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Passport validity requirements

If you’re visiting Seychelles, your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.     

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You do not need a visa to visit Seychelles, but you must get a travel authorisation before you travel.

When you arrive, you’ll get a visitor’s permit for 3 months. You can apply for 3-month extensions, up to a maximum period of 12 months in total, if you meet visitor permit extension requirements. You can apply online to extend before your current visitor’s permit expires or in-person at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria.

The visitor’s permit is free for the first 3 months, but there is a fee for each 3-month extension.

Applying for a travel authorisation

You must apply and pay for a travel authorisation online to enter Seychelles. You can apply up to 30 days before you arrive. In an emergency, you can pay an extra fee for an express application.

When you apply, you will need to show you meet Seychelles entry requirements. These include having:

• a valid return or onward ticket
• proof of confirmed accommodation
• sufficient funds for the duration of your stay

Checks at border control  

When you arrive, you may need to show proof you have travel insurance and are covered for any potential health costs.

Vaccine requirements

You must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk. 

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Seychelles guide.     

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Seychelles. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Seychelles

If you are taking cash with a value of 50,000 Seychellois rupees or more into Seychelles, declare this when you apply for your travel authorisation.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Seychelles. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Taking money into Seychelles

If you are taking cash with a value of 50,000 Seychellois rupees or more into Seychelles, declare this when you apply for your travel authorisation.

Emergency services in Seychelles

Telephone: 999 (ambulance, fire, police)  

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers and funeral directors in Seychelles
• dealing with a death in Seychelles
• being arrested or imprisoned in Seychelles
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Seychelles on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Public nudity

Topless sunbathing is uncommon. Nudism is not accepted and is likely to cause offence.

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

Seychelles has strict laws on drug use and smuggling. Penalties are severe and may include fines and prison sentences, up to life imprisonment. This can be applied both for supplying and simple possession of any drugs, including when transiting through the airport. Bail is highly unlikely and prosecutions can take a year or more to come to court.

Seychelles International Airport has excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items, including cannabis. This can be used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

Pack all luggage yourself and never carry anything through customs for anyone else.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Seychelles, but attitudes vary. Same-sex marriage is not recognised.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.