GoSeychelles Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

In May 2013, the Chinese government and the Seychelles government signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption. Chinese citizens holding passports, valid round-trip air tickets, and hotel bookings can directly enter Seychelles visa free for a stay of no more than 30 days. If you plan to stay for more than 30 days, please apply for a visa. For specific details, please consult the Embassy of Seychelles in China. For personnel who come to Serbia on business with one-way tickets (including personnel from our foreign aid medical team, Chinese funded institutions in Serbia, etc.), the customary practice in Serbia is for the relevant government departments to issue invitation letters and notify the immigration bureau. After arriving at the airport, our personnel will apply for landing visas and work permits at the airport entry office.

The basic process for entering Seychelles is to hold a valid passport with a validity period of more than 6 months, a valid round-trip air ticket and hotel reservation, and log in to the Seychelles electronic border system within 10 days before entry https://seychelles.govtas.com Fill out the entry application through the Seychelles E-Border mobile app and pay a fee of 10 euros (normal fee standard, if time is urgent, the Serbian fee standard will be increased). The system will send the payment voucher to the email provided at the time of filling out the application. After approval, the entry permit form will also be sent to the above email. After arriving in Seychelles, you need to present your passport, valid round-trip airfare, hotel reservation, and entry permit form to complete the entry procedures at the airport.

Basic outbound process: Log in to the Seychelles electronic border system before departure https://seychelles.govtas.com Fill out the departure application through the Seychelles E-Border mobile app, obtain the exit form, and then go to the airport with your passport and return ticket to complete check-in and baggage check-in procedures. Afterwards, go to the departure hall to complete the exit procedures with your passport, ticket, and exit form. Finally, wait for boarding after undergoing airport security checks.

Special reminder: Chinese citizens who come to Seychelles for personal reasons must present round-trip air tickets and full hotel reservations. When filling out an entry application, the reason for entry must be consistent with the declared reason.

The phone number of the immigration office is 00248-4293636.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

The customs have set a limit on the value of goods carried by inbound tourists: personal use items with a total value not exceeding 3000 rupees (approximately 1500 RMB) are not subject to taxation, and those exceeding this value should actively declare and pay taxes. It is strictly prohibited to carry controlled items, obscene materials, toxic substances, clothing similar to Seychelles military uniforms, as well as firearms, spears or other dangerous weapons, any kind of animals or plants, any animal or plant products, any kind of biological specimens, or tools or equipment used for raising animals and growing plants into and out of Seychelles.

When entering the country, tourists can carry 200 ml of perfume, 200 cigarettes (according to experience, customs officers are usually allowed to carry only one cigarette per person) or 200 grams of tobacco, 4 liters of alcoholic beverages with less than 16% alcohol content, or 2 liters of alcoholic beverages with more than 16% alcohol content and 2 liters of alcoholic beverages with less than 16% alcohol content. The sea coconut is a unique species in Seychelles and is considered a national treasure, belonging to restricted items. When carrying sea coconuts out of the country, one must hold the number and license issued by the relevant department at the time of purchase. Customs encourages imported goods to be transported by freight, and passengers carrying taxable, restricted or prohibited goods should use the red channel. Not actively declaring, carrying restricted or prohibited items is an illegal act and may face fines, confiscation or even criminal penalties. There is no clear regulation on carrying cash with you when entering the country, but it is recommended not to bring cash exceeding $10000 (or equivalent value in other currencies) into the country. For more information, please call Customs at 00248-4293737 or write an email to: commissioner@src.gov.sc .

For those coming from countries with common diseases on the African continent such as malaria, yellow fever, dysentery, etc., it is required to present an International Travel Health Certificate and an International Vaccination Certificate, otherwise the airport entry office will refuse entry. The yellow fever vaccine must be administered at least 10 days after entering Seychelles.

Residency and Naturalization

Chinese citizens who need to extend their stay in Serbia after staying for 30 days can apply to the immigration office of Serbia with valid passports, round-trip air tickets, hotel reservations, and sufficient proof of funds to stay in Serbia. After confirming compliance with relevant requirements, the immigration office approves the application for extension of stay, with each extension not exceeding 3 months and consecutive extensions not exceeding 12 months. The first application for a 3-month extension of stay is free, and thereafter, a fee of 5000 rupees must be paid to the local immigration office for every 3-month extension.

There are two ways to handle the residency procedures: one is to apply to the local immigration office, state reasons, provide guarantees, and pay fees; The second is to apply for a work permit in Serbia. The legitimate company in Serbia can apply to the Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs of Serbia, obtain approval, and send it to the immigration bureau for processing. After obtaining the work permit, the applicant can enter and reside in Serbia.

Sierra Leone recognizes multiple nationalities. Foreigners who have long-term visas or work permits in Serbia can work and stay in Serbia. To become a Cypriot citizen, they must have worked in Serbia for more than five consecutive years and donate a certain amount to the Serbian government before applying. After being approved, they can become a Cypriot citizen.

The phone number of the immigration office is 00248-4293636.

Seychelles risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

For a long time, Seychelles has been one of the countries with the best security situation in the world, especially in Africa. However, in recent years, the problem of drug abuse has become increasingly serious, with incidents of theft, robbery, and other crimes occurring from time to time. I, as a citizen, should avoid going to casinos and remote and disorderly entertainment venues, and pay attention to personal and property safety.

When going out in Seychelles, one should have a sense of safety precautions and overcome complacency. When going out alone, keep your money, belongings, and documents safe. When leaving the self driving vehicle, try not to put valuable items in the car to prevent theft. Try to minimize going out at night. If it is necessary to go out, try to accompany you as much as possible to ensure personal and property safety. When playing on the beach, please ensure that important documents and belongings are guarded to prevent theft and robbery. Tourists who join the tour group should try not to leave the group and travel alone. Independent travelers should be cautious when going to remote beaches and informal attractions. Many scenic spots lack sufficient safety measures, making renting bicycles for sightseeing particularly dangerous. In recent years, there have been multiple accidents where tourists have been seriously injured or killed due to improper riding.

natural disaster

Seychelles has no major natural disasters. Tourists should pay attention to the local weather in time and be prepared for extreme weather such as rainstorm and gale. Do not swim in unsafe waters or hike on undeveloped mountain trails. When exploring or engaging in extreme sports, please travel in groups, do your best, and equip yourself with necessary life-saving equipment.

FDA

Seychelles' food mainly relies on imports and has good hygiene conditions; Drinking water congestion relies on rainwater and desalinated water. In recent years, there have been occasional water shortages, and citizens should pay attention to water suspension reminders when using congestion. We attach great importance to environmental protection and ensure that the fish caught in the sea are safe for consumption.

Urgent Help

Seychelles emergency hotline: 00248-999.

Seychelles emergency hotline: 00248-141, ambulance: 151

Seychelles Hospital Phone: 00248-4388000

Police Headquarters Phone: 00248-4288000

Consular protection hotline of the Embassy in Seychelles: 00248-4671722/4671706 (working hours), 2713988 (24 hours)

air traffic

Mahe International Airport is the only international airport in Seychelles. At present, flights can reach the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Ethiopia, Russia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, India, Kenya, South Africa and other countries, and flights to and from Türkiye, Germany, Switzerland and other places are also available in the peak tourist season. There are domestic flights to Pulan Island from the airport every day.

Chinese Mainland can transfer to Seychelles from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu and other major domestic cities via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Colombo, Addis Ababa and other cities. Seychelles to Dubai has 2 round trips per day, while Doha and Addis Ababa have 1 round trip per day. The inquiry hotline for Sai Airport is 00248-4391200.

land transport

Land transportation mainly relies on automobiles, and the car rental industry is developed with high rental prices. Car rental services can be directly handled at the airport; Public transportation includes taxis and buses. A Chinese driver's license (with the words "Driving License" in English) can be used directly in Seychelles within 30 days of entry. If it exceeds 30 days, it needs to be certified domestically and sent to Seychelles to obtain a local driver's license before it can be used. Drive the vehicle to the right and follow the principle of yielding to the right. There are multiple one-way streets in the city, please pay attention to following traffic regulations. The road is narrow and has many steep mountain roads. Some mountain roads have no guardrails, and there are many deep ditches on the roadside. Driving should be slow rather than fast. It is necessary to pay attention to traffic rules and drive safely. In case of an accident, take photos of the scene in a timely manner and call the police for rescue. Due to the lack of dedicated pedestrian walkways in most areas, vehicles should pay attention to yielding to pedestrians while driving. At the same time, pedestrians should also pay attention to traffic rules and signals, and choose the opposite direction of traffic as much as possible when walking to maintain proximity to vehicles within the field of view.

water communication

Mahe Island New Port is the only deep-water port in Seychelles. The port is divided into two parts: commercial and fishery terminals. Commercial terminals are capable of container loading and unloading operations. The transportation between the islands of Sai Dao relies on ferries and small planes. Port Authority telephone: 00248-4294700.

Urban transportation

The downtown area of Victoria is relatively small and can be reached by walking to major attractions, as well as by taking buses, taxis, or self driving. Sai has implemented bus cards and cancelled cash ticket sales. After obtaining the card, the starting fare for each bus ride is 10 rupees.

major city

Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is the only city with a population of approximately 30000 and is one of the smallest capitals in the world. The small clock tower in the city center is one of Seychelles' iconic buildings, built in 1903 to commemorate Seychelles becoming a British colony and modeled after London's "Big Ben". The huge sculpture created by Italian artist LORENZO APPLANI located in Liberty Square consists of three bird wings, symbolizing the Seychelles ethnic origins from Europe, Asia, and Africa, indicating that there is no racial discrimination in Seychelles and that various ethnic groups coexist peacefully. The four fish sculptures located near the National Library symbolize the four major economic pillars of Seychelles: tourism, fisheries, industry, and agriculture.

Commodity prices

Fishing is the second largest industry in Seychelles, and the Seychelles waters are abundant in tuna and grouper. Serbia's agriculture and industry are weak, and its living resources mainly rely on imports. The market supply of goods is insufficient, and the variety is also limited. Fruits and vegetables are particularly scarce, with prices often 3-5 times higher than those in China. The city center market and large supermarket are located near Victoria Market Street and Airport Road respectively, and are the main places for buying groceries and shopping. The market is closed on Sundays. The US dollar, euro, and Seychelles rupee are in circulation in Serbia. Foreigners who come to Seychelles need to exchange their US dollars into Seychelles Lubi for local use.

In addition to the Central Bank (telephone: 4282000), there are six commercial banks in Seychelles: Barclays Bank of the United Kingdom (telephone: 4383838), New Bank of Seychelles (telephone: 4293000), Baroda Bank of India (telephone: 4323037), Savings Bank of Seychelles (telephone: 4294000), Seychelles Development Bank (telephone: 4294400), and Commercial Bank of Mauritius (telephone: 4284555).

Seychelles currency name: Rupee. The exchange rate of Chinese yuan to rupee is approximately 1:2.0850, and the exchange rate of US dollar cash to rupee is approximately 1:14.9662. Credit cards are widely used in local shops and hotels (VISA and MasterCard cards are also widely used, and some shops can also use UnionPay cards).

Insurance Medical

Seychelles citizens enjoy free healthcare, including hospitalization fees, medical expenses, and meal expenses. The medical conditions in Serbia are very limited. Once a patient's condition is severe or requires surgery, according to government regulations, they can apply for free medical treatment and treatment abroad. Foreigners do not enjoy free medical services in Serbia. The Seychelles Hospital (Victoria Hospital) is the largest hospital in Seychelles, with foreign doctors in addition to local doctors. At present, a Chinese medical team consisting of six Chinese doctors is working in the hospital to assist Serbia. The phone number for Seychelles Hospital is 00248-4388000.

There are no common diseases on the African continent such as malaria. To protect tourism resources, the Serbian government attaches great importance to preventing the spread of epidemics, especially malaria, cholera, and hepatitis. In recent years, there has been an increasing trend of measles and dengue fever cases. It is recommended to take protective measures to avoid mosquito bites.

Customs taboos

Seychelles is a country composed of Eurasian non immigrant descendants and their mixed race descendants - Creole people. The customs and habits of the three continents mentioned above coexist peacefully. They have different skin colors, but they get along friendly without racial discrimination. In Seychelles, people of different skin colors and religious beliefs coexist harmoniously, and their lives are leisurely and comfortable. For formal events, men wear suits and ties, long and short sleeved shirts, and women wear skirts or pants.

Seychelles people have a strong awareness of environmental protection. The felling of precious tree species requires approval from the Ministry of Environment. The law prohibits bird catching, turtle catching, and freshwater fish fishing. In order to protect tropical fish in the marine park waters, fishing is not only prohibited, but locals also usually advise tourists to pick up shells. Smoking is prohibited in public places. 76% of the residents in Serbia believe in Catholicism, with a small portion following Anglican, Hindu, and Islamic religions. There are Catholic and Anglican churches in the capital, with branch churches in each district. There are also Indian temples and mosques on the island. There is a Chinese cultural center built near Market Street in downtown Victoria, where local Chinese and overseas Chinese worship the statue of Guan Yu.

Communications Power

Seychelles has a good popularity of the Internet. There are mainly three broadband network operators: cable&wireless, air, Intelvision, etc., and two mobile phone operators: cable&wireless and air. Overall, mobile phone and network costs are high. The capital Victoria has already laid out 5G network, which can achieve wireless connection. The internet is mainly charged based on data usage, and the cost is much higher compared to within China.

The voltage in Seychelles is 240 volts. All electrical appliances brought from China can be used, and most power sockets are British three-phase.

The mobile phone is based on the GSM standard, and can be used by roaming or replacing it with a local SIM card in China.

The international code for Seychelles is 00248.

contact information

Common information website: www.seychelles.com

Yellow Pages Phone: www.yellowpages.sc