How Long Can I Stay in Seychelles with an eTA in 2026?
UK citizens need a Seychelles Travel Authorisation (eTA), applied for online at before departure, which grants a free Visitor’s Permit on arrival for up to 3 months. This permit can be extended in 3-month increments to a cumulative maximum of 12 months, with each extension costing SCR 5,000. The eTA is single-journey only; any departure requires a new application for re-entry.
Entry Requirements and Initial Stay Duration
UK passport holders must obtain a Seychelles Travel Authorisation (eTA) online before travel; no traditional visa is required. The eTA is mandatory for all visitors and must be obtained at or via the Seychelles e-Border app, up to 30 days before departure. Standard processing takes up to 24 hours; an express option is available within 60 minutes for unplanned departures at an additional fee. The eTA functions as pre-travel clearance; the Visitor’s Permit is the physical stamp issued by immigration officers on arrival in Seychelles.
- Passport validity: valid for the period of the intended stay until arrival back in the holder’s country of origin or residence
- Visitor’s Permit on arrival: issued free of charge for up to 3 months; officers typically stamp the full 3 months unless the departure ticket shows an earlier date
- Financial requirement: minimum of US$150 (or equivalent) per day
- Return or onward ticket: required at the point of entry
- Confirmed accommodation: hotel booking with check-out date or a letter of invitation from a host
The Visitor’s Permit covers holiday, business, visiting friends and family, or pleasure purposes. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required when arriving from a listed transmission-risk country. Cash import declaration is mandatory when carrying SCR 50,000 or more, declared at the time of Travel Authorisation application.
eTA Validity Window
The eTA is approved for use up to 30 days before departure. If unused, it lapses and cannot be extended; you must submit a new application.
How Long Is Your Initial Visitor’s Permit on Arrival?
The Visitor’s Permit issued on arrival grants an initial stay of up to 3 months, free of charge. Immigration officers stamp the standard 3 months unless your departure ticket shows an earlier date. The start date is your arrival date in Seychelles. A return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and minimum US$150 (or equivalent) per day in funds are required at entry, per the Immigration and Civil Status Office’s statutory benchmark.
Single Entry vs. Multiple Entry and Re-entry Rules
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation (eTA) is strictly single-journey: the QR code embedded in your approval email expires after one use. Departing Seychelles voids the current Visitor’s Permit, and re-entry requires a fresh eTA application and a new 3-month Visitor’s Permit issued on arrival.
| Feature | Seychelles Travel Authorisation (eTA) | Visitor’s Permit (on arrival) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry type | Single-journey only | Granted per entry |
| QR code validity | Expires after one use | No QR code; physical stamp |
| Effect of departure | Cannot be reused | Voided on exit |
| Re-entry requirement | New eTA application each time | New 3-month permit on arrival |
For example, a trip Seychelles to Mauritius to Seychelles requires two separate eTA applications and two distinct Visitor’s Permits, one per entry.
Does Departing and Re-entering Restart Your Stay?
Yes. Each re-entry triggers a new eTA and a fresh 3-month Visitor’s Permit, but the 12-month cumulative limit continues to apply across all visits combined. Example: 3 months in, leave for 1 week, return for a new 3-month permit; the cumulative clock tracks toward 12 months total.
Extending Your Stay Beyond the Initial Period
Each Visitor’s Permit extension adds up to 3 months at a fee of SCR 5,000 per period or part thereof, set under the Immigration Act (Cap. 93), Section 12(3). Applications must be submitted before the current Visitor’s Permit expires; there is no grace period.
Apply online or in person
Online at permits.ics.gov.sc (card payment) or in person at the Immigration and Civil Status Office, Independence House, Victoria, Mahé
Submit required documents
Valid passport, proof of funds (min US$150/day), extended accommodation confirmation, and a valid return or onward ticket
Pay fee and await processing
Pay the SCR 5,000 fee; submit at least 7 days before expiry to avoid gaps and await processing before the existing permit expires
What Is the Maximum Cumulative Time You Can Stay in Seychelles?
The absolute maximum cumulative stay on a Visitor’s Permit is 12 months, calculated as a rolling total across all visits, not per calendar year. Longer stays require a different permit category, such as a Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP) for workers.
Can You Work Remotely on a Visitor’s Permit?
The Immigration Act (Cap. 93), Section 25(1) prohibits any form of gainful occupation without a Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP). This includes paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time work. Remote work for an overseas employer on a Visitor’s Permit is technically non-compliant, even when payment is received outside Seychelles. Contact the Immigration and Civil Status Office for extended-stay work queries.
Overstay Penalties and Compliance
Overstaying a Seychelles Visitor’s Permit constitutes a serious immigration offence. Consequences escalate from daily fines to blacklisting as a prohibited immigrant, deportation, and a potential ban on future entry.
Report address changes to Immigration: call (+248) 4 293636 or (+248) 4293600, email [email protected], or Enforcement Hotline (+248) 4 303 930. Submit extension applications at least 7 days before expiry online at permits.ics.gov.sc or in person at the Immigration and Civil Status Office, Independence House, Victoria, Mahé.
FAQ: Seychelles eTA Stay Duration and Extensions
How long is the Seychelles Visitor’s Permit valid?
Up to 3 months on arrival, free of charge, stamped by immigration officers.
Can I extend my stay beyond 3 months?
Yes, in 3-month increments at SCR 5,000 each, up to a 12-month cumulative maximum.
Is the eTA valid for multiple entries?
No, single-journey only; the QR code expires after one use and re-entry requires a new eTA.
What happens if I overstay my permit?
Daily fines, potential blacklisting as a prohibited immigrant, deportation, and future entry bans.
How many times can I renew my Visitor’s Permit?
In 3-month increments until the 12-month rolling cumulative maximum is reached.
Does leaving Seychelles reset my stay allowance?
Yes, re-entry grants a fresh 3-month permit, but the 12-month cumulative limit persists across all visits.
How much does a Visitor’s Permit extension cost?
SCR 5,000 per additional 3-month period or part thereof.
Where do I apply for a permit extension?
Online at permits.ics.gov.sc or in person at the Immigration and Civil Status Office, Independence House, Victoria, Mahé.
Can I work remotely on a Visitor’s Permit?
No, the Immigration Act requires a Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP) for any work, including remote work for overseas employers.
Do I need a return ticket for my eTA application?
Yes, a valid return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and proof of funds (minimum US$150/day) are required.
How long can I stay in Seychelles with an eTA? With a valid Seychelles Travel Authorisation (eTA), UK citizens receive a Visitor’s Permit on arrival granting an initial stay of up to 3 months. This permit can be extended in 3-month increments, up to a cumulative maximum of 12 months, with each extension costing SCR 5,000. The eTA is single-journey only; any departure requires a new application for re-entry.
This article was last verified against official Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status Office guidelines (ics.gov.sc) and gov.uk travel advice on 15 September 2026. This is an independent travel information portal and is not affiliated with the Seychelles government. Always verify current requirements with the official Seychelles e-Border portal at before booking travel.
