Madagascar entry requirements for Latvia passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 19, 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

Latvian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Madagascar. Show up at the airport, pay the fee in cash, and get your visa stamped in your passport on the spot. As of 2025, this is the standard process for tourists.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
eVisa application
Apply online before travel
Apply for your Madagascar eVisa at visa.madagascar.travel. The eVisa is valid for 30 days and costs around $35 USD. Processing takes 1–3 business days — apply at least a week before your flight.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay
Your Latvian passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Madagascar. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Madagascar
Immigration officers at Ivato Airport in Antananarivo routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or show it on your phone — they check this before stamping you in.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Immigration may ask for it if you look uncertain about where you're staying — having it ready avoids delays.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself
Have at least $200 USD in cash or a credit card statement ready. Officers rarely ask for it, but if they do, you'll need to show you have enough for your stay.Recommended
Cash only for visa on arrival
The visa fee must be paid in cash — euros or US dollars. No credit cards, no ATMs at the counter. Bring exact change if possible. There is an ATM in the arrivals hall, but it may not always work or have enough cash.
Visa on arrival is straightforward
The process at Ivato Airport is well-established for tourists. The queue moves quickly, and the officers are used to handling Latvian passports. Just have your documents ready and cash in hand.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at Ivato International Airport (TNR)
After landing, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. You'll see a counter before the main passport control queue. Join that line.
2
Submit documents and pay
Hand over your passport, completed arrival card (given on the plane), and the visa fee in cash. The officer will process your visa — takes about 5–10 minutes.
3
Get your visa sticker
The officer will affix a visa sticker into your passport, stamp it, and hand it back. Check the validity dates before walking away.
4
Proceed to passport control
Now go to the main passport control queue. Show your passport with the new visa. The officer will stamp you in. That's it — you're in.
Download Madagascar Entry Checklist
PDF · Latvia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 19, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost€50 (approx. $55 USD)

Apply at Madagascar embassy/consulate before travel; allows longer stay than VoA.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
Cost€100 (approx. $110 USD)

For frequent visitors; must be arranged in advance.

Long-stay visa (visiteur)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€200 (approx. $220 USD)

Requires proof of sufficient funds and local sponsor; renewable.

retirement visa
Carte de Séjour Retraité (Retirement Residence Permit)
1 year, renewable annually
~€200 (approx. $220 USD) per year
For retirees aged 50+ with proof of pension or sufficient funds (approx. €500/month). Allows long-term stay but not work. Requires local address and health insurance.
investor visa
Investor Residence Permit
2–5 years, renewable
~€1,000 (approx. $1,100 USD) initial fee
For individuals investing at least €100,000 in a local business or real estate. Includes family members. Must provide business plan and proof of funds.
work visa
Travail (Work Visa)
1 year, renewable
~€150 (approx. $165 USD) plus employer fees
Requires a job offer from a Malagasy company and work permit approval. Employer sponsors the application. Valid for specific employer and role.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Visa on Arrival (single entry, up to 30 days)Payable in cash (EUR, USD, or MGA) upon arrival at major airports.€35 (approx. $38 USD)
Visa on Arrival (single entry, up to 60 days)Available at same points; longer stay requires higher fee.€40 (approx. $44 USD)
Overstay fineNo maximum cap reported; pay at immigration office before departure.€10 per day (approx. $11 USD)

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete 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

Latvia passport holders transiting through Madagascar do not need a visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. For landside transit or overnight stays, a visa on arrival is required.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • Holders of a valid visa for Madagascar may transit without additional visa.
Transit hubsIvato International Airport (TNR), Antananarivo · Fascene Airport (NOS), Nosy Be

Health & vaccines for Madagascar

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk; certificate must be presented.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsiderCholeraConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Widespread throughout the country, including urban areas; prophylaxis strongly recommended.

Dengue FeverModerate risk

Outbreaks occur, especially in rainy season; use mosquito repellent.

SchistosomiasisModerate risk

Risk from swimming in freshwater lakes and rivers; avoid contact with untreated water.

Malaria risk: high

Malaria is present throughout Madagascar, including cities. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is recommended for all travellers.

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 overstay payments; 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; smaller office, expect longer waits.

Practical information for LV 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 = 4,186.8 MGA
updated May 20
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
Police117
Medical124
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

The fee is about €35–€40 for a 30-day tourist visa. You must pay in cash — euros or US dollars are accepted. Credit cards are not accepted at the visa counter. Bring exact change if possible.
Yes, you can extend your visa once you're in the country. Visit the immigration office in Antananarivo (or major cities) to apply. Extensions are typically granted for 30 more days and cost around MGA 100,000–150,000 (roughly €20–€30). Start the process at least a week before your visa expires.
Visa on arrival is available at Ivato International Airport (TNR) in Antananarivo and at Nosy Be Airport. If you arrive by boat (e.g., ferry from Mayotte or Comoros), you may need to arrange a visa in advance — check with the nearest Malagasy embassy before you travel.
If you're arriving from a country with yellow fever (or have transited through one for more than 12 hours), you need a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Latvia is not a yellow fever country, so you only need it if your travel history includes affected areas. Otherwise, no vaccine is required for entry.
The standard visa on arrival is valid for 30 days. If you need longer, you can apply for a 60-day visa on arrival — just ask at the counter and pay a higher fee (around €60–€70). Alternatively, get a 30-day visa and extend it later at the immigration office.
You'll need your passport (valid 6+ months, with a blank page), a completed arrival card (given on the plane), and cash for the fee. Immigration may also ask for your return ticket and first night hotel booking — have them ready on your phone or printed.
Yes, it's normal. Keep the cash in a secure money belt or hidden pouch. The visa counter is inside the airport, so it's a controlled environment. Don't flash it around outside the airport.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 19, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.