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Seychelles Visa: Eligibility, Documents & Process for Indians

About Seychelles

Seychelles is a country in the Indian Ocean that is primarily dependent on the tourism industry to boost its economic growth. However, the nation is currently witnessing progress and development on economic front due to improvement in service and public sectors. It has led to an increase in purchasing power parity. Very few countries in Africa are reported to have a high Human Development Index and the highest nominal per capita GDP in Africa. So, the nation of Seychelles has emerged as a place where expats have increased over the last decade. However, the country also offers some tourist destinations. But, before visiting the nation, you should know that it is officially known as the Republic of Seychelles, and is believed to have the smallest population of any sovereign African country.

Seychelles Visa Application Process

Seychelles is considered to be a Visa-free country. Therefore, if a person desires to travel to Seychelles, he may do so without a Visa. Still, it is recommended to have a passport which should have the validity up to the day of stay and other essential documents permitted by the government of Seychelles.

Any person desiring to visit Seychelles for holidays or meeting friends and families or any other business purpose shall be issued a Visitor's Permit upon the fulfillment of the following aspects:

  • Should not be a prohibited immigrant
  • Should not be holding a valid permit which makes the holder reside in Seychelles
  • Should have sufficient funds for the stay and confirmed accommodation
  • Should be a holder of a valid return ticket during the visit.

Normally the Visitor's permit is granted for three months, which can be extended to a maximum period of three months, but subject to maximum twelve months provided the criteria of bona fide visitors must be met by the person.

According to the norms, for the Initial three months, the Visitor's Permit is issued free of charge, after which fee of Sr. 5000 is charged for the extended period of three months.

The conditions of obtaining an extension of Visitor's permit are the same as Visitor's permit which are:

  • Should not be a prohibited immigrant
  • Should not be holding a valid permit which makes the holder reside in Seychelles
  • Should have sufficient funds for the stay and confirmed accommodation
  • Should be a holder of a valid return ticket during the visit.

Seychelles Visa For Indians

Indians are granted Visa on arrival for a maximum period of 90 days as per the norms of the country subject to a condition of holding a return ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds of minimum $150 per day. The Seychelles Department of Immigration is authorized to issue the Visitor's permit on arrival in Seychelles.

Types of Seychelles Visa

Primarily, there are three types of Seychelles visa for Indians; they are:

Seychelles Tourist visa

A tourist visa is issued to Indian citizens who want to visit the nation of Seychelles for sightseeing or visiting friends and families. Under this visa, they cannot work in the nation of Seychelles. One of the best benefits of Seychelles tourist visa is that you can get one on arrival. It means that you do not have to go through a prolonged and rigorous application process and wait a few weeks before getting your visa.

Seychelles Work Visa

This type of visa is issued to Indian citizens who want to visit the nation of Seychelles with specific reason for working or for business. This visa category also contains numerous sub-categories such as for shooting, cultural, sports and various other reasons.

Seychelles Transit Visa

Transit visa is issued to those Indian citizens who are in the nation of Seychelles only for a few days as they wait for transport out of the nation to visit another country.

Seychelles Visa Fees

Since Seychelles is a Visa Free country, the applicability of Seychelles Visa Fees does not necessarily apply. However person resident of India should be holding passport and travel documents recognized by the Republic of Seychelles. Therefore, Indian resident does not necessarily have to apply for Seychelles Visa online.

Seychelles Work Visa

Seychelles work visa can be obtained if the below-mentioned procedure is followed:

  • Any person desirous of obtaining Seychelles work visa need to apply for Gainful Occupational Permit if the person is self-employed in his own company
  • GOP applications after being filled will have to be submitted for approval to Immigration Office, Independence House, Victoria
  • In order to receive GOP, the following should be submitted to the Authority:
  • Proof of your approval letter issued by Seychelles Investment Bureau [www.sib.gov.sc] to state the approval.

Furthermore, the fee for payment for processing of the GOP application is Sr. 1000, and the cost of GOP is Sr. 700. The fee shall have to be submitted together with the application.

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What is Gainful Occupational Permit?

Gainful Occupational Permit enables the holder to occupy himself either as a person who employs others, in other words, Employer or as a person who is self-employed. Either of the two is permissible.

Time Limit: GOP should be submitted within a time frame of at least one week before the employee starts working. To elaborate, no person is permitted to work or enter in Seychelles for employing self without having obtained Gainful Occupational Permit. Another condition required to be met the application form has to be completed by the person who is going to engage himself as self-employed or by the prospective employer.

In order for the application for GOP to be considered, the following points are taken into consideration:

  • The prospective employee's health, character and reputation and where necessary, any member of his/her household to be granted the permit.
  • Technical or Professional qualifications of a prospective employee to be considered.
  • The person rendering service already exists in Seychelles.
  • Local interest to be protected.
  • The benefits are it economy, be it social that could be brought up by the applicant or prospective employee in order to contribute to the positive changes in Seychelles.

Residence Permit

The following conditions have to be met in order to be eligible for obtaining Residence Permit:

  • Should not be a prohibited immigrant
  • Should have a domestic or any familial connection
  • Should make or should have made a special contribution to Seychelles on an economic, cultural or social level

Additionally, there are other requirements for being a residence permit holder for Seychelles has to stay at least five days during each month the past year in the nation during the valid duration of the permit.

Furthermore, if the permit holder resides in Seychelles for more than one month (in any year) he/she shall keep a deposit with a bank in Seychelles or provide a bank guarantee to the Director General of Immigration, of not less than SR 20,000/- and allow the Director General of Immigration to draw on the deposit or call on the guarantee for the purpose of meeting expenditure incurred by the government in connection with the care, treatment or maintenance within or removal from Seychelles of the permit holder and his/her dependents.

The fee for processing the application is US5/- and the fee for the resident Permit is SR50,000/- for the main application and SR25,000/- for the spouse if applied at the same time.

The fee for endorsement of each minor dependent on a Residence Permit is SR1,000/-.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here is a list of commonly asked questions while applying for visa.

Can I enter Seychelles without a valid visa?

It is mandatory for Indian citizens to have a valid visa issued to them when visiting the nation of Seychelles. Even though the nation of Seychelles has a visa on arrival policy; it does not mean that you enter the nation without a visa. The visa on arrival is granted to you at the airport. If you do not have a valid Seychelles visa when you enter the nation, you could be deported, jailed, fined or never allowed into Seychelles again.

Do I need travel insurance to visit Seychelles?

It is always recommendable that you take travel insurance for every trip regardless of duration and destination. Travel insurance allows you to travel stress-free by paying minimal premium charges. ICICI Lombard General Insurance offers individual and family travel insurance plans in addition to student travel insurance policies.

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