The Seychelles Travel Authorisation, commonly known as the Seychelles eVisa, is mandatory for all UK travellers, including children, before departure. UK citizens do not need a traditional visa but must apply online at seychelles.govtas.com for a fee of EUR 10.90, with approval typically issued within 12 to 24 hours.
Although British passport holders enjoy visa-free access to the Seychelles, this does not mean travel is document-free. The Seychelles Travel Authorisation is a separate, legally required digital permit, distinct from the visa exemption itself.
This guide is checked regularly against the official Seychelles government portal to ensure fees, documents and processing times stay accurate for UK travellers.
What Is the Seychelles Travel Authorisation?
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation is a mandatory digital entry permit, not a legal visa, issued electronically by the Seychelles government before departure. It replaced the older paper-based visa exemption stamps with a fully online system verified against passport and flight data.
Although searchers look for “Seychelles eVisa”, this informal term never appears on official correspondence. The official Seychelles Travel Authorisation is issued exclusively online to confirm entry conditions are met.
| Term | Official? | Common search term? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seychelles Travel Authorisation | Yes | No | Legal name used by Seychelles authorities |
| Seychelles eVisa | No | Yes | Informal shorthand used by travellers online |
| Visitor’s Permit | Yes | Rarely | Separate document issued on arrival |
Why Is It Called an eVisa If It Is Not a Visa?
Travellers default to “eVisa” because it resembles the electronic visa systems used by other countries. The Seychelles Travel Authorisation confirms eligibility for visa-free entry, rather than granting visa status.
Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for the Seychelles?
While visa-exempt, UK citizens must hold an approved Seychelles Travel Authorisation before boarding. Visa-free status does not eliminate this paperwork.
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation applies to every traveller regardless of age, including infants and children. Each person needs their own approved record; a family cannot travel under one shared application.
🇬🇧 UK Travellers – Key Takeaway
No visa is required, but the Seychelles eVisa (Travel Authorisation) is mandatory for 100% of British passport holders, adults and children alike, before departure.
UK Passport Validity Rules – Post-Brexit Explained
Seychelles immigration rules differ from Schengen requirements. A UK passport only needs to remain valid for the entire duration of the stay, through to return to the UK or country of residence.
No Schengen-style 3- or 6-month buffer is required. Passports must remain valid throughout the stay to avoid application invalidation.
How to Apply for the Seychelles Travel Authorisation
Applications for the Seychelles Travel Authorisation are submitted exclusively via the official portal seychelles.govtas.com or the Seychelles E-Border app, developed by Travizory Border Security SA.
Step 1 – Creating Your Account
Register on the official portal or app using a valid email address before starting the Seychelles Travel Authorisation form.
Step 2 – Filling in the Application Form
Enter passport details, contact information, and confirmed flight dates for arrival and departure.
Step 3 – Uploading Required Documents
Attach a passport scan, passport-style selfie, flight itinerary, and accommodation booking confirmation.
Step 4 – Payment and Final Submission
Pay the EUR 10.90 processing fee by card and submit. Approval typically arrives by email within 12-24 hours.
Seychelles Travel Authorisation Requirements for UK Citizens
British applicants need a valid passport, a passport-style selfie, confirmed flight itinerary, and proof of accommodation for the Seychelles Travel Authorisation application.
Document Checklist for British Applicants
| Document | Format | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | Colour scan/photo | Biodata page, all details legible |
| Passport-style selfie | JPEG/PNG | Plain background, face clearly visible |
| Flight booking | PDF/screenshot | Must show arrival and departure dates |
| Accommodation booking | PDF/screenshot | Hotel voucher or villa confirmation |
| Payment card | Debit/credit | Required to settle the processing fee |
Passport Requirements for UK Citizens
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation requires a passport valid for the entire duration of the visitor’s stay, until return to the UK. There is no Schengen-style rule demanding an extra three or six months of validity beyond the travel dates.
Health Requirements & Yellow Fever Certificate
A Yellow Fever certificate is mandatory only for travellers arriving from, or transiting more than 12 hours through, an airport in a Yellow Fever-endemic country, such as an Ethiopian hub. UK-origin flights without such a stopover are exempt.
Seychelles Travel Authorisation Cost & Processing Times
Standard processing of the Seychelles Travel Authorisation costs EUR 10.90 and takes 12-24 hours. An urgent express option exists (fee unconfirmed at publication). All fees are non-refundable. These figures are checked against the official government portal to ensure accuracy.
Standard vs. Express Processing – Fees & Turnaround
| Processing Type | Fee | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | EUR 10.90 | Up to 24 hours |
| Express | Confirm exact fee at publication | Approximately 60 minutes |
When Should You Apply?
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation application window opens 30 days before arrival. The Seychelles government recommends submitting the application at least 10 days before departure to allow time for document corrections or payment issues.
Validity, Stay Duration & the Visitor’s Permit
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation permits a single entry only, after which a free Visitor’s Permit grants UK tourists up to 3 months in the Seychelles.
What Is the Seychelles Visitor’s Permit?
Border officers check the approved Seychelles Travel Authorisation on arrival and stamp a Visitor’s Permit into the passport at no charge. This permit, not the Travel Authorisation itself, governs the actual length of stay.
The initial Visitor’s Permit is valid for up to 3 months. UK travellers cannot re-enter on the same Travel Authorisation once they leave Seychelles; a fresh application is required for any subsequent trip.
Extending Your Stay Beyond 3 Months
Visitors wishing to stay longer can extend the permit in successive 3-month blocks, up to a maximum total stay of 12 months. Each extension costs SCR 5,000 per 3-month period.
Extensions can be requested online at permits.ics.gov.sc or in person at the following office:
Immigration and Civil Status Office, Independence House, Victoria, Mahé, SeychellesApply before the current permit expires to avoid any gap in legal status during processing.
Arriving in the Seychelles – Airport Process, Finances & Customs Rules
At Mahé Airport (SEZ), border officers scan the QR code on the approved Seychelles Travel Authorisation, check the passport, and verify the traveller holds sufficient funds for the stay.
What to Expect at Mahé Airport (SEZ)
Officers cross-reference the Seychelles Travel Authorisation against the passport and the confirmed accommodation booking submitted during the application. No separate landing form is required for holders of an approved authorisation.
Financial Requirements upon Arrival
Travellers must demonstrate access to at least USD 150 per day of their intended stay, either in cash, cards, or a combination of both, before being cleared through the checkpoint.
Customs, Currency Limits & Prohibited Items
Two separate currency rules apply. Physical import of local Seychellois rupees is capped at SCR 2,000. Separately, any cash (in any currency) totalling SCR 50,000 or more must be declared on the Travel Authorisation form itself; the two limits are not interchangeable.
Duty-free allowances cover 2 litres of spirits, 2 litres of wine, 200ml of perfume, and 200 cigarettes or 250g of tobacco. E-cigarettes and vapes require a special permit; devices carried without one risk confiscation on arrival.
Travelling with Children & Transit Passengers
Every child needs an individual Seychelles Travel Authorisation application, while transit passengers staying airside at Mahé Airport do not need one.
Do Children Need Their Own Travel Authorisation?
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation requires a separate application for every minor, regardless of age, including infants. Parents cannot add children to their own approval or list them as dependants on a single form.
Each child’s application needs its own passport scan matching the applicant’s details. A birth certificate is recommended when it is not written in English, as border officers may request it to confirm the relationship between the child and accompanying adult.
Transit Passengers – Do You Need a TA for Layovers?
The Seychelles eVisa is not required for passengers who remain within the airside transit zone at Mahé Airport (SEZ) and do not pass through immigration control. This exemption applies only to connecting flights where travellers stay inside the international transit area.
Anyone leaving the transit zone, collecting checked luggage, or clearing immigration for any reason must hold an approved Travel Authorisation before doing so.
Common Application Issues & Troubleshooting Tips
UK applicants most frequently encounter payment declines, selfie upload rejections, and pending statuses exceeding 24 hours on the Seychelles Travel Authorisation portal.
Payment Declined – What to Do
- Enable international transactions on your card before resubmitting the Seychelles Travel Authorisation form.
- Try an alternate card or a digital provider such as Revolut or Wise if the first attempt fails.
- Avoid multiple rapid retries, as duplicate charges are non-refundable.
Selfie & Document Upload Errors
- Use a plain white background with your face filling 70-80% of the frame.
- Upload files in JPEG or PNG format, capped at 2MB per file.
- If the website rejects an upload repeatedly, switch to the official Seychelles E-Border app (iOS/Android, developed by Travizory Border Security SA, iOS package size 345.2 MB), which often handles image compression more reliably.
Staying Safe: Official Resources & Avoiding Scam Websites
The only legitimate channels for the Seychelles Travel Authorisation are seychelles.govtas.com and the official Seychelles E-Border app for iOS and Android. Both are operated directly by Seychelles immigration authorities and charge the standard EUR 10.90 fee.
Third-party “visa agency” websites often mimic the government portal’s design while charging inflated service fees on top of the official cost, and pose a data-handling risk since applicants upload passport scans, selfies and payment details.
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation should never require payment through an unfamiliar intermediary or a site lacking the .govtas.com domain. Applicants experiencing account or payment problems should contact support directly via the official government portal rather than searching for third-party help.
Seychelles eVisa FAQ: Travel Authorisation Questions Answered
Is the Seychelles eVisa free for UK citizens?
No. UK citizens are visa-exempt but must still pay the standard EUR 10.90 Seychelles Travel Authorisation fee via seychelles.govtas.com. This fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
How long does approval of the Seychelles Travel Authorisation take?
A receipt confirmation arrives instantly after submission; the approval email typically follows within 12-24 hours. An express option exists for urgent cases, though its exact fee remains unconfirmed, so plan around standard timing.
Do children need their own Seychelles Travel Authorisation?
Yes. Every child, regardless of age, requires an individual Seychelles Travel Authorisation application with its own passport scan. Include the child’s birth certificate if it is not issued in English, to avoid processing delays.
Can I use a third-party website to apply for the Seychelles eVisa?
Only apply through seychelles.govtas.com or the official Seychelles E-Border app, developed by Travizory Border Security SA. Third-party sites may charge inflated fees, mishandle personal data, and are not affiliated with the official Seychelles Travel Authorisation system.
What happens if my Seychelles Travel Authorisation application is rejected?
The fee is non-refundable if rejected. Review passport validity, flight details, and accommodation proof for errors, then submit a corrected application well ahead of the recommended 10-day window before departure.
Do transit passengers at Mahe Airport need a Seychelles eVisa?
No. Transit passengers who remain within the airside zone at Mahe Airport and do not pass through immigration do not need a Seychelles Travel Authorisation. Anyone leaving the transit area must hold an approved Travel Authorisation like any other arriving traveller.
How long must my passport be valid for entry into the Seychelles?
Your passport must remain valid for the entire duration of your stay, until your return to your country of origin or residence. Unlike Schengen rules, no additional three or six month buffer is required.
What is the Seychelles Visitor’s Permit and how does it differ from the Travel Authorisation?
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation is the digital permit approved before departure and allows single entry. On arrival, travellers receive a free Visitor’s Permit valid for up to 3 months, extendable in 3-month periods up to a maximum of 12 months.
How much cash can I bring into the Seychelles?
Two separate rules apply. Physical import of local Seychellois rupees is capped at SCR 2,000. Separately, any currency totalling SCR 50,000 or more must be declared on the Travel Authorisation form. These are distinct requirements.
Is the Seychelles Travel Authorisation single-entry or multiple-entry?
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation is single-entry, permitting one arrival per approved application. Travellers planning multiple trips need to submit a new application ahead of each journey.
