🇸🇨 Seychelles visa for EU citizen citizens

Most passports get 90 days visa-free in Seychelles. Some get just 30. Don't assume you're covered for longer than you are.

Who walks in visa-free?

Seychelles is pretty welcoming. If you hold a passport from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, EU countries, or New Zealand, you’re good for 90 days on arrival. No application needed. Same goes for many African nations.

A shorter 30-day stay is granted to citizens of certain countries, including China, India, and Russia. It's still visa-free, but you’ll want to double-check your specific nationality. A small number of countries do require an advance visa application. This isn't common for remote workers looking for a short-term stay, but if you're from one of these nations, check the Seychelles Department of Immigration website well in advance. Most digital nomads won't need a pre-approved visa.

How long can you actually stay?

Your initial entry grants you a certain period, usually 30 or 90 days, depending on your passport. This can be extended. Extensions are typically granted for periods of 30 days at a time, up to a maximum of 12 months in a 12-month period. You’ll need to apply for this extension at the Department of Immigration in Victoria, Mahé.

Here’s where it gets tricky. The rules around extensions can feel a bit fluid. You need to prove you have sufficient funds for your stay and an onward or return ticket. Overstaying is met with fines. While specific penalties can vary, expect fines of around SCR 100 per day of overstay. More significantly, overstaying can jeopardize future entries. Also, if you leave and try to re-enter quickly, immigration officers might question your intentions, even if your initial stamp hasn't expired. They're looking for genuine tourism or a clear plan, not someone hopping back and forth to skirt visa limits.

Working remotely on a tourist stamp

Seychelles doesn't currently have a specific digital nomad visa. This means most remote workers operate on a tourist stamp. Is it technically legal? That’s the grey area. The law generally states you shouldn't engage in employment while on a visitor permit. However, enforcement for remote workers earning income from outside Seychelles is practically non-existent.

Authorities are primarily concerned with people trying to work for local Seychelles businesses or establish a business on the islands without proper permits. If your work is entirely online, paid by foreign clients, and you're not seeking local employment, you’re unlikely to face issues. Just ensure you have that return ticket and sufficient funds. It’s wise to have proof of your remote work arrangement handy, though rarely asked for.

What's new in Seychelles immigration?

Seychelles has been gradually updating its processes. The introduction of an eVisa system has been discussed and piloted for certain nationalities, aiming to streamline applications for those who do require a visa. While it's not yet universally applied to all visa-required nationalities, it signals a move towards digital processes.

Keep an eye on the official Seychelles government immigration portal for any updates regarding fee structures or new entry requirements. The "Seychelles Workcation" programme was also launched a couple of years ago, which essentially formalizes the process for longer stays for remote workers, though it still operates under a tourist framework with extension possibilities. Fees for extensions have remained relatively stable, around SCR 1,000 per month of extension, but always check the latest figures before your arrival. The general approach remains visitor-friendly, with the focus on ensuring visitors are self-sufficient and not seeking local employment.