Seychelles Visa Guide

Your Seychelles visa guide

Everything to know while applying for a Seychelles visa

Dreaming of soaking in the beauty of a visa-free country for Indians in East Africa? Then you’ve got to book flights to Seychelles. This archipelago surrounded by the Indian Ocean is a paradise-like destination where a Seychelles tourist visa for Indians is not needed, yes, that’s right! Seychelles is a pristine destination with lush landscapes, bluest waters, and pristine beaches. Feel one with the ocean as there are many islands scattered across the ocean. While some islands are not habitable, one can surely visit via an island-hopping excursion.

In addition to island hopping, there are several activities to do in Seychelles such as snorkelling, sailing, and scuba diving. No visit to an island destination is complete without staying in a luxury resort. Seychelles has a series of luxury resorts to stay at, each offering exceptional services and views to die for. Despite the Seychelles visa requirements not including a tourist visa, you still need basic documents like a passport to enter this country. To learn more about the Seychelles visa for Indians, the requirements for a Seychelles visa and how to apply Seychelles visa, scroll below:

How to apply for a Seychelles visa?

There is no requirement for a Seychelles visa since it is a visa-free country for India as well as several other countries. However, a visitor’s permit is required for entry which will be provided after arriving in Seychelles International Airport.

Apply for travel authorisation from their official Seychelles Electronic Border System. You can also download the Seychelles E-Border app. The officials in Seychelles will receive your information and upon arrival, you will be granted a visitor’s permit.

The following are the documents that are required to obtain a visitor permit for Seychelles:

  • Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months
  • Proof of accommodation in Seychelles like booking confirmation or an invitation if you are staying with friends/relatives
  • A confirmed return flight ticket indicating you will return within a given period
  • Bank statement proving that you have sufficient funds
  • Travel and health insurance that covers your stay in Seychelles

After arriving in Seychelles, you will need the following:

  • Since there is no pre-arrival visa application, post arriving you will receive a visitor’s permit which is valid for three months
  • The visitor’s permit is free of charge for the first three months, after which it is charged Seychellois Rupee for a permit extension

Note: Ensure that you have a digital Embarkation Information Form while departing from Seychelles.

Types of Seychelles visa

Seychelles is visa-free and a prior visa is not required, however, a visitor’s permit is needed to enter and exit the country at ease. Below we have mentioned information about the Seychelles visitor permit for Indians:

  • Visitors visa

1. Visitors Permit

The Seychelles Visitors Permit is a visa issued to Indian passport holders to visit Seychelles for tourism or any purpose and for a short time. It also came with the free issue of permits on arrival to Indian citizens who no longer need to apply for a pre-arrival visa to travel to Seychelles. This permit is perfect for those who would love to tour the beautiful natural terrains, the secluded beaches as well as the marine wildlife in Seychelles.

Seychelles visitors permit for Indians:

  1. Purpose: The visitor's permit is designed for tourists visiting the country of Seychelles for leisure and sightseeing purposes. This permit does not allow long-term residence.
  2. Validity: Seychelles visitors permit for Indians is granted for up to 30 days. This is enough for a person to explore the beautiful archipelago.
  3. Application process: No pre-arrival application is needed, instead, the travellers are issued the visitor’s permit upon arrival at the Seychelles International Airport. Make sure you have applied for travel authorisation from their official Seychelles Electronic Border System (as mentioned above)
  4. Documents required: You will need to provide the following documents at the immigration counter.
    • A valid passport (at least six months of validity)
    • Proof of accommodation in Seychelles
    • A return or onward flight ticket
    • Bank statements (at least three months)
    • Health or travel insurance to help cover your expenses in case of emergency
  5. Extending your stay: You are allowed to stay for a longer period by applying for an extension at the Seychelles Immigration Office. For this, you will need to provide documents and a cover letter reasoning your purpose of stay.
  6. Departing from Seychelles: Before you exit Seychelles, ensure that you have a digital Embarkation Information Form document. The form must contain a valid passport, selfie, contact information and departing flight information.

Top places to visit in Seychelles

Seychelles is a beautiful place with a series of beautiful sights. Here are some top places to visit while vacationing in Seychelles.

  • Anse Source d’Argent: This beach lies on La Digue Island; the beach features enormous round-shaped granite rocks and velvety, white sand and blue water. It is an impressive place for swimming and sunbathing during warm pleasant weather and sunny summer.
  • Vallée de Mai: This is the second oldest forest of Seychelles which is one of the world heritage sites on Praslin Island and consists of coco de mer palm and many species. This forest has well-laid trails for hiking activities since they are well-marked.
  • Beau Vallon Beach: Beau Vallon is one of the beautiful beaches located on Mahé Island with a long stretch of white and powdery sand, calm and crystal-clear water and ideal for water sports activities, particularly snorkelling and diving.
  • Curieuse Island: Curieuse Island is recognised as one of the largest homes of the world’s biggest tortoises the Aldabra tortoise. Therefore, it offers tourists a perfect ground for discovering nature. Some wonderful attractions found on the island are mangroves, beaches and superb trails for hiking.
  • Sainte Anne Marine National Park: This is a small park situated close to Mahé; it is composed of several islands that provide good snorkelling and scuba diving as well as colourful corals and fish.
  • Praslin Island: Other than Vallée de Mai, Praslin boasts of fine sand beaches such as; Anse Lazio and Anse Georgette which are famous for their fine views and crystal-clear blue water.
  • La Digue Island: One of the places that offer a completely relaxed atmosphere as well as an old-world ambience is La Digue. It has stunning beaches at Anse Cocos and Anse Marron which is better to be explored by bicycle.
  • Aride Island: The Aride Island in Seychelles has a nature reserve and bird sanctuary which provides a chance for a guided tour to see its native vegetation and birds, including seabirds.
  • Morne Seychellois National Park: A major park of Mahé with wonderful trails through the dense tropical vegetation endemic to Seychelles is Morne Seychellois National Park. It offers an opportunity to climb the Morne Seychellois for fabulous views.
  • Victoria: The capital city of Seychelles, Victoria is the first place you will arrive after landing in Seychelles. This place offers a blend of cultural experiences, as well as a series of top tourist attractions like the Victoria Clock Tower, the local markets, and the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit Seychelles?

No, Seychelles is a visa-free country for Indians, but you need to obtain a visitor permit when you enter the country.

What is a Seychelles visitor permit?

Seychelles visitor permit is a short-term visit that is issued on arrival at the airport. This is for tourism with a 30-day validity.

How to get a Seychelles visitor permit?

You can easily obtain the Seychelles visitor permit by visiting the official website of Seychelles and uploading the required information and documents like:

  • Passport information
  • Selfie or passport page
  • Contact information
  • Trip information
  • Health declaration
  • Customs declaration

For how long is the Seychelles visitor's permit valid?

The Seychelles visitor's permit is valid for up to 30 days.

Can I extend my Seychelles visitor's permit beyond 30 days?

Yes, you can extend your Seychelles visitor's permit if you wish to stay for longer than the initial 30-day period. You will need to apply for an extension at the Seychelles Immigration Office in Seychelles.

Do I need to have travel and health insurance while visiting Seychelles?

Yes, it is always advisable to have travel and health insurance to avoid spending a lot of money if any accidents or mishaps occur.

Are there any restrictions on the Seychelles visitor's permit?

Yes, the permit is strictly for tourism purposes and any work or employment is not allowed.

What to do if I lose my passport in Seychelles?

If you lose your passport in Seychelles, report it to the local police and contact the Indian embassy or consulate in Seychelles.