Madagascar entry requirements for United Arab Emirates passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 24, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
UAE passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Madagascar — no need to apply in advance. Just show up at the airport with your passport and a return ticket, pay the fee, and you're in. This has been the policy since at least 2024.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | Get your visa on arrival at Antananarivo (TNR) and Nosy Be (NOS) airports. Pay in cash — EUR or USD — around €35 for 30 days. Have a passport photo ready.Check eVisa portal | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Madagascar. Airlines check this at check-in. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Required for entry | Immigration officers ask for proof of onward travel — a return flight or a ticket to your next destination. Airlines also check this before boarding. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Recommended | Have a hotel booking or a letter of invitation ready. Officers rarely ask, but having it printed speeds things up. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Recommended | Carry enough cash or a credit card to cover your stay — roughly $50 per day. Officers rarely check, but it's safer to have it. | Recommended |
Cash only at visa counter
The visa-on-arrival fee must be paid in cash (EUR or USD). ATMs are available after immigration, but you can't use them before paying. Bring small bills — no coins.
Visa is single-entry
The visa on arrival is valid for a single entry. If you leave Madagascar (even for a day trip to Réunion), you'll need to pay for a new visa when you return.
What happens at the border
1
Land at Ivato International Airport (TNR)
After deplaning, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' counter before passport control. Queue here — it can take 20–40 minutes during peak hours.
2
Fill out the visa application form
A short form asking for name, passport number, flight details, and address in Madagascar. Pen is provided but bring your own just in case.
3
Pay the visa fee
Hand over your passport, form, and cash (EUR or USD). The officer will process payment and issue a receipt. Keep it.
4
Receive your visa sticker
The visa is stamped into your passport. Check the validity dates before walking away. Typical duration is 30 days.
5
Proceed to passport control
Show your passport with the fresh visa and your boarding pass. You may be asked for your return ticket — have it ready on your phone.
6
Collect luggage and exit
Baggage claim is just past passport control. Customs is usually a green channel — no declaration unless you have restricted items.
Download Madagascar Entry Checklist
PDF · United Arab Emirates Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 24, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable once for 30 days
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€35 (~$38 USD)
Apply at embassy or online; extension possible at immigration office.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days total (max 30 days per entry)
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€70 (~$76 USD)
Suitable for travellers planning multiple visits.
Long-stay visa (visiteur)
Max stayUp to 1 year
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost€150 (~$163 USD)
Requires proof of sufficient funds and accommodation; renewable.
retirement visa
Carte de Séjour Retraité
1 year, renewable annually
~€150 (~$163 USD) per year
For retirees aged 55+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds. Allows long-term stay but not employment. Requires annual renewal.
investor visa
Investor Permit
Up to 5 years
~€500 (~$544 USD) initial fee
For individuals investing at least €100,000 in Madagascar. Includes family members. Must provide business plan and proof of investment.
work visa
Travail Permit
1 year, renewable
~€200 (~$218 USD) plus employer fees
For those with a job offer from a Malagasy company. Requires work contract and approval from Ministry of Labour.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in cash (Euros or USD) upon arrival at Antananarivo airport. | €35 (~$38 USD) |
| Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)Can be obtained online or at embassy before travel. | €35 (~$38 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries; validity up to 3 months. | €70 (~$76 USD) |
| Overstay fineCharged for each day over the allowed stay; no official cap. | €10 (~$11 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete travel documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Madagascar
No transit visa needed
United Arab Emirates passport holders transiting through Madagascar do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. For landside transit or leaving the airport, a visa on arrival is required.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsIvato International Airport (TNR) · Nosy Be Fascene Airport (NOS)
Health & vaccines for Madagascar
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsiderCholeraConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country, especially in coastal and rural areas.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occurs in urban and semi-urban areas; mosquito avoidance recommended.
SchistosomiasisModerate risk
Risk from swimming in fresh water; avoid contact with untreated water.
Malaria risk: high
Prophylaxis recommended for all travellers, especially in rural areas. Use mosquito repellent and bed nets.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Antananarivo
Direction Générale de l'Immigration et de l'Émigration
Anosy, Antananarivo 101
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency permits. Bring passport, photos, and fee.
Nosy Be
Immigration Office Nosy Be
Hell-Ville, Nosy Be
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:00
Handles extensions for tourists on the island; less crowded than Antananarivo.
Practical information for AE travellers
Country basics
CapitalAntananarivo
LanguageMalagasy, French
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyMalagasy ariary (MGA)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4,199.43 MGA
Time zone
Local timeUTC+3
vs New York+8h
vs Los Angeles+11h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,ETypes C and E, same as in Europe.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The fee is typically around €35 (or equivalent in USD). Pay in cash at the visa counter. Credit cards are not accepted.
No, the visa on arrival is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must leave the country and re-enter, or apply for a longer-term visa at the immigration office in Antananarivo before your 30 days expire.
You will be denied boarding by the airline and entry by immigration. Renew your passport before traveling.
Only if you are arriving from a country with yellow fever risk. UAE is not a risk country, so no vaccine is required for direct travel. But if you've been in a yellow fever zone recently, you'll need the certificate.
Yes, all international airports (Ivato in Antananarivo, Fascene in Nosy Be, and others) offer visa on arrival for UAE passport holders.
No official e-visa is available. The visa on arrival is the standard method. No need to apply online.
Your passport, completed visa form, cash for the fee, and your return ticket (screenshot or printed). Accommodation proof is rarely asked but good to have.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 24, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.