Last updated: 15 September 2026. Rates and processing tiers verified against and agency websites on 10 September 2026.
Deciding between the Seychelles eTA official vs third party route comes down to cost versus convenience. Applying directly via the govtas portal costs EUR 10.90 for Standard processing, while agencies like Sherpa, VisaHQ, and CIBTvisas add £30 to £80+ in service fees on top of that government charge for the same Travel Authorisation. Both routes submit to the same Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) backend, so the end document is identical. The direct portal keeps your passport data with the government-contracted operator, while agencies offer guided forms, document pre-screening, GBP billing, and dedicated account managers in exchange for their surcharge. For a detailed govtas portal walkthrough, see our step-by-step application guide.
Seychelles eTA: Direct Application via Govtas
Processing Tiers and Required Documents
The Seychelles eTA application through the government portal offers three processing tiers: Standard at EUR 10.90 (24 hours), Premium at EUR 30 (6 hours), and Expedited at EUR 70 (60 minutes), per mfa.gov.sc. For a full Standard, Premium, and Expedited cost breakdown, see our dedicated fees guide. UK citizens holding a full ‘British citizen’ passport are eligible; the passport must be valid for the duration of intended stay until arrival back in the UK, per ics.gov.sc. A visitor’s permit is granted on arrival, free for the first 3 months and extendable up to 12 months for a fee.
Required documents include a valid passport, a selfie, airline booking confirmation, accommodation booking confirmation (or letter of invitation), contact details, and trip information. For a complete document checklist for UK travellers, see our requirements page. Applications can be submitted up to 30 days before arrival, per gov.uk.
Step-by-Step Direct Application
Register on or via the Seychelles E-Border app
Available on the App Store and Google Play.
Complete the online form
Provide passport data, selfie, trip info, and contact details.
Upload booking confirmations
Upload airline and accommodation booking confirmations.
Select a processing tier and pay
Pay by credit or debit card.
Receive your Travel Authorisation
Delivered by email; present it digitally on arrival.
Third-Party Agencies: Sherpa, VisaHQ & CIBTvisas
Agencies charge a premium for document pre-screening and guided form completion on top of the government fee. All three ultimately forward applications to the same Travizory-powered SEBS backend as the government portal. Live pricing must be verified at each agency’s checkout, but typical surcharges range from £30 to £80+. If you are unsure whether an agency is legitimate, learn how to spot overpriced agencies and scams before paying.
| Criteria | Govt Direct | Sherpa | VisaHQ | CIBTvisas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Cost (Standard) | EUR 10.90 | EUR 10.90 + £30-£80+ | EUR 10.90 + £30-£80+ | EUR 10.90 + £30-£80+ |
| Processing Time | 24h / 6h / 60min tiers | Same SEBS tiers + queue latency | Same SEBS tiers + queue latency | Same SEBS tiers + queue latency |
| Refund Policy | Govt fee non-refundable | Varies; govt fee non-refundable | Varies; govt fee non-refundable | Varies; govt fee non-refundable |
| Billing Currency | EUR | GBP option (with FX markup) | GBP option (with FX markup) | GBP option (with FX markup) |
Do Agencies Speed Up Processing?
Every agency ultimately forwards each Seychelles eTA application to the same Travizory-powered Electronic Border System (SEBS) that the government portal uses. An agency’s “expedited” option maps to the government’s own tiers – Premium at EUR 30 / 6 hours or Expedited at EUR 70 / 60 minutes – with the agency surcharge added on top of that government fee, not instead of it. This means a Sherpa “expedited” order could cost EUR 10.90 + £30 to £80+ surcharge, while the same government tier costs EUR 70. For a detailed comparison of Standard, Premium, and Expedited processing times, see our dedicated guide.
Paying in Pounds vs Euros
The direct portal charges EUR 10.90; UK cards typically incur a foreign-transaction fee of 0 to 3%. At a typical exchange rate, EUR 10.90 equals approximately £9.30, so a 3% card fee adds roughly £0.28, bringing the direct total to about £9.58. Some agencies bill in GBP, bypassing the conversion fee but embedding their own exchange-rate markup. An agency charging £40 in GBP for the same Standard tier costs over four times the direct price. For more on how to pay for your Travel Authorisation, including accepted cards and currencies, see our payment guide.
Direct Portal vs Third-Party Pros and Cons
Side-by-Side Scorecard
| Criteria | Direct Portal | Third-Party Agency |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | EUR 10.90 (Standard) | £30 to £80+ surcharge on top of government fee |
| Speed | 24 hours (Standard) | Same backend system; potential queue latency |
| Error Checking | Self-service form | Manual document pre-screening |
| Refunds | Government fee non-refundable | Varies by provider; base fee still non-refundable |
| Data Privacy | Travizory, government-contracted | Commercial servers, varying policies |
| Support | 24/7 live chat | Email, phone, or account manager |
UK-Specific Considerations in 2026
- Passports must be valid for the duration of intended stay until arrival back in the UK (ics.gov.sc).
- The direct portal charges EUR; UK bank cards may incur 0-3% conversion fees. Agencies offering GBP billing embed exchange-rate markups.
- Travel agent vs visa agency: a travel agent books flights/hotels; a visa/TA agency submits immigration forms. Package-holiday buyers should not conflate the two.
- Cash declaration threshold: 50,000 Seychellois rupees or more must be declared (gov.uk).
- Yellow fever certificate required only if arriving from or transiting 12+ hours through an endemic country.
Privacy, Data Security and Customer Support
The official Seychelles eTA application route processes your passport scan and biometric selfie through Travizory Border Security SA, contracted by the Government of Seychelles, with the Ministry of Finance holding full audit access to all associated accounts. Third-party agencies store the same sensitive data on commercial servers. Unlike the government portal, these agencies are not audited by the Seychelles Ministry of Finance, and their data storage location (EU/US/other) and retention periods vary by provider.
Where Does Your Data Go?
When you submit a Seychelles eTA via the government portal, all application funds are owned by the Government of Seychelles and audited through monthly statements by the Ministry of Finance. Third-party agencies ultimately forward your application to the same Travizory backend, but your passport details and biometric selfie first reside on intermediary commercial servers. UK travellers benefit from GDPR protections when an agency processes data within the EU, but storage location and retention periods vary by provider.
Live Chat vs Account Manager
The govtas portal provides 24/7 live chat via a Crisp widget, staffed by Travizory support agents. Third-party agencies may offer email, phone helplines, or dedicated account managers, but availability and service-level agreements vary, and some charge extra for priority support.
Seychelles eTA for UK Travellers – FAQ
Is the Seychelles eTA the same document whether I apply directly or through an agency?
Yes. Both the direct govtas portal and third-party agencies produce the identical digital Travel Authorisation, because all applications are submitted to the same Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS).
How much does a Seychelles eTA cost via govtas vs an agency in 2026?
The government fee is EUR 10.90 for Standard (24 hours), EUR 30 for Premium (6 hours), and EUR 70 for Expedited (60 minutes). Third-party agencies add service surcharges of £30 to £80+ on top of those fees.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate to enter Seychelles?
Only if you have recently resided in, visited, or spent more than 12 hours in transit through a Yellow Fever endemic country. In that case an International Certificate of vaccination is required on arrival.
How much money do I need to show at the Seychelles border?
The Department of Immigration and Civil Status requires proof of sufficient funds of US$150 (or equivalent) per day of your stay in Seychelles.
Can I update my Seychelles eTA if my flight dates change after approval?
Amendment capability depends on the current govtas system. Contact the portal’s 24/7 live chat support to confirm whether changes can be made after approval.
Which agency is best for a Seychelles eTA – Sherpa, VisaHQ, or CIBTvisas?
All three submit to the same government SEBS backend, so the resulting Travel Authorisation is identical. Compare surcharges, support channels, and billing currency before choosing.
Is it safe to use a third-party agency for a Seychelles eTA application?
The Seychellois government advises applying directly via the govtas portal. If you use an agency, verify its privacy policy, data storage location, and refund terms.
What happens if my Seychelles eTA is refused – do I get my money back?
The government fee is non-refundable. Agency refund policies vary by provider, so check each agency’s terms before paying. For more details, see our guide on how to get a refund for a Seychelles eTA.
Can I apply for the Seychelles eTA on my phone?
Yes. You can apply via the Seychelles E-Border app, available on the App Store and Google Play Store, or through the portal on a mobile browser.
Does the govtas portal offer live chat support for Seychelles eTA applications?
Yes. The portal provides 24/7 live chat support through a Crisp widget, staffed by Travizory support agents.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. We are not affiliated with the Government of Seychelles, govtas, Travizory, or any agency mentioned. Always verify current requirements at before applying.
