More about "Emigrating to Madagascar!"

In another entry, "Welcome to Madagascar", I already discussed entering Madagascar with a tourist visa. But what happens if you want to change your life and settle long-term in the country where the pepper grows? Or if, for example, you want to spend the northern winter in the southern summer? How does one live in Madagascar and what challenges must be overcome in order to realize this decision? Many people think about "emigrating to Madagascar", but it is not always easy to make it happen.
In this article, I provide a detailed overview of how to emigrate to Madagascar.
First of all, you should make a few trips to the country to get at least a vague idea of what to expect and whether you can cope with the reality you will encounter there. This is because the idea that people from Europe have of this fascinating country is in many cases completely misleading. Anyone who has already made several trips to Madagascar knows what to expect, but it is still difficult to fully understand and adapt to the people, their mentality and the way of life of the Madagascans. There is a considerable difference between visiting as a tourist and living here permanently.
Such a decision, as made by many who wish to "emigrate to Madagascar", should therefore never be taken lightly, without the necessary experience and without sufficient preparation.
Regardless of what income you move to Madagascar on - whether as a retiree or an entrepreneur - if you don't grasp the local rules quickly, you have little chance of staying longer than six months. There are many "traps" and obstacles that can constantly stand in your way.
The easiest and less risky group are pensioners or people who have a regular income from Europe and can usually live very well here. However, even this group must be aware that integration and life in a foreign country are associated with many challenges.
The entry requirements to Madagascar are relatively straightforward, but I will explain more about this later.
Before taking the big step, it is advisable to register with the "Fokontany" during your last vacation trip to Madagascar. You can then open a bank account with the receipt of this registration and your passport.
The next step, emigrating to Madagascar, then takes place in Europe:
You must obtain a certificate of good conduct without an entry and have it translated into French by a sworn translator. Anyone with a criminal record cannot obtain a long-term visa for Madagascar.
Either download the necessary forms from the website of the nearest Malagasy embassy or, for those who are near an embassy or consulate, ask there directly for the necessary information.
You must then present yourself in person at the embassy and justify your application. Pensioners or people who have a regular income have an advantage here.
Another uncomplicated procedure concerns people who are married to a Madagascan or have children from mixed marriages - they also receive a long-term visa for reasons of family reunification.
Entrepreneurs and founders must first settle the legal and administrative bases in Madagascar and then set up their company there.
Anyone working for an aid organization or as a missionary can also apply for a visa if this reason is given.
You must then apply for a so-called "transformable visa" at the embassy. As already mentioned, this visa must be justified, is subject to a fee and is only valid for one month after entry.

Entry to Madagascar with the "Visa Transformable

All the necessary documents should already be prepared. It is extremely helpful if you speak French well and have someone at your side who can help you efficiently with the authorities. Many offer this service, but only a few are really helpful.
For those who do not speak French, advice and support is essential. Without this help, it may be more difficult to overcome the bureaucratic hurdles involved in emigrating to Madagascar.
Many documents are required, which must be stamped by various authorities in Madagascar. All documents must be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior in Antananarivo within one month. Until a final decision is made, you can remain in the country with a temporary residence permit. This permit can be extended if necessary.
The final decision should not take longer than three months if all the documents are correct and the stay has been well justified. Nevertheless, help from experienced contact persons is very important throughout the entire process.
After all the paperwork, you can either enjoy a pleasant and peaceful life or fall into boredom and addiction - these experiences are often described as the "Venus trap". Older men (and sometimes women) imagine that they are suddenly 30 years younger, only to realize after a few months that they have become significantly poorer, but by no means younger.
However, there are also many mixed marriages that work very well and are often more harmonious than in Europe.
Many French people, especially pensioners, have made a new home for themselves in Madagascar and never want to return to Europe.
However, working in Madagascar is much more difficult, although there are many business opportunities. The country is very poor, and without sound knowledge of local conditions, ventures often end tragically and in a relatively short time. You should therefore only invest as much as you can afford to lose in the event of failure. This may sound pessimistic, but it is realistic advice.
If interested readers have specific questions on this topic "Emigrate to Madagascar", I would be happy to answer them more precisely.