Madagascar travel advisory today

This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Madagascar’s current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Madagascar set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Madagascar in London.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Madagascar, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive. It must also have at least 2 blank pages.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit Madagascar for up to 15 days without a visa. You must pay a 10-euro administration fee on arrival and be ready to show your onward or return tickets.

Applying for a visa

If you want to stay longer than 15 days, you can buy a 30- or 60-day single-entry tourist visa on arrival at the airport with US dollars, euros or Malagasy ariary.

You can also apply in advance to the Embassy of Madagascar in London for a tourist or immigrant visa.

Make sure you get your passport stamped.

You can extend either of these visas to a maximum total stay of 90 days while you are in Madagascar. If you overstay, you may be detained or deported.

Travelling with children

A child aged 17 or under, travelling without one or either parent must carry written authorisation from the absent parent or parents when leaving Madagascar.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Madagascar, you must have a certificates to prove you’ve had:

• a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk
• a polio vaccine in some circumstances

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Madagascar guide.

Health screening

Cholera

If you are entering Madagascar from a Cholera-affected country, you may be asked by airport authorities to take an anti-cholera drug (Doxcyline). Anyone who is unable to take Doxcyline should be offered an alternative medication by the health authorities.

Alternative medication will be provided to those that:

• are pregnant
• are under 8 years old
• have a pre existing medical condition

You are likely to be asked to leave contact details with the health authorities and they may follow up with you after 3-5 days.

Ebola

Madagascar has introduced additional health measures in response to the Ebola outbreak:

• if you have been in, or transited through, a country affected by Ebola in the last 21 days, you may not be allowed to enter Madagascar unless you are exempt

• Malagasy nationals, foreign residents, people with valid work or student visas, diplomats, and staff of international organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations can enter Madagascar after travelling through an affected country. They must complete a 21-day quarantine and health monitoring period. Quarantine must take place at an approved location. Travellers are responsible for the cost of accommodation, food and transport

• all travellers must complete a health declaration form, declare any travel through an affected country in the previous 21 days, and undergo health screening on arrival

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Madagascar. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking food into and out of Madagascar

Do not take in any food, including fruit, as this is illegal.

When leaving Madagascar you may, after declaring and showing receipts, take out:

• up to 2kg of vanilla
• up to 1kg of pepper or cloves

You may only export other plant and animal products if you get permission.

Taking money into Madagascar

You can take up to 400,000 Malagasy ariary into Madagascar.

Declare foreign cash or travellers cheques if the value is 7,500 euros or more. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave.

Some countries have imposed measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak. These can include restrictions on entry and health screening measures for travellers having recently visited an affected country. If you are suspected of having symptoms, you may be subject to isolation, quarantine and/or travel restrictions. Contact the authorities of the country you are travelling to for more details.

The authorities of a country or territory decide who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from local authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you're travelling with.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date you enter Madagascar and must contain at least 2 empty pages.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

You should also be aware that current systems used by some countries and travel companies may not recognize the “X” gender identifier. You may still be asked to provide your sex/gender information as either male or female when travelling.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, verify this information with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics
• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports and other travel documents

Visas

Tourist visa: required for stays longer than 15 days up to 90 days
Business visa: required for stays up to 90 days
Student visa: required

You can obtain a 30- or 60-day tourist visa upon arrival at the Antananarivo airport. Airport visa processing times can be lengthy, and you must present:

• your passport with at least two blank pages
• a return ticket
• payment in cash, in USD, euro or Malagasy ariary

Children and travel

Learn about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).