Travel documents and proof
Which IDs are accepted
Whatever the nationality of visitors and their family members, no visa is required to enter the Seychelles. The Travel Authorisation, however, is compulsory and must be applied for online before departure (see below). According to the German Foreign Office, the following applies to German citizens:
| Document | Entry possible? |
|---|---|
| Passport | Yes |
| Provisional passport | Yes |
| Children's passport (with photo) | Yes |
| Identity card | No |
| Provisional identity card | No |
| Child entry in parent's passport | No, no longer valid since 2012 |
Your passport must be valid at least until the day of your planned departure. The German Foreign Office takes the end of the trip and the return to your home country as the benchmark. If it is a close call, it is better to renew the passport beforehand. Documents must be originals, undamaged and have blank pages. Austrian citizens also travel with a passport, and the cream-coloured emergency passport is accepted. Swiss guests can find the rules with the EDA. Current information is available on the website of the German Foreign Office.
Proof required on arrival
To obtain entry permission, the following documents must be presented at the Seychelles international airport:
- a passport valid at least until the day of your planned departure
- a ticket for your return or onward journey
- proof of accommodation, including contact details
- sufficient funds for the duration of your stay
If you present all of these documents, the Seychelles immigration authority will issue a visitor's permit.
The authority does not state a fixed sum on its visitor page. Travel information often quotes a guideline of around 150 US dollars per day, and spot checks on entry do happen. So keep booking confirmations and flight tickets ready, either printed or offline on your phone. If you leave the Seychelles not by plane but, for example, on a sailing charter, clear the proof of onward travel with the charter company beforehand.
Applying for the Travel Authorisation
The authorisation applies to all travellers, children included, and for some time now also to arrivals by sea, for example by yacht or cruise ship. Without it, entry can be refused.
For the application you need:
- your passport and a passport photo
- contact details and flight details
- proof of accommodation, meaning your booking confirmation
- a credit or debit card for the fee
According to the German Foreign Office, processing normally takes 24 hours, and express processing is available for an extra charge. The authorisation arrives by email as a PDF. Save it on your phone or print it out. If the application does not work in your browser, the chat function on the site can help, or you can try the app. If you are staying in several places, have the booking confirmations for each ready.
After landing you go to passport control, where your permit is also entered. For the ride to your hotel you can book an airport transfer in advance. What else belongs in your suitcase is covered in the travel checklist, and what you may bring in is explained under customs regulations.
Visitor's permit and extension
The visitor's permit is issued on arrival for a stay of up to three months. It can be extended in steps of no more than three months to a total stay of no more than twelve months, provided the visitor continues to meet the requirements, that is an onward ticket, accommodation and sufficient funds. The permit is free for the first three months. After that, a fee applies for each extension of up to three months, and the amount is given in the note above.
An earlier arrangement, under which the permit was initially valid for only one month and an extension cost 1,000 SCR, is no longer confirmed by the authority.
How to extend
The application is made online via the portal permits.ics.gov.sc, and you pay by card. Alternatively, you can submit it in person at the Immigration and Civil Status office in Independence House in Victoria on Mahé. You will need a valid passport, your new flight connection and proof of accommodation. Apply in good time before your current permit expires, with at least five days recommended. In rare cases the authority asks you to appear in person. For exceptions and special cases the immigration authority is responsible, and contact details are on ics.gov.sc. The visitor's permit does not allow you to work in the Seychelles.
Health, children and pets
Travelling with children
The former child ID has not been issued since 2006. Children now need their own passport, for example a child's passport with a photo. An entry in a parent's passport is not enough. The German Foreign Office knows of no special entry rules for minors. If you travel alone with a child or with only one parent, it is wise to bring written consent from the other legal guardian. The Austrian Foreign Ministry recommends this. Children also need their own Travel Authorisation.
Dogs and cats
Bringing pets in is a complicated business. For dogs and cats, the German Foreign Office requires a microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, titre test, antiparasitic treatment, an import permit and quarantine. For a holiday this is practically impossible.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for the Seychelles?
No. For tourist stays the Travel Authorisation before departure is enough, plus the free visitor's permit on arrival.
Is an ID card enough?
No. German citizens need a passport, a temporary passport or a child's passport.
When should I apply for the Travel Authorisation?
At least 48 hours before departure. Processing usually takes about a day, but mistakes in the application cost time.
How long can I stay?
Initially for up to three months. With extensions, a total stay of up to twelve months is possible.
Where can I find more information?
You will find more tips on preparing for your trip under Travel tips for a perfect holiday. That page also covers money and banks. For questions about your authorisation, the immigration authority and the official application website are the right places to turn.
