Seychelles:Visa Requirements

SeychellesLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

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Seychelles Visa Requirements Map

Seychelles: Visa 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 minimum number of blank pages required in the passport has not been definitively specified in the central official source. No definitive technical requirement has been published in the central official source regarding whether the passport must be biometric or machine-readable, whether damaged passports are accepted, or whether a specific passport type is mandatory.
  • 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. How this amount should be proven, whether by bank statement, cash, credit card or another method, has not been definitively specified in the central official source. The number of months the bank statement must cover has also not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • 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.
  • Mandatory travel health insurance and minimum insurance coverage for visa-free entry have not been definitively specified in the central official source. Employment certificate, salary slip, student certificate, company documents, daily travel itinerary, national identity document, notarization, apostille, or document translation have not been definitively specified in the central official source as a general entry condition.

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. Which exact page of the passport to scan, and the file size and format, have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • The digital dimensions, background color, maximum file size, file format, and how recently the selfie photograph must have been taken have not been definitively specified in the central official source. 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. The mandatory content of the letter of invitation, a copy of the inviting person's identity card or residence permit, and the sponsor's financial documents have not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • 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. The requirement of parental consent, birth certificate, custody document, or parent's passport copy for minors has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • 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. Whether the approval must be carried in printed form or only digitally has not been definitively specified in the central official source; the traveler must be able to access the approval email and QR code during travel.
  • 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 exact amount of this penalty fee has not been definitively specified in the central official source.
  • 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.
Population
134,959(2026 est.)
Official language
Seychellois Creole, English, French
Government type
Presidential republic
Continent
Africa
Capital
Victoria
Currency
Seychellois rupee
Area
459 km²
Phone code
+248

Seychelles: Key Destinations

The capital and primary gateway is Victoria on Mahé Island, where Seychelles International Airport connects to major global hubs. The main islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue are the most visited hubs, with Victoria serving as the central point for arrivals and inter-island connections.

Seychelles is renowned for its pristine beaches, coral reefs, and unique nature reserves such as the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The archipelago offers a blend of Creole culture, luxury resorts, and eco-tourism, with activities like diving, hiking, and island hopping being popular among visitors.

Travelers typically fly into Mahé, then take short domestic flights or ferries to explore Praslin and La Digue. Many itineraries combine stays on two or three islands, with day trips to smaller granitic or coral islands for snorkeling and relaxation.