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2026 visa changes — what's new2026 visa policy changes: what's different this year
🇿🇦South Africa
🇲🇬MadagascarZA-MG

South Africa to Madagascar visa requirements

South African ordinary passport holders need a visa for Madagascar, but it is easy to obtain. The recommended route is the official tourist eVisa (apply online before travel), and a visa on arrival is also available at Ivato (Antananarivo) International Airport for the same fees. Madagascar is not visa-free for South African citizens, but it operates an open, low-barrier system: every tourist (with only narrow exceptions for a couple of nationalities) can obtain either an eVisa online or a visa on arrival. For a short visit the most convenient and reliable choice is the single-entry tourist eVisa, applied for on the official government portal (evisamada-mg.com) between one week and six months before departure; the authorization is normally issued within 72 hours. The eVisa and the visa-on-arrival cost the same. Note an important 2026 change: effective 16 February 2026 the fee for the 15-day stay tripled from about EUR 10 to EUR 30 (USD 35); fees for the 30, 60 and 90-day categories were unchanged. Tourist stays cover up to 60 days (extendable to 90), the visa is single entry, and travelers need a passport valid at least 6 months with blank pages plus a return/onward ticket. Madagascar is not in the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Tourist eVisa (single entry); visa on arrival also available
Maximum stay
Up to 60 days (extendable to 90 days); 15-day short-stay option
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 30 / USD 35 for up to 15 days; approx USD 37 (30 days), USD 45 (60 days)
consular fee only
Processing time
Issued within 72 hours of online validation
standard track
Validity
Use within validity; stay matches category selected (15/30/60 days)
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm your passport is eligible
Ensure your South African ordinary passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Madagascar and has at least 3 blank pages.
· 6 months validity· 3 blank pages
/02
Apply on the official eVisa portal
Go to evisamada-mg.com between one week and six months before departure. Select the stay category (15, 30 or 60 days) for tourism.
· evisamada-mg.com· 1 week to 6 months ahead
/03
Complete the form and upload documents
Enter personal and travel details, upload your passport bio page and a photo, and provide your return/onward ticket and accommodation details.
· passport scan· return ticket
/04
Pay the visa fee online
Pay by credit card. The 15-day fee is EUR 30 / USD 35 as of 16 February 2026; longer stays cost more.
· credit card· EUR 30 / USD 35
/05
Receive the travel authorization
The Electronic Travel Authorization is issued no later than 72 hours after validation. Print a copy and keep the email.
· within 72 hours· print copy
/06
Finalize the visa on arrival
On landing at Ivato (Antananarivo) or other international airports, present your eVisa confirmation, passport and return ticket to complete entry formalities.
· Ivato Airport· present documents
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
South Africa -> Madagascar · Tourist eVisa (single entry); visa on arrival also available
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredSouth African ordinary passport valid 6+ months beyond departure
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least 3 blank passport pages
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredCompleted eVisa application on evisamada-mg.com
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredConfirmed return or onward air ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation in Madagascar
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent passport-style photo
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredCredit card for online fee payment
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedPrinted eVisa / travel authorization confirmation
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedSufficient funds for stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Application link included: Madagascar Official eVisa Portal (Tourism, Immigration and Emigration)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa / VOA up to 15 daysEUR 30 / USD 35Tripled from EUR 10 effective 16 February 2026
eVisa / VOA up to 30 daysapprox USD 37 (80,000 Ar on arrival)Unchanged in 2026
eVisa / VOA up to 60 daysapprox USD 45 (100,000 Ar on arrival)Unchanged in 2026
Visa extension (to 90 days)approx 210,000 Ar (EUR 41 / USD 48)Paid to immigration service in-country
Total estimateEUR 30 / USD 35USD 55incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Visa on arrival
At the airport on arrival
Available at Ivato (Antananarivo) and other international airports for the same fees; expect queues.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-free agreement
South Africa does not have a visa-waiver arrangement with Madagascar, so all South African travelers need a visa.
High
/02
Tourism stays under the standard categories
Short holiday visits fall under the 15/30/60-day tourist eVisa or visa-on-arrival categories.
High
/03
Visiting friends or relatives
Short personal visits also use the tourist visa channel.
Medium
/04
Transit and short business trips
Brief business or transit visits typically use the same short-stay visa.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
South Africa to Madagascar route verified
Confirmed via the official Madagascar eVisa portal and visa policy sources that South African ordinary passport holders need a tourist eVisa or visa on arrival. Noted the 16 February 2026 fee increase for the 15-day stay to EUR 30 / USD 35.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can South Africans enter Madagascar visa-free?
No. South African passport holders need a visa, but it is easy to obtain online (eVisa) or on arrival at the airport.
Should I get the eVisa or a visa on arrival?+
How much does the tourist visa cost in 2026?+
How long can I stay?+
What passport validity do I need?+
Is Madagascar in the Schengen area?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the South Africa passport

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