Madagascar (MG)

World's fourth-largest island, Madagascar offers extraordinary biodiversity (90% of wildlife found nowhere else), one of the world's lowest costs of living, warm French-speaking culture, and unique opportunities in vanilla, ecotourism, and development sectors.

Capital: Antananarivo

Region: Africa

Language: Malagasy

Currency: MGA (Ar)

Cost of living: Very affordable (index 15)

Emergency: 117

Visa & Immigration

Entry and residence options for Madagascar.

Visa-Free Access

Citizens of most EU/EEA countries, USA, Canada, UK, Australia, Japan, and many others can enter Madagascar visa-free for up to 90 days. A free tourist visa is issued on arrival at Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo) and Fascene Airport (Nosy Be) for eligible nationalities. The initial grant is 30 days, extendable up to 90 days total at the DGDI (Direction Générale de la Décentralisation et de l'Immigration) in Antananarivo. Over 60 nationalities are eligible for visa-on-arrival. Check the Madagascar embassy website or the DGDI for the current list.

All long-stay authorisations (Titre de Séjour) are processed at the DGDI (Direction Générale de la Décentralisation et de l'Immigration), Rue Fernand Kasanga, Tsaralalàna, Antananarivo. Bring originals and copies of all documents. Processes can be slow — build in 4–10 weeks. A local Malagasy lawyer or the EDBM can assist with paperwork. All foreign documents must be apostilled and officially translated into French. Overstaying a visa results in fines, possible detention, and potential deportation. Madagascar does not have a straightforward path to permanent residency or citizenship for most foreigners.

Tourist Visa (Visa Touristique)

Visa Touristique — Visa à l'Arrivée

Free (visa on arrival at airport)

Duration: 30 days on arrival, extendable to 90 days

Eligibility

Citizens of eligible nationalities entering for tourism, family visits, or short stays

Processing time

15–30 minutes at airport immigration

Requirements

✓Valid passport (6+ months validity)
✓Return or onward ticket
✓Proof of accommodation (hotel booking)
✓Proof of sufficient funds
✓Completed arrival card

💡 Extendable at DGDI Antananarivo (Rue Fernand Kasanga, Tsaralalàna) before expiry. Extension fee approximately Ar 100,000–200,000. Do not overstay — fines and potential detention apply.

Long-Stay Visa (Visa de Long Séjour — VLS)

Visa de Long Séjour (VLS)

Approximately USD 80–120 (varies by nationality and embassy)

Duration: Up to 1 year; must be converted to a Titre de Séjour in-country

Eligibility

Foreign nationals intending to reside in Madagascar for more than 90 days (employment, self-employment, family reunification, retirement, study)

Processing time

2–6 weeks at Malagasy embassy in home country

Requirements

✓Valid passport (6+ months beyond visa validity)
✓Completed application form
✓Biometric photos
✓Purpose-specific supporting documents (employment contract, company registration, family documents, etc.)
✓Proof of accommodation in Madagascar
✓Proof of sufficient funds or salary
✓Police clearance certificate (apostilled)
✓Medical certificate

💡 Apply at the nearest Malagasy embassy or consulate before departure. A VLS must be converted to a Titre de Séjour within the first 2 months of arrival at the DGDI in Antananarivo.

Employment Visa / Titre de Séjour (Travail)

Titre de Séjour — Carte de Résident (Travail)

Approximately Ar 100,000–300,000/year (government stamp fees)

Duration: 1 year, renewable annually

Eligibility

Foreign employees with a valid Permis de Travail issued by the Ministère du Travail

Processing time

4–8 weeks at DGDI

Requirements

✓VLS or entry stamp
✓Valid Permis de Travail (work permit from Ministère du Travail)
✓Employment contract (visé by OMEF/Ministère du Travail)
✓Company registration documents
✓Proof of accommodation (lease agreement)
✓Police clearance (apostilled and French-translated)
✓Medical certificate from approved physician
✓Biometric photos
✓Completed Titre de Séjour application

💡 Titre de Séjour (Travail) is employer-specific and tied to the Permis de Travail. Changing employers requires a new Permis de Travail and updated Titre de Séjour. Carry a copy of your titre at all times.

Self-Employment / Investor Titre de Séjour

Titre de Séjour — Investisseur / Commerçant

Approximately Ar 150,000–350,000/year

Duration: 1 year, renewable

Eligibility

Foreign entrepreneurs who have registered a Malagasy company (SARL/SARLU) via EDBM and hold a work permit as company director

Processing time

4–8 weeks at DGDI

Requirements

✓EDBM company registration certificate
✓NIF (tax identification number)
✓STAT (statistical number)
✓Company bank account proof
✓Permis de Travail as director
✓Proof of investment / business activity
✓All standard Titre de Séjour documents

💡 Contact the EDBM (edbm.mg) one-stop shop — they can assist with the investor Titre de Séjour process. EDBM provides a liaison service between foreign investors and the DGDI.

Student Visa / Titre de Séjour (Étudiant)

Visa Étudiant / Titre de Séjour Étudiant

USD 60–100 for VLS; Ar 100,000–200,000 for Titre de Séjour

Duration: 1 academic year, renewable

Eligibility

Foreign students enrolled at a Malagasy university or accredited institution

Processing time

4–6 weeks

Requirements

✓Letter of acceptance from Malagasy institution
✓Proof of financial means (bank statement, scholarship letter)
✓Proof of accommodation
✓Standard Titre de Séjour documents

💡 Université d'Antananarivo, INSCAE, and Université de Toamasina are the main public institutions. Private universities also welcome foreign students. No specific work authorisation attached to a student titre de séjour — working requires a separate Permis de Travail.

Retirement Titre de Séjour

Titre de Séjour — Retraité

Approximately Ar 100,000–250,000/year

Duration: 1 year, renewable; long-term residence possible after multiple renewals

Eligibility

Foreign retirees with proof of regular pension income

Processing time

4–8 weeks

Requirements

✓Proof of pension/retirement income (minimum approximately USD 500–800/month)
✓Bank statements showing regular income transfers
✓Proof of accommodation
✓Medical insurance coverage
✓Police clearance (apostilled)
✓Medical certificate

💡 Madagascar has become increasingly popular for early retirees and pensioners seeking a low-cost lifestyle with access to nature. Nosy Be and Antananarivo are the most common destinations. Income requirement is lower than most comparable countries.

No Official Digital Nomad Visa

Digital Nomad

Pas de visa nomade numérique officiel

Tourist: free on arrival. SARL route: Ar 300,000–700,000 setup + Titre de Séjour fees

Duration: N/A — use tourist visa (90 days) or SARL company + investor Titre de Séjour

Eligibility

No dedicated digital nomad visa exists in Madagascar as of 2026

Processing time

Tourist: immediate at airport. SARL + Titre de Séjour: 6–10 weeks

Requirements

✓Tourist route: proof of return ticket, accommodation, and funds
✓SARL route: EDBM company registration, NIF, STAT, business bank account

💡 Digital nomads working for foreign clients typically use the tourist visa (90 days) and rely on remote income. For longer stays, registering an Entreprise Individuelle or SARL via EDBM and obtaining an investor Titre de Séjour is the only legal long-term route. The EDBM one-stop shop (edbm.mg) is very helpful for this process.

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