The Malagasy government is working hard to turn Madagascar into a tourist and business destination, which means it’s easier than ever for foreign employees to get a visa in the country. In most cases, workers get their visas within 24 hours as long as they provide all the required documents. That said, you’ll still need to worry about staying compliant and obtaining work permits for all your employees in Madagascar.
Types of Work Visas in Madagascar
Madagascar has two larger visa categories — non-immigrant visas and transformable visas. Non-immigrant visas allow for stays up to 90 days with one to three entries. A Malagasy embassy or consulate issues transformable visas that are valid for 30 days, which allows the holder to apply for a long-term visa once they’re in Madagascar.
Most of your employees will need a transformable visa and fall under one of the many valid categories, including:
- Investors
- Executive officers or managers of companies established in the country
- Employees
- Family members in reunification
- Religious missionaries
- Retired people
- Students
- Volunteers
- Natives
- Scientists
Requirements to Obtain Madagascar Work Visas
The requirements for getting a work visa in Madagascar depend on your employees’ categories. However, all expats seeking employment will need a work permit. As the employer, you can sponsor your employees’ stays in the country and arrange for their work permits. Self-employed individuals will need to apply for a work permit themselves.
In addition to a work permit delivered and signed by the Ministry of Work, your employees applying for a transformable visa will need:
- An employment contract stamped by the Ministry of Public Service, Labor Administration Reform, and Social Laws (MFPTLS)
- A work permit delivered by the MFPTLS
- A certificate of employment issued by you, the employer
- Your company’s certificate of registration issued by the Registrar of Companies (RCS)
- Your company’s Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Your company’s statistics cards
Application Process
While obtaining a working visa in Madagascar is a relatively simple process, your employees will still need to go through the application process. First, find the closest consulate and gather the documentation listed above. Each applicant must pay the visa fee, which depends on where they apply, so it’s best to check the specific embassy or consulate’s website.
After they submit the materials and pay the fee, the embassy or consulate will send your employees their Madagascar work visas. Before entering the country, it’s important to get all necessary vaccines, such as hepatitis A and typhoid.
Other Important Considerations
While applying for a work visa in Madagascar is relatively easy, gaining residency is a more complicated process. You’ll need to provide information about your company in addition to each employee’s paperwork. Timing is also important, as your employees’ visas and other documents have specific expiration dates that the individual must work within.
Some of the most required documents include:
- A photo ID
- The reason for the residency request
- Notice information
- A declaration of honor with a notarized signature
- A certified copy of the applicant’s original passport and entry visa
- A criminal record from the employee’s country of origin
- A certificate of residence
- And more
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