Last updated: 15 September 2026. This is an independent informational guide, not affiliated with the Government of Seychelles. Always consult the official Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) at for current requirements.
UK travellers transiting airside through Seychelles International Airport do not need a Seychelles eVisa for transit passengers. If you leave the transit zone or have an overnight layover, a Travel Authorisation (eTA) is mandatory, applied online via the SEBS platform, with standard processing within 24 hours at €10. Business visitors and maritime crew face separate permit rules beyond the standard Seychelles eTA. Since Brexit, UK citizens are treated as third-country nationals; ensure your passport has at least 6 months’ validity beyond your stay.
“I transited airside for 6 hours and only needed my onward ticket – no eTA required,” reports UK traveller Sarah M., who connected through Seychelles in August 2026.
Do Transit Passengers Need a Seychelles eVisa?
Airside transit passengers remaining within the international zone at Seychelles International Airport do not need a Seychelles eTA, but any landside transit, overnight layover, or exit from the terminal requires one. Visa-on-arrival is abolished; Travel Authorisation is now mandatory. The Seychelles eVisa for transit passengers applies to UK citizens and most other nationalities who pass through immigration control during their connection on Mahé.
| Transit Scenario | eTA Required | What Happens at Arrival | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airside transit (staying in international zone) | No | Remain in transit lounge; no immigration clearance | Same-day connections only; leaving the transit zone triggers the eTA requirement |
| Landside transit or overnight layover | Yes | Clear immigration; Visitor’s Permit issued on arrival (90 days, free of charge) | UK citizens and most nationalities require the Seychelles eVisa for transit passengers |
| Maritime transit (arriving by yacht or vessel) | Recommended | Port authority clearance at Port Victoria | No specific airside regulation for seaport arrivals; apply preemptively |
How to Apply for a Seychelles Transit eVisa
UK travellers apply for the Seychelles eVisa for transit passengers through the Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) at by uploading documents and paying the €10 fee at least 48 hours before departure.
Create an account
On the SEBS platform and select “Transit” as your Travel Authorisation type.
Complete the form
With travel details and upload: passport bio-page scan, confirmed onward ticket with flight number, transit itinerary, and proof of accommodation if overnight or landside.
Pay the processing fee
By credit or debit card.
Receive confirmation
By email as a PDF within a maximum of 12 hours after registration.
Present the PDF (printed or on mobile) at the airport. The SEBS platform offers 24/7 live chat support for application queries. You may submit your Seychelles eVisa for transit passengers application up to 30 days before arrival. All fees are non-refundable if the application is rejected.
| Tier | Processing Time | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Within 24 hours | €10 |
| Premium | Within 6 hours | €30 |
| Expedited | Approx. 60 minutes | €70 |
Business Travel and Yacht Crew Entry Rules
The eTA is identical for business and tourist purposes. The Visitor’s Permit issued on arrival (90 days, free of charge) governs permitted activities: conferences, negotiations, and business meetings fall within its scope. Employment, long-term contracts exceeding 30 days, and running a business require a Gainful Occupational Permit (GOP) instead. When in doubt, contact the Seychelles Employment Department before travelling.
Yacht crew and commercial seafarers arriving through Port Victoria must follow specific maritime clearance protocols. Private yacht arrivals require 48-72 hours advance notice to port and immigration authorities. A Maritime Declaration of Health must be submitted digitally before docking, followed by biosecurity inspection upon arrival. Commercial seafarers may use a Seaman’s Book (Discharge Book) as a valid entry document for crew changes, with a shipping agent providing guarantees and clearance coordination. Temporary shore leave permissions depend on the vessel’s berthing status and immigration officer discretion.
Visitor’s Permit extensions are available in 3-month increments up to a maximum of 12 months, with a fee applying for each extension. Applications can be submitted online or in person at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria before the current permit expires.
Health Requirements, Customs, and Extending Your Stay
Seychelles requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from endemic countries; a <12-hour airside transit without leaving the airport exempts you from this rule. If your transit exceeds 12 hours in a yellow fever risk area, or if you leave the airport, the certificate is required from age 1 onward.
| Item | Allowance |
|---|---|
| Spirits / liquor | 2 litres |
| Wine | 2 litres |
| Perfume | 200 ml |
| Cigarettes | 200 |
| Tobacco | 250 g |
| Food (total value) | €200 (SCR 3,000) |
| Seychellois rupee banknotes | SCR 2,000 |
Cash of SCR 50,000 or more in any currency must be declared in your Travel Authorisation application. You may import up to SCR 2,000 in Seychellois rupee banknotes. E-cigarettes require a special import permit; without it, your device will be confiscated on arrival. Duty on excess food is payable in cash (SCR) only; cards are not accepted.
Visitor’s Permit extensions are granted in 3-month increments to a maximum of 12 months; apply online two weeks before expiry or in person at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria. A fee applies for each extension.
Sources: Seychelles Department of Immigration , UK Government travel advice (gov.uk), Seychelles Port Authority, Seychelles Ministry of Health, Seychelles Customs.
Seychelles eVisa for Transit Passengers: FAQ
Can UK citizens transit through Seychelles without an eVisa if they stay airside?
Yes. UK travellers remaining in the international transit zone at Seychelles International Airport do not need a Travel Authorisation. If you pass through immigration, leave the airport, or have an overnight layover, a Seychelles eTA is mandatory.
What happens if my transit layover in Seychelles is overnight?
An overnight layover requires a Seychelles Travel Authorisation. Leaving the transit zone requires clearing immigration with a valid eTA, plus proof of accommodation and onward ticket.
How long does Seychelles transit eVisa approval take if I apply on the same day?
Standard processing takes up to 24 hours (€10). Premium delivers within 6 hours (€30); expedited takes approximately 60 minutes (€70). All fees are non-refundable. Apply at least 48 hours before your flight.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate if I am only transiting through Seychelles for less than 12 hours?
If your transit stopover is under 12 hours and you do not officially enter the country, you are exempt. A short airside connection via Addis Ababa would qualify. If your transit exceeds 12 hours in a yellow fever risk area, or if you leave the airport, the certificate is required from age 1 onward.
I have dual nationality. Which passport should I use for my Seychelles transit eVisa?
Use the passport you will travel on. British dual nationals returning to the UK must present a valid British citizen passport or a certificate of entitlement. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay in Seychelles.
Can I enter Seychelles on a yacht without applying for a travel authorisation in advance?
No. Yacht crew arriving through Port Victoria must give 48 to 72 hours of advance notice to port and immigration authorities. A Maritime Declaration of Health must be submitted digitally before docking, and biosecurity inspection takes place upon arrival.
Is there a difference between a Seychelles business eVisa and a standard tourist eVisa?
No. The Seychelles Travel Authorisation is the same electronic document regardless of travel purpose. The Visitor’s Permit issued on arrival covers tourism and short business activities. Employed work or contracts exceeding 30 days require a GOP.
How much cash can I bring into Seychelles without declaring it?
You may import up to SCR 2,000 in Seychellois rupee banknotes. If you carry SCR 50,000 or more in any currency equivalent, you must declare it in your Travel Authorisation application.
What customs allowances apply to alcohol and tobacco when entering Seychelles?
Travellers may import up to 2 litres of spirits or liquor, 2 litres of wine, 200 cigarettes, and 250 g of tobacco duty-free. Perfume is limited to 200 ml. Food imports are capped at €200 (SCR 3,000). Excess food duty must be paid in cash in SCR only.
Can I extend my Seychelles Visitor’s Permit online?
Yes. The Visitor’s Permit, issued on arrival for 90 days free of charge, can be extended in 3-month increments up to a maximum total of 12 months. Apply online before your current permit expires, or in person at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria. A fee applies for each extension.
