Madagascar Visa for Indian - Everything You Need To Know - (Indian Passport Holders)

A visa for Madagascar is issued to the ones who have plans to travel to Madagascar for short term as well as long term purposes.

There are several benefits to this permit. With the respective type of permit, you will be allowed to tour the country, visit your friends and family members, do business in the country, work or study or even live in Madagascar.

The validity and the duration of the stay will also differ as per the type of the visa.

When applying for an Madagascar visa from India, you can choose between two methods: online (e-visa) and offline (via the Oman Embassy or consulate).

1. Online Process (eVisa)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Visit the Madagascar eVisa Portal:
   Go to the official Madagascar eVisa website at evisamada.gov.mg.

2. Create an Account:
   Register by providing your email and setting up a password if it’s your first time using the platform.

3. Fill Out the Application Form:
   Enter your personal information, including your passport details, travel itinerary, and intended date of arrival in Madagascar.

4. Upload Required Documents:

   • Scan of your valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months).
   • Passport-size photo (in digital format).
   • Travel details (flight ticket and accommodation booking).
   • Other supporting documents depending on your visa type (business, tourism, etc.).

5. Pay the Visa Fee:
   Pay the applicable visa fee online using a credit/debit card. The fee depends on the type and duration of the visa.

   • For a 30-day tourist visa, it's around $37 (approx. INR 3,100).
   • Longer stay options will have higher fees.

6. Receive Confirmation:
   After submitting the application and payment, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Processing typically takes 3–7 working days.

7. Download and Print the eVisa:
   Once approved, download the eVisa and print a copy to carry with you. You’ll need to show it upon arrival in Madagascar at immigration.

8. Arrive in Madagascar:
   Present your printed eVisa and passport at the immigration counter. Upon approval, you’ll be allowed entry.

2. Offline Process (Embassy/Consulate)

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Find the Nearest Madagascar Embassy or Consulate:
   Unfortunately, there’s no direct Madagascar embassy in India, so you may need to reach out to nearby embassies, such as those in Mauritius or South Africa. You can also contact Madagascar’s honorary consulates in India or their diplomatic missions in other countries.

2. Gather Required Documents:
   Prepare the following documents for submission:

   • Visa application form (available at the embassy or downloadable from their website).
   • Passport (valid for at least 6 months).
   • 2 passport-size photos (recent).
   • Flight itinerary (round-trip tickets).
   • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation).
   • Proof of funds (bank statement showing financial capability).
   • Travel insurance.

3. Book an Appointment:
   Contact the embassy/consulate to book an appointment for submitting your visa application in person.

4. Submit Your Application:
   Visit the embassy/consulate on the scheduled date and submit your application along with the required documents. You’ll also need to fill out the application form and sign it.

5. Pay the Visa Fee:
   Pay the visa processing fee (typically in cash or as per the consulate’s instructions). Fees vary based on the type and length of visa.

6. Wait for Processing:
   The embassy typically takes 5–10 working days to process the visa. During this time, your application will be reviewed.

7. Collect Your Visa:
   Once your visa is approved, you will be notified to collect your passport with the visa stamped. Alternatively, some embassies may mail it back to you.

8. Travel to Madagascar:
   Once you have the visa in your passport, you can travel to Madagascar and present your passport at immigration on arrival.

There are different kinds of permits that are issued for Madagascar. These differ depending on the validity, duration of stay, purpose of the visit, and others. Some of the common types of Madagascar visa for Indian travellers are listed as follows:

• Madagascar Tourist Visa - A tourist visa for Madagascar is issued to the travellers who are willing to visit the country for the sole purpose of leisure. This is mostly provided to the tourists and foreigners who have plans of sightseeing and other leisure activities in Madagascar.
• Madagascar Business Visa - A business visa for Madagascar is provided to the business people who are planning to visit the country to carry out business activities. The process follows to get this permit is generally prior to arrival and the validity can vary as well.

There are different kinds of documents required for Madagascar visa from India. These can be differentiated as per the process that is being followed for the application. The Madagascar visa requirements are given below:

• 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 fee is normally paid after the submission of the application form and the documents. For an e-visa, the fee is to be paid online as per the type of the permit. 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 visa for Madagascar from India, the fee must be paid to the embassy in cash or a demand draft.

The status of your 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 have to apply online to the e-visa portal to get a visa for Madagascar. The offline application is made to the Embassy of Madagascar based in Delhi. There are other ways for application as well. You can get a visa on arrival or apply through a visa application centre or third party as well. Most importantly, it needs to be ensured that the application is submitted well in advance so that the processing is done in time.

At times, the process may seem complicated and the formalities involved can seem difficult to be carried out individually. In such cases, professional visa consultation can be considered from the visa agencies. This will allow you to have your documents handled professionally and the procedure may even be quicker than the normal process.