Seychelles does not require a visa from any nationality. Every visitor receives a free Visitor's Permit on arrival, normally for up to three months and extendable locally up to twelve. You do need to apply online for a Seychelles Travel Authorisation before you fly, and carry a passport valid for your stay, a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and enough funds for the trip.
Seychelles is one of the most welcoming countries in the world to enter. There is no visa to buy and no embassy appointment to chase, whatever passport you happen to hold. The single step that catches people out is a separate online form called the Travel Authorisation, which has to be done before you board your flight. Sort that one thing in advance and your arrival is genuinely effortless. Here is exactly how the system works, start to finish.
The short answer
No nationality needs a tourist visa for Seychelles. On arrival you are issued a Visitor’s Permit, free of charge, normally valid for up to three months. If the islands work their usual magic and you decide to linger, that permit can be extended locally, up to a total of twelve months. It is granted at the border rather than arranged beforehand, and it is rarely refused when your paperwork is in order.
The Travel Authorisation you must get first
Before you travel you have to complete the Seychelles Travel Authorisation online. It is an electronic entry form rather than a visa, submitted through the official government border portal. You enter your passport details, your flight and where you are staying, answer a short set of health questions and pay a small processing fee. Approval usually lands by email within a day or two, and you present it, either printed or on your phone, at check-in and again at immigration on arrival.
Two small habits save real money and hassle. Apply a few days before you fly rather than at the eleventh hour, and use only the official government website. A number of copycat sites charge a hefty markup for the very same form and offer nothing extra in return.
What to have ready at the border
- A passport valid for the full length of your stay.
- Your approved Travel Authorisation.
- A return or onward air ticket.
- Confirmed accommodation for your trip.
- Enough money to cover your time on the islands.
Immigration officers can ask to see any of these, so it pays to keep your hotel confirmation and return ticket somewhere easy to reach rather than buried at the bottom of your bag.
How long you can stay
| Your plan | What applies |
|---|---|
| A normal holiday | Visitor’s Permit granted free on arrival, usually up to three months |
| A longer stay | Extend the permit locally before it expires, up to twelve months in total |
| Working or living here | A different permit, arranged through an employer or the immigration department |
Driving while you are here
Visitors can drive in Seychelles on their own national licence for the length of a normal holiday, and an International Driving Permit is a sensible thing to carry alongside it. With a hire car waiting at the airport you can clear the border and be on the coast road to your first beach within the hour, which is far and away the easiest way to begin a trip.
Once you land
The international airport sits on Mahe, a short drive from the capital and from most of the main hotels. The majority of visitors collect a hire car or a pre-booked transfer, then connect onward to Praslin or La Digue by ferry. Arranging your car and your first night before you arrive also speeds up the border step itself, since you can show your accommodation straight away and be on your way.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a visa for Seychelles?
No. Seychelles does not issue tourist visas to any nationality. Every visitor receives a free Visitor's Permit on arrival, normally valid for up to three months, once their paperwork is in order.
What is the Seychelles Travel Authorisation?
An online entry form you complete and pay a small fee for before you fly. It is not a visa, but you cannot board your flight without an approved one, so apply a few days ahead on the official site.
How much does it cost to enter Seychelles?
There is no visa fee. You pay only the small processing fee for the Travel Authorisation when you apply online before your trip.
How long can I stay in Seychelles as a tourist?
The Visitor's Permit is normally granted for up to three months and can be extended locally, before it expires, up to a total of twelve months.
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