Area: 455 km²
Residents: 93,186
Population density: 205 E / km²
Form of Government: Republic
System of Government: Presidential system
State capital: Victoria
National Languages: Seychelles Creole, French and English
Religions:
90% Catholic,
around 8% Protestants or Anglicans,
0.35% Jehovah’s Witnesses
Currency: Seychelles rupee (SCR)
1 SCR = 100 cents
Exchange rates:
1 EUR = 24.13 SCR
100 SCR = 3.84 EUR
1 CHF = 21.81 SCR
100 SCR = 4.25 CHF
(rate from 25.03.2021)
Telephone prefix: +248
Time zone: UTC +4
In 2019, 10 Germans officially emigrated to the Seychelles and 11 returned to their homeland. Within the 10 years from 2010 to 2019, 139 Germans officially emigrated to the Seychelles and 141 moved back to Germany. Many holidaymakers are always drawn to the white sandy beaches, the warm climate and the diving opportunities.
According to allcitycodes, the Seychelles have the largest share of nature reserves worldwide, measured as a percentage of the land area. Almost half of the islands, some even completely, are under protection and some of them are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The fauna and flora of the islands is overwhelming. There are, for example, numerous giant tortoises, flightless birds (white-throated rail) and an impressive underwater world.
The island paradise includes 115 islands, less than half of which are inhabited. The islands are subdivided into the “Inner Islands”, grouped around the main island Mahé (155 km2 with the capital Victoria) – granite islands with lush vegetation and high peaks – and the “Outer Islands” – flat coral islands with the Aldabra Atoll.
On Praslin, in the Vallée de Mai (UNESCO World Heritage Site) you can find the Seychelles Vasa parrot and the famous Coco de Mer, the Seychelles nut (up to 22 kg!). The climate is tropical and is determined by the monsoons. The temperatures are relatively constant all year round, mostly between 24 ° C and 30 ° C. The main season is May to September, when it is a little cooler and there is no rainy season. December to May can be very humid.
Travel and Immigration
Changed travel regulations during and after the corona pandemic
A negative PCR test must be presented for entry, which must not be older than 72 hours upon departure. In addition, a Travel Health Authorization must be applied for before departure via the official website of the Seychelles government or the mobile app. This requires a passport, passport photo, contact details, flight details, proof of all (certified) accommodations, negative PCR test results, proof of vaccination (if available), proof of foreign health insurance with COVID-19 coverage and credit or bank card. It can take up to nine hours to process. The fee is 10 euros.
In emergencies and urgent cases, an express surcharge of 60 euros will be charged. In principle, visitors from some countries cannot obtain an entry permit. A health check is carried out upon entry.
Special rules apply to foreign workers (Gainful Occupation Permits, GOP) and Germans residing in the Seychelles. Special rules also apply to entry by private plane and by sea. A special entry form must be completed for this purpose.
Source: Federal Foreign Office on July 27, 2021
General provisions for travel and residence (until the corona pandemic)
Tourist / visitor
No visa is required to enter the Seychelles. The Seychelles are a visa-free country. Upon entry, a residence permit is applied for and issued, which is valid until the end of the travel period and can easily be extended up to 1 year on site. The documents required for entry are: valid passport (at least valid until the planned departure), return ticket or onward ticket or ticket reservation (also for sailing charter), proof or address of the accommodation and proof of sufficient financial means for the length of the stay (at least $ 150 per day).
Employed / self-employed
Anyone wishing to work in the Seychelles needs a Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP). The application for this should be submitted at least 10 weeks before entry. The processing fee is 1000 SCR and the fee for the entire duration of the requested permit is 700 SCR per month.
Permanent residence permit
A permanent residence permit can be issued to a person who has a domestic or family relationship with the Seychelles or who will make a special contribution to the economic, social or cultural life of the Seychelles.
During the residence permit you have to stay in the Seychelles for at least 5 days within 12 months. Anyone staying in the Seychelles for more than 1 month must leave a security deposit with the bank and issue a bank guarantee of at least SCR 20,000 to the Director General for Immigration with authorization to use this to cover the applicant’s costs in an emergency.
The processing fee is $ 5. The fee for the residence permit is 50,000 SCR for an adult and 1,000 SCR for a minor.
Study
A study permit or student ID is issued to a person who wants to study in the Seychelles. The student must be able to prove that he is enrolled in a recognized educational institution and has sufficient financial means to look after himself for the duration of the stay. A student permit does not entitle you to take up work. The processing fee is 1,000 SCR and the fee for the permit is another 1,500 SCR and applies for the duration of the course.
The import of unprocessed food, fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants, plant seeds and the like is strictly prohibited. Valuable electronic devices must be declared upon entry. There is no limit to the amount of foreign currency that can be imported, but must be declared for amounts greater than 10,000 US dollars. The national currency may only be imported or exported up to an amount of 2000 SCR.
For visa matters such as exceptions and extensions, please contact:
Ministry of Employment, Immigration and Civil Status
Independence House
PO Box 430, Victoria
Mahé, Seychelles
Tel: +248 29 36 36
Fax: +248 22 50 35
Email: info @ immigration. gov.sc
All information for future reference can be found at mfa.gov.sc and ics.gov.sc.
