You won’t need a visa nor, unique for tropical islands, any vaccinations. Malaria is not something you’ll encounter in Seychelles.
Entry Formalities
Irrespective of the nationality of the visitor and his or her family members, there are no visa requirements to enter Seychelles. However, the following documents must be shown in order to obtain immigration clearance at the Seychelles International Airport:
- A passport valid on the date of entry to and exit from Seychelles
- Return or onward ticket
- Proof of accommodation; including contact details
- Sufficient funds for the duration of the stay
Presentation of all of the above documents will grant you a Visitor’s Permit that will be issued upon arrival by the Seychelles Department of Immigration.
The Visitor’s Permit is initially valid for the period of visit of up to one month. It can be extended for a period of up to three months from the date of issue and capable of further extensions for successive periods not exceeding three months at a time to a maximum period of twelve months, provided that the person still meets the criteria of a bona fide visitor.
The visitor's permit is issued free of charge for the first three months after which there is a fee of SCR1,000 for extension covering each period of three months or any part thereof.
For all visa exemptions and extensions and other enquiries regarding immigration issues please contact:
Department of Immigration
Independence House
PO Box 430, Victoria
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: +248 29 36 36
Fax: +248 22 50 35
Email: info@immigration.gov.sc
Customs facilities
There are some duty free allowances for liquors, perfumes and tobacco, while the import of products such as weapons and pornography materials is prohibited.
Each visitor may import tax-free a video camera, other camera, musical instrument, portable electronic or electric equipment, sports requisites and other leisure equipment.
The import of plants and parts of plants, animals and animal products, biological specimens, radioactive substances and apparatus, dangerous drugs, chemicals, medicines, pharmaceutical items and poisons is forbidden without the necessary import permit or official authorization having been obtained in advance from the relevant authorities.
Payment of import tax is to be made in cash (or personal cheque drawn on a local account). Credit card facilities are not available for the payment of import tax.
Health Regulations
There is no risk of contracting malaria, yellow fever, cholera or other common tropical diseases in Seychelles.
No vaccinations are required except in the case of yellow fever where a vaccination is required for travellers over 1 year of age who have come from, or passed through a partly or wholly infected area within the preceding 6 days. Infected areas include certain parts of northern and central South America and central Africa. (South Africa is not considered an infected area.)
Persons travelling to Seychelles via Nairobi, Kenya and who remain in transit in Kenya do not require a vaccination against yellow fever.
Travelling with pets
All cats and dogs entering Seychelles require an Import Permit issued by the Veterinary Services.
Such pets must have valid vaccination records including proof of rabies inoculation as well as a Veterinary Health Certificate.
They will be obliged to undergo a quarantine period of two weeks to six months, depending on the country of origin.
Seychelles does not accept pets for a period less than six months and bringing bird species of any kind into Seychelles is not permitted.
Personal safety
Seychelles enjoys a low level of crime. Nevertheless, it is still advisable to take some routine precautions to ensure your personal safety and that of your possessions.
Walking alone on isolated beaches, swimming alone or leaving yachts unlocked at their moorings is not advisable.
It is also not recommended to carry large sums of money or valuables on your person, to leave them unguarded in your room or in the boot of your car or to advertise the fact that you possess them.
Most accommodation establishments offer room or reception safes to secure valuables and visitors are advised to take advantage of this service.
Source: Seychelles Tourism Board (May 2008). Keep in mind entry and health requirements may change. Please visit the links hereunder and check the current requirements.