Immigration, visas and taxes

There are no visa requirements.

A visitor’s permit valid for four weeks is issued on arrival. Extensions to this may be given by the immigration authority from the Immigration and Civil Status Division, P.O.Box 430, Independence House, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, Tel +248 22 53 33.

A departure tax is required from all visitors over 12 years of age upon departure. It is US$ 40.00 per person payable in foreign currency. The coupon can be purchased in any bank, including airport banks.

Health

Seychelles is currently free from malaria and tropical diseases.

No vaccinations are required except in the case of yellow fever where a vaccination is required for the visitor over 1 year of age who have come from or passed through an infected area within the preceding 6 days. The continents considered as infected areas are South America and Africa (excluding South Africa).

Population and Language

The total population is around 80000. The people, of mixed African, European and Asian origin are concentrated in the three inner islands Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, and more than 70000 people live on Mahé. 

English and French are widely spoken in Seychelles. Creole is the native language.

89% of the population is Roman Catholic, and 7% belong to the Church of England. There are also small other religious communities.

Climate

The climate is generally humid with an average temperature of 29°C. Unlike its Indian Ocean neighbours, Seychelles lies beyond the cyclone belt. The tropical climate is influenced by trade winds: from May to September, south-east trade winds bring lower humidity and pleasant temperatures between 24° and 32°C; from October to April, temperatures may be slightly higher with humidity and rainfall also higher.

Clothing

Light clothing are worn all year around. Long sleeves clothes are only required for the air journey. It is advisable to wear a hat, sunglasses and sun cream under the tropical sun. Men are requested by most hotels and restaurants to wear long trousers in the evening.

Food

Most hotels and restaurants serve traditional Seychellois food as well as international dishes.

Fish and rice, bread fruit, sweet potatoes or manioc make up the Seychellois staple food. It is served with vegetable cooked in "satini" or in salad.

Money

The Seychelles Rupee is divided into 100 cents. Exchange rates are published regularly in local papers. There is a bureau de change and agencies of local banks at the airport, which are open when there are incoming and out going flights.

Visitors are required to use only foreign currency in making payments in hotels, guesthouses, for car or boat hiring, for the service of local travel agents and for domestic transfers within Seychelles. But purchases in restaurants outside hotels, shopping and taxi fares are payable in local currency.

Exchanging money may only be done at banks or with authorised money dealers.

Credit card are widely accepted in Seychelles.

Medical facilities

Call out doctors are available for visitors on request from accommodation establishments and island resorts. For emergency situations, please call 999.

Time

Seychelles time is at GMT + 4 Hours

Electricity

Local supply is under 240 Volts a.c, 50 Hz. The standard outlet is a 3-pin electrical socket