Do Madagascar citizens need a visa for New Zealand?
Yes, citizens from Madagascar must obtain a Visitor Visa before traveling to New Zealand. This visa allows travelers to stay in the country for up to 6 months (multiple entry) or 9 months (single entry), depending on the visa type issued.
With a Visitor Visa, travelers cannot work, but they are permitted to study for up to 3 months. The visa must be approved before departure, as it cannot be obtained upon arrival in New Zealand.
New Zealand Traveller Declaration for Madagascar
All travelers, including Madagascar citizens, must complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before entering the country.
• The earliest time to submit the NZTD is 24 hours before departure.
• It must be completed before reaching passport control in New Zealand.
• The NZTD is a digital form that collects customs, immigration, and biosecurity information.
• Travelers can complete the form online or via the NZTD app—it is free of charge.
• Each traveler, including children, must submit a separate declaration.
What requirements must citizens from Madagascar meet to enter New Zealand?
To enter New Zealand, citizens of Madagascar must meet the following requirements:
• Valid passport – The passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date from New Zealand.
• Proof of financial means – Travelers must demonstrate sufficient funds to support their stay:
- NZD 1,000 per person per month, or
- NZD 400 per person per month if accommodation has been prepaid.
• Return or onward ticket – Visitors must provide evidence of a ticket out of New Zealand or the financial ability to purchase one.
• Compliance with entry rules – Travelers must not pose a health or security risk and must carry any required documents for their next destination.
How to apply for a tourist visa to New Zealand for Madagascar?
Applying for a New Zealand Visitor Visa is a straightforward online process. Follow these steps:
1. Visit the official website – Go to the New Zealand Immigration website and locate the Visitor Visa (1017) application.
2. Complete the application form – Provide personal details, travel plans, and purpose of the visit.
3. Gather required documents – Ensure all supporting documents, such as financial proof, travel itinerary, and health records, are ready for submission.
4. Pay the visa fee – The fee must be paid online using a credit or debit card.
5. Submit the application – Applications are processed online, and decisions are communicated via email.
6. Wait for approval – Once approved, travelers will receive an electronic visa, which must be presented upon arrival in New Zealand.
What documents are required to obtain a tourist visa to New Zealand for Madagascar citizens?
To apply for a New Zealand Visitor Visa, citizens from Madagascar must provide the following documents:
1. Proof of travel and financial stability
- A confirmed return or onward ticket, or proof of funds to purchase one.
- Evidence of good financial standing, such as bank statements or a sponsorship letter.
- A letter from the applicant’s employer, confirming their salary and position (if employed).
2. Additional documents for tourism purposes
- Hotel booking confirmation or proof of accommodation.
- Comprehensive health insurance (recommended coverage: €50,000).
- If participating in adventure activities (e.g., skydiving, rafting, bungee jumping), the insurance should cover extreme sports and rescue operations.
3. Identity verification
- A valid passport (must be valid for at least 3 months after departure from New Zealand).
- A color passport-size photo (two photos if applying via paper form).
4. Health and character requirements
- Applicants must declare any criminal history, convictions, or pending charges.
- If staying longer than 6 months, a chest x-ray or medical certificate may be required.
5. Special conditions for minors (under 18 years old)
- If traveling alone or with only one parent, a notarized parental consent letter is required.
How much does a New Zealand visa cost for Madagascar?
The cost of a Visitor Visa starts from NZD $341 and depends on the application method. Online applications are generally cheaper than paper applications. Payments are made via credit/debit card (Mastercard, Visa, UnionPay).
Visa fees are non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.
Additionally, applicants are required to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), which has been increased to NZD $100.
What is the processing time for a tourist visa?
The average processing time for a New Zealand Visitor Visa is approximately 3.5 weeks.
What are the health insurance requirements for citizens from Madagascar?
While health insurance is not mandatory for visitors from Madagascar, it is highly recommended. New Zealand’s healthcare system is costly for non-residents, and without insurance, medical expenses must be paid out of pocket.
For travelers engaging in adventure activities like skydiving, rafting, or bungee jumping, additional coverage for extreme sports and search-and-rescue operations is advised.
An individual who intends to travel to and stay in New Zealand as a transit passenger must apply for a transit visa before proceeding to New Zealand, unless this requirement is waived.
Transit is only available at Auckland Airport and transit passengers must remain in the transit area for the duration of their time in New Zealand and no longer than 24 hours. Transit passengers who do not pass through Auckland Airport, or who must leave Auckland Airport's transit area, or who will remain in Auckland Airport's transit area for more than 24 hours, are not eligible to enter New Zealand as a transit passenger and must obtain a Visitor Visa if they are not travelers from visa-free countries.
Transit travelers without visas
From June 20, 2020, the transit visa cancellation applies to, but is not limited to, the following persons:
- A citizen of New Zealand or a holder of a residence class visa;
- An owner of a temporary entry visa;
- A person subject to visa cancellation, but only if he has an electronic transit permit;
- A traveler traveling to or from Australia:
1.A person whose immediate or final destination after transiting through New Zealand is Australia, but only if they hold a valid visa issued by the Australian Government to enter Australia and have a Transit Electronic Permit
2.A person traveling from Australia and having a transit electronic permit;
3.A person whom a representative of the Immigration Service, by special instruction, classified as a person subject to the withdrawal of a transit visa;
4.Citizens of the following countries, but only if they have a transit electronic permit:
Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Federated States of Micronesia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Thailand Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Venezuela.
Instructions for importing cats and dogs from approved countries:
- Download and read the health standards (IHS) and the IHS guidance document. In the latter, you can find a sample of the veterinary certificate that you need to provide for your cat or dog. It displays all tests, treatment courses and examinations. A separate form can be downloaded at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/
- Check whether your pet meets all requirements for import into New Zealand. For ease of checking, special checklists have been developed on the MPI website, which you can use to check compliance with all requirements. Your pet must be provided with a special microchip and vaccinated against rabies (only after microchip insertion). He must also pass a blood test no later than 3 months and no earlier than 24 months before the date of importation and undergo treatment for certain parasites 24 to 48 hours before departure;
- Book quarantine at a transit point approved by MPI. A list of such items can be found at https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/pets-travelling-to-nz/. The quarantine period is not less than 10 days. You will need the booking confirmation letter later when submitting your application.
- Apply for an import permit. It takes 20 days to issue such a permit, so you need to apply in advance. Permits are of two types, depending on the country from which the animal is imported. Category 2 – rabies-free countries, category 3 – countries where rabies is absent or under control. For each of these categories, there is a separate application form that can be downloaded from the MPI website.
- Declare medications for the pet if he needs to take any medications while on the road.
- Notify the MPI no later than 72 hours before the arrival of the animal in the New Zealand with the following data:
- Flight number;
- Date and time of arrival
- Name of the carrier and contract number
- Species and breed of pet
- The number of animals in the invoice
- Confirmation of reservation of the quarantine point
- Number of the consignment note (if known)
Restrictions on the import of animals
In addition to cats and dogs, only rabbits and guinea pigs from Australia and chinchillas from Great Britain are allowed into New Zealand.
New Zealand has a unique population of rare and endangered bird species. Therefore, in order to avoid the introduction of bird diseases into the country, the importation of birds into the territory of New Zealand is prohibited until all risks are studied and health standards are developed.
New Zealand