Seychelles: Entry Rules for VisitorsLast check:Last update:Data statusLast check:Last update:
Seychelles:Visa Requirement Map
Explore which nationalities need a visa to enter this country and which can enter visa-free.
Seychelles: Visa and entry documents and requirements
Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.
Visa-Free Entry Requirements
- For a short-term visit to Seychelles, an entry visa is not obtained in advance. The traveler must carry a valid passport or another travel document recognized by the Government of Seychelles. The document must be valid for the entire planned duration of stay and until the traveler's return to the country of which they are a citizen or resident.
- The traveler must have a valid return ticket or a ticket for onward travel to another country. Accommodation in Seychelles must be confirmed in advance and proof of accommodation must be demonstrable. The traveler must correctly declare the address where they are staying in the country and notify the Immigration and Civil Status Office of any changes to the accommodation address.
- Sufficient financial means to cover the duration of stay must be demonstrated. The minimum financial requirement is 150 US dollars per person per day or equivalent.
- The traveler must not fall under the category of a prohibited immigrant and must not hold any other valid permit granting them the right to reside in Seychelles. Visitors who meet the entry conditions are issued a visitor permit upon arrival. This permit may be used for purposes of holiday, sightseeing, short-term business visit, or visiting friends and family.
- The initial visitor permit is issued free of charge for a maximum period of three months. The permit may be extended for periods of up to three months each time, as long as the required conditions continue to be met. The total duration of stay in visitor status may reach a maximum of 12 months. An extension fee of 5,000 Seychelles rupees is charged for each three-month period or part thereof after the initial three months.
- The extension application can be made through the online permit portal or through the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria, Mahé. Online extension payment is made by card. During the extension, the conditions of having a valid return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and sufficient financial means must continue to be met.
- The visitor permit does not grant the right to work. Persons who will work in Seychelles, whether paid or unpaid, must obtain the appropriate work permit in advance.
Electronic Travel Authorization Requirements
- Visitors traveling to Seychelles must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization through the Seychelles Electronic Border System before departure. The application can be completed through the official internet portal or the Seychelles E-Border mobile app. The authorization is not a visa; it is a mandatory pre-travel approval determining the traveler's eligibility to travel by air or sea based on health and security criteria.
- The application can be made within the 30-day period before the planned date of arrival. As the standard review may take up to 24 hours, the application must be completed sufficiently in advance of travel. If the application has not been approved by the time of departure, the traveler cannot travel.
- For the application, a valid passport, a recent selfie, contact details, and detailed travel information must be provided. The passport image must be uploaded clearly, legibly, and with no information obscured.
- The photograph must clearly show the applicant.
- Visitors arriving by air must upload the airline reservation confirmation clearly showing the dates of arrival and departure. Travelers arriving by sea, by boat, or by cruise ship must also obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization, and the relevant sea voyage information must be reported in the application.
- Reservation confirmation must be provided for each accommodation in Seychelles. The document must show the name of the hotel or guesthouse, the name of the boat if a boat is chartered, or the employer's information if accommodation is provided by an employer. If staying with friends or family, a letter of invitation must be uploaded.
- If the applicant has a valid Seychelles residence or work permit, a copy of it may be requested during the application. The application system may request additional information or documents based on the traveler's status and responses provided.
- Valid credit or debit card information must be provided to pay the application fee. For adult applications, the standard 24-hour processing is 10 euros, the six-hour premium processing is 30 euros, and the 60-minute expedited processing is 70 euros. The stated amounts do not include bank transaction fees. Paid application and related service fees are non-refundable and non-transferable to another person.
- A separate Electronic Travel Authorization must be obtained for each child, infant, and minor traveler. The system allows family or group applications of up to six persons in the same transaction.
- Travelers between the ages of one and 59 who have resided in, recently visited, or transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in a place with risk of yellow fever must upload an international yellow fever vaccination certificate. When these conditions do not apply, a yellow fever certificate is not required. There is no requirement for a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 test.
- The Electronic Travel Authorization is valid only for a single journey. A new application is required for each new journey to Seychelles. The QR code linked to the authorization expires on the date indicated in the approval email.
- A traveler arriving in Seychelles without an approved authorization cannot pass immigration control and will not be admitted to the country. Applications made upon arrival are subject to an additional penalty fee.
- The Electronic Travel Authorization has not been defined as a process requiring fingerprints, biometric data registration, or a consular interview. The competent authority may reject the application or request additional clarification and documents. Questions and appeals regarding the rejection decision may be directed to the Seychelles Immigration Department.