Is the Seychelles eTA Mandatory for Children? A 2026 Guide for UK Families

Yes, the Seychelles eTA is mandatory for all travellers, including infants and minors. Every child, from newborns to under-18s, must have their own individual eTA linked to their own passport. There is no age exemption, and each child’s application requires a separate administrative fee of €10.90.

Last updated: 14 September 2026. This is an informational guide for UK travellers; for authoritative entry requirements, consult the UK Foreign Office travel advice and the Seychelles eTA portal.

Failing to obtain a child’s Seychelles eTA before travel can result in a penalty fee upon arrival. Parents should apply up to 30 days before their planned arrival date and expect standard processing times of up to 24 hours per application.

Is the Seychelles eTA Mandatory for Children?

The Seychelles eTA is mandatory for every traveller including infants and minors. There is no age exemption; a separate Seychelles eTA is required for each child and must be linked to their individual passport. UK citizens enjoy visa exemption but must still secure this Travel Authorisation prior to their flight. The eTA replaces the traditional visa requirement entirely.

The standard administrative fee is €10.90 per person. Arriving without the required Seychelles eTA results in a penalty fee upon entry. A free visitor’s permit is issued on arrival for up to three months, extendable in three-month increments up to 12 months total at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria, Mahé.

Documents Required for a Child’s Seychelles eTA Application

A child’s Seychelles eTA application requires their valid passport, a selfie photo, proof of accommodation, a return ticket, and parental consent details. Each minor must provide:

• Child’s valid passport – valid for the duration of stay (per gov.uk); a 6-month passport validity from the date of entry is recommended to satisfy airline check-in requirements
• Digital passport photo or selfie – a portrait photo taken with a mobile phone
• Proof of confirmed accommodation – hotel name, boat charter name, employer name, or a letter of invitation
• Valid return or onward flight ticket showing clear arrival and departure dates
• Home address, phone number, and email
• Credit or debit card for the €10.90 administrative fee
• Online customs declaration – completed as part of the Seychelles eTA application; cash declaration required if carrying 50,000 Seychellois rupees or more
• Parental consent letter – not a formal upload requirement, but recommended for border control if travelling with one parent or a legal guardian

UK children hold individual passports from birth, so a separate passport and Seychelles eTA are always required. An unabridged birth certificate may be requested at border control to confirm parentage; UK parents can obtain this from the General Register Office (GRO).

Do Infants Need Their Own eTA?

Every infant, including newborns, needs their own individual Seychelles eTA. No age threshold or exemption exists. British children receive individual passports from birth (UK system since 1998), so a separate passport and eTA are always required. A child cannot be added to a parent’s passport or eTA.

The standard fee of €10.90 per person applies equally to every traveller including newborns. There are no infant concessions or exemptions.

How to Apply for a Seychelles eTA for Your Child

Parents apply via or the Seychelles E-Border app (Google Play Store). Applications open up to 30 days before arrival.

Processing tiers: Standard – up to 24 hours, €10.90; Premium – approximately 6 hours, €30; Expedited (express application) – approximately 60 minutes, €70. Express applications are intended for emergencies. The approved Seychelles eTA arrives as a PDF via email and should be printed or saved on a mobile phone. A 24/7 Live Chat is available on the Electronic Border System platform at.

Do You Need a Parental Consent Letter?

The Seychelles eTA application does not formally require a parental consent letter upload. However, Seychelles immigration officers may request documentation at the border confirming that the accompanying adult has authority to travel with the child. UK FCDO guidance advises carrying evidence of relationship and written consent from the absent parent.

Recommended documentation by scenario:

• Travelling with one parent: carry a signed consent letter from the other parent.
• Travelling with a grandparent or legal guardian: carry consent from both parents or legal authority.
• Sole custody: carry a court custody order, death certificate of the deceased parent, or adoption papers.
• School or group trips: carry consent letters from all parents plus an organisational authority letter.

Notarisation by a solicitor adds credibility but is not a legal requirement for Seychelles. Carry originals or certified copies of custody documentation.

Group eTA Applications and Family Travel Tips

The Seychelles eTA platform does not support bundled or batch family submissions. Each child requires an individual separate application linked to their own passport, a separate €10.90 payment, and an individual selfie photo. Submit all family applications in one sitting to ensure documents are processed together.

Every applicant, including infants, must upload their own portrait photo. For babies, photograph against a plain background with the head supported and open eyes. The baby’s face must fill most of the frame, no hands or pacifiers visible – the platform’s AI checks for face proportions and may reject obstructed images. A parent may hold the baby as long as only the baby’s face is visible.

Each submission generates a separate reference number for tracking. If one family member’s Seychelles eTA is delayed, contact the 24/7 Live Chat on. Avoid: wrong passport number, name mismatch, incorrect date-of-birth format, and applying too late (less than 72 hours before departure).

FAQ: Seychelles eTA for Children and Infants