have plans to visit the country for purposes such as tourism, and other leisure activities. The holder is even permitted to visit their friends and family members living in Madagascar. There are several other benefits to this permit. The initial validity of the permit is three months, allowing a stay of 30 days. This is a single entry permit and can be obtained online or on arrival. If a multiple entry permit is required, the application for a tourist visa for Madagascar must be made offline to the Embassy. Also note that having a visa doesn’t guarantee you an entry through the border, you need to meet the criteria to be able to cross the border.

To be able to get a Madagascar tourist visa for Indian nationals, you must be eligible for the same. There are multiple ways to apply for the permit. Mainly it is applied online or can be acquired upon arrival in Madagascar. The detailed procedures to get a tourist visa for Madagascar from India 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.

The processing of the permit will take time and only begin once the application is approved. If there are any kind of complications in the application or if you do not get a response from the e-visa portal even after the standard processing time, you can apply for a tourist visa for Madagascar offline to the Madagascan Embassy. The offline process for the permit 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.

At the time of filling out any of the applications, be it online or offline, there are a few precautions that are to be taken. The information to be filled out in the application form should match the details in the travel documents. The information should also be correct and verifiable. If there are any kind of issues found with the application, there are chances that the application will become inadmissible and will get rejected. There may be other causes for a visa rejection as well. In order to minimize the chances of visa rejection, you can hire professionals to do the application for you

To get a tourist visa for Madagascar, there are certain parameters and criteria that must be met. The parameters will help you understand the requirements of the visa and the process involved. Some of the general pointers are given as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit

• If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Madagascar.
• You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.
• You must meet the health requirements

• You must be healthy enough to travel to Madagascar.
• You must perform a medical test before traveling to the country and provide 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 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.
    • A bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

The document requirements for the of a tourist visa for Madagascar will differ as per the process that is being followed. The differentiated Madagascar tourist visa requirements are given 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.
• A 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.
• The head should well-centered.
• 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 processing time will vary depending on the process that is being followed. For an e-visa, the processing time is 72 hours. It may take longer at times as well. However, in the case of a stamp visa, the processing time is affected by certain factors that include the workload at the embassy, availability of staff, processing requirements, holidays apart from the weekends and others. Therefore, the processing time needed to issue a tourist visa for Madagascar offline is longer than online

The Madagascar tourist visa cost for any kind of permit is generally paid after the submission of the application form and the documents. For an online permit, the fee is to be paid online. In the case of 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 tourist visa for Indian, the fee must be paid to the embassy in cash or a demand draft

When the documents have been submitted, the processing shall begin. There are a few things that must be noted during this period:

• 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 tourist 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.

You will receive your visa after the processing of the application. The e-visa will emailed to you on the registered email ID. The stamp visa can be collected directly from the Embassy. When you have your tourist visa for Madagascar, there are a few things that you need to note travelling to Madagascar. Some of the pointers are given as follows:

• 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 tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
    • Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.