Madagascar at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Not available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | None |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo stopped routine visa services on August 1, 2026, and Malagasy applicants now apply for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Madagascar right now
- Madagascar is not on the travel-ban or visa bond lists, but routine U.S. visa services moved from Antananarivo to Johannesburg on August 1, 2026.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Madagascar
Marriage green cardGreen card through your U.S. citizen or resident spouseFamily petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsF-1 student visaStudy at a U.S. college, university or language schoolB-1/B-2 visitor visaVisit the U.S. for business, tourism or familyGreen card lottery (DV)Yearly random drawing for green cards from lower-immigration countriesJ-1 exchange visitorExchange programs for students, scholars, interns and au pairs
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Madagascar visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Madagascar is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Madagascar get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on Madagascar nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between Madagascar and the United States. Some people qualify through a second nationality from a treaty country, or use other paths such as EB-5.
Can people from Madagascar enter the green card lottery?
Madagascar was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from Madagascar have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo stopped routine visa services on August 1, 2026, and Malagasy applicants now apply for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas at the U.S. Consulate General in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Madagascar?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Africa
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.