Key Takeaways

  • Foreign nationals require a Permis de Travail from the Ministry of Labour and a Carte de Sejour from the Direction Generale de l’Immigration before commencing paid employment in Madagascar.
  • Madagascar’s economy is driven by vanilla, cloves, mining (nickel, cobalt, chromite, ilmenite), textiles, and a growing services sector; these sectors are the primary employers of foreign nationals.
  • Madagascar is francophone and most official documentation, employment contracts, and legal proceedings are conducted in French.

Madagascar is the world’s fourth-largest island, located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa. Antananarivo (Tana) is the capital and main commercial centre. Madagascar is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries and a global centre for vanilla production. The economy is driven by agriculture (vanilla, cloves, seafood), mining (nickel, cobalt at Ambatovy; ilmenite at QMM), textiles (export processing zones), and a growing services and tourism sector. Madagascar is a francophone country; French is the language of government, commerce, and legal proceedings. The Direction Generale de l’Immigration administers visas and the Carte de Sejour; the Ministry of Labour administers work permits.

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Madagascar?

Under Malagasy immigration and labour law, any foreign national intending to engage in paid employment must hold a valid Permis de Travail and a Carte de Sejour. The requirement applies to:

  • Employees of Madagascar-registered companies in any sector
  • Intra-company transferees to local subsidiaries or project offices
  • Technical specialists and consultants on assignments exceeding 90 days
  • Foreign directors and key executives of Madagascar-registered entities
  • Mining, textile export zone, vanilla sector, and NGO workers

Types of Madagascar Work Visas and Permits

Permis de Travail

The Permis de Travail is issued by the Ministry of Labour and is the primary employment authorisation. The employer must demonstrate that the role requires skills not available locally and must comply with OHADA labour law. Work permits are employer-tied, issued for one to two years, and renewable.

Carte de Sejour

All foreign nationals residing in Madagascar for more than 90 days must hold a Carte de Sejour issued by the Direction Generale de l’Immigration. The Carte de Sejour is applied for on the basis of the approved Permis de Travail and must be renewed annually.

Long-Stay Visa

Foreign nationals must enter Madagascar on a visa allowing a stay long enough to complete the Carte de Sejour application process. Nationals of many countries may obtain a visa on arrival or an e-Visa; those needing a prior visa must obtain it from a Malagasy diplomatic mission.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Madagascar

1

Employer Applies for the Permis de Travail

The employer submits the application to the Ministry of Labour in Antananarivo. Required documents: company registration (RC du Tribunal de Commerce); signed employment contract in French; the applicant’s certified qualifications and CV in French; valid passport copy; police clearance; medical certificate.

2

Foreign National Applies for the Carte de Sejour

Once the Permis de Travail is approved, the foreign national applies for the Carte de Sejour at the Direction Generale de l’Immigration. Required: Permis de Travail; employment contract; passport; police clearance; medical certificate including HIV test; proof of accommodation; photographs.

3

Enter Madagascar

Most nationalities may obtain a visa on arrival at Ivato International Airport (Antananarivo) or via e-Visa. Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers from yellow-fever-endemic countries.

4

Collect the Carte de Sejour

After submitting the application to the Direction Generale de l’Immigration, the Carte de Sejour is issued within 4–6 weeks. It must be carried at all times and renewed annually.

5

Register with CNaPS

The employer must register the foreign worker with the Caisse Nationale de Prevoyance Sociale (CNaPS) before the first payroll. Employer contributions are 13% and employee contributions are 1% of gross salary. All workers in Madagascar, including foreign nationals, must be enrolled.

6

Annual Renewal

Both the Permis de Travail and the Carte de Sejour must be renewed annually. Renewals are submitted to the Ministry of Labour and the Direction Generale de l’Immigration respectively. Renewal applications should be submitted at least 45 days before expiry.

Madagascar Work Permit Costs and Fees

Madagascar immigration fees are denominated in Malagasy Ariary (MGA) and sometimes Euros for official fees:

Contribution / Permit Type
Amount / Rate
Permis de Travail
EUR 100–200 equivalent
Carte de Sejour
EUR 50–150 per year
CNaPS Contributions
14% of gross salary combined (13% employer, 1% employee).

Professional service fees add USD 500–1,200. Total first-year employer costs typically range from USD 800 to USD 2,000.

Madagascar Work Visa Sponsorship

Madagascar’s Permis de Travail is employer-tied. Changes of employer require a new Ministry of Labour application. Employers must notify both the Ministry of Labour and the Direction Generale de l’Immigration within 30 days of early termination.

Employers must comply with the Malagasy Labour Code (Code du Travail) and OHADA employment law, CNaPS contribution requirements, and applicable minimum wage obligations.

For international companies without a Madagascar entity, an EOR registered in Madagascar can act as the sponsoring employer, manage the Permis de Travail and Carte de Sejour, CNaPS registration, payroll in MGA, and full Labour Code compliance.

Work in Madagascar with Confidence

Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity, vanilla production, and growing mining sector create specific demand for international specialists. French-language proficiency and prior OHADA-jurisdiction experience are significant advantages for operational staff in Madagascar.

Remote People’s Indian Ocean and East Africa team provides work permit management in Madagascar.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Caisse Nationale de Prevoyance Sociale (CNaPS) is Madagascar's mandatory social security institution, covering pension, workplace accident, and family allowances. Employers contribute 13% and employees contribute 1% of gross salary monthly. All workers in Madagascar, including foreign nationals, must be enrolled. CNaPS benefits include a retirement pension, survivor benefits, and workplace accident compensation.

Yes. All documents submitted to the Ministry of Labour and the Direction Generale de l'Immigration must be in French or accompanied by a certified French translation. Employment contracts must be in French; bilingual versions are permissible. Malagasy is the other official language but French is dominant in all official and commercial contexts.

The main sectors employing foreign nationals in Madagascar include: large-scale mining (Ambatovy nickel-cobalt mine, QMM ilmenite near Fort Dauphin); vanilla and agricultural commodity trading (global vanilla trading companies have representatives in Madagascar); textile and garment manufacturing in export processing zones; international NGOs and development organisations; and tourism and hospitality.

Madagascar has significant infrastructure challenges, particularly outside Antananarivo. Roads are often poor, particularly in the rainy season (November to April). Air travel via Air Madagascar and small charter operators is common for reaching remote project sites. Security is generally manageable in urban centres but requires standard precautions.

Yes. An EOR registered in Madagascar with Ministry of Labour standing can act as the sponsoring employer, manage the Permis de Travail and Carte de Sejour, CNaPS registration, payroll in MGA, and full Malagasy Labour Code compliance on behalf of an international company.

Relocate to Madagascar

Remote People provides EOR services in Madagascar and across the Indian Ocean region. We manage Permis de Travail applications, Carte de Sejour processing, CNaPS registration, payroll in MGA, and full Malagasy Labour Code compliance.

Contact Remote People to start hiring in Madagascar today.

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