Guinea-Bissau entry requirements for Madagascar passport holders
Updated weekly · Last reviewed June 28, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Madagascar passport holders can get a visa on arrival at airports and land borders in Guinea-Bissau in 2026. You'll pay the fee in cash (EUR or XOF) and need a few documents ready. The process is straightforward but expect a short queue.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Visa on arrival | You can get a visa on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB) in Bissau. Have your passport, a passport-sized photo, and the visa fee in cash (CFA francs or euros) ready. The visa is valid for up to 90 days, but confirm the exact duration and fee with the immigration officer upon arrival. | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your Madagascar passport must be valid for at least the entire period you plan to stay in Guinea-Bissau. Airlines may also enforce this rule at check-in, so check your passport's expiry date before booking. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of onward travel | Immigration at Bissau airport will ask for proof of a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight itinerary ready. Without it, you may be denied boarding or entry. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or invitation letter | Carry a printed hotel reservation or an invitation letter from your host in Guinea-Bissau. Immigration may ask where you're staying, and having proof avoids delays. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show sufficient cash or card | Have enough cash (CFA francs or euros) or a credit card to cover your stay. Immigration may ask to see proof of funds, especially if you're staying for more than a few days. | Recommended |
Cash only for visa on arrival
The visa fee must be paid in cash — no cards, no mobile money. Bring euros or XOF in small denominations. Change is rarely available, so carry exact or near-exact amounts.
Check your visa sticker before leaving the counter
Mistakes happen. Make sure your name, passport number, and validity dates are correct before you walk away. If something's wrong, ask the officer to fix it immediately.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at the visa on arrival counter
At Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' after baggage claim. At land borders, go to the immigration office. You'll fill out a short form and hand over your passport.
2
Pay the visa fee
Pay in cash (EUR or XOF). The officer will give you a receipt. Keep it safe — you may need it when leaving.
3
Receive your visa sticker
The officer will stamp or stick the visa into your passport. Check the validity dates before walking away. The visa is usually valid for 30 days.
4
Proceed to passport control
Join the main passport control queue. Show your passport with the fresh visa, your boarding pass, and your return ticket if asked. You'll get an entry stamp.
Download Guinea-Bissau Entry Checklist
PDF · Madagascar Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 28, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry, pre-arranged)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost60 EUR (approx. $65 USD)
Apply at Guinea-Bissau embassy abroad; allows one entry.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months
Cost100 EUR (approx. $109 USD)
For frequent travellers; must be obtained before travel.
work visa
Temporary Work Visa (Autorização de Trabalho)
1 year, renewable
~150 EUR (approx. $163 USD) plus employer sponsorship
For foreign workers with a job offer from a Guinea-Bissau employer. Requires work contract and approval from Ministry of Labour.
student visa
Student Visa (Visto de Estudo)
1 year, renewable annually
~50 EUR (approx. $54 USD)
For enrolled students at a recognized educational institution in Guinea-Bissau. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on Arrival (single entry, 30 days)Payable in cash (EUR or XOF) upon arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport. | 55 EUR (approx. $60 USD) |
| Overstay finePayable at immigration office before departure. | 5,000 XOF per day (approx. $8 USD), max 50,000 XOF |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete travel documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Guinea-Bissau
No transit visa needed
Madagascar passport holders transiting through Guinea-Bissau (Osvaldo Vieira International Airport) do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsOsvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB)
Health & vaccines for Guinea-Bissau
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission; Madagascar is endemic, so certificate is mandatory.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; outbreaks occur in urban areas.
Food/waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common due to poor sanitation; drink bottled water and eat thoroughly cooked food.
Malaria risk: high
Malaria is present year-round in all regions. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is strongly recommended.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Bissau
Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME)
Avenida Amílcar Cabral, Bissau
Mon–Fri 08:00–15:30
For visa extensions and overstay fines; bring passport, photo, and fee in cash.
Practical information for MG travellers
Country basics
CapitalBissau
LanguagePortuguese
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days.
Money
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 574.19 XOF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,E,FTypes C (Europlug), E (French), and F (Schuko) are used.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The fee is typically 55–85 EUR or 35,000–55,000 XOF. It's paid in cash at the airport or border post. No card payment accepted. Bring euros or West African CFA francs in small denominations.
Usually 30 days from the date of issue. Check the sticker before leaving the counter. Extensions are possible but you'll need to visit the immigration office in Bissau.
Yes, at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau and at all major land border crossings. The process is the same — fill a form, pay cash, get the sticker.
You may be denied the visa on arrival. Immigration officers often ask for proof of onward travel. A bus ticket to a neighboring country also works if it shows you'll leave Guinea-Bissau.
Yes, but it's not automatic. You'll need to go to the immigration office in Bissau before your visa expires. Bring your passport, a passport photo, and the extension fee (around 20,000–30,000 XOF). The process takes 1–2 business days.
No, it's not required for entry. But it's strongly recommended — medical care in Guinea-Bissau is limited and expensive. A policy covering medical evacuation is a good idea.
Euros (EUR) or West African CFA francs (XOF). US dollars are not accepted at the visa counter. Bring small bills — change may not be available.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 28, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.