Entry/Exit Requirements

A passport and visa are required. Tourists staying in Madagascar for fewer than 30 days will be able to receive a free visa upon arrival. Travelers staying for longer or who require a transformable visa are not eligible for this service, since visas obtained at the airport cannot be extended. Visas are available at all airports servicing international flights, but travelers who opt to obtain a visa at an airport should expect delays upon arrival. Visitors can also obtain visas from the Embassy of Madagascar in Washington, D.C. 2374 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20008-2852; telephone (202) 265-5525/6. Visas issued by the Embassy of Madagascar in Washington, D.C., are extendable within Madagascar. Please be advised that in order to extend a visa within Madagascar, the Malagasy government requires the submission of a current police certificate from the United States; such a certificate is available from the U.S. Department of Justice but cannot be provided by the U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo. Visa overstays are a violation of local laws and U.S. citizens who overstay their visas will be subject to fines and potentially prosecution.  The Embassy cannot intervene in such cases to arrange for your exit from the country.  All U.S. citizens must have at least one blank page and six months validity in their passport to gain admittance to Madagascar. Visa fees can be paid in

U.S. Dollars, Euros, or Malagasy Ariary. Credit cards are not accepted. Most international flights arrive in Antananarivo, but there are some limited international flights to/from the nearby islands of Comoros, Mayotte, and Reunion from airports in Mahajanga, Toamasina (Tamatave), Nosy Be, Tolagnaro (Ft. Dauphin), and Antsiranana (Diego Suarez). There are also direct flights between Italy and Nosy Be. Evidence of yellow fever immunization is required for all travelers who have been in an infected zone within six months of their arrival in Madagascar.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Madagascar.

Travelers may obtain the latest information and details on entry requirements from the Embassy of Madagascar, 2374 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, D.C. 20008; telephone (202) 265-5525/6; or the Malagasy Consulate in New York City, telephone (212) 986-9491. Honorary consuls of Madagascar are located in Philadelphia and San Diego. Overseas, inquiries may be made at the nearest Malagasy embassy or consulate. Visit the Embassy of Madagascar’s website for the most current visa information.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.