Guide reviewed for accuracy: 2026.
Indian citizens do not need a traditional visa to enter the Seychelles, but they must obtain a mandatory Travel Authorization (TA) online before departure. This TA is the modern replacement for what many travellers still search for as “Seychelles visa on arrival for Indian” citizens. The TA costs from EUR 10.90 and requires a valid passport, a confirmed return ticket, travel insurance, and proof of at least USD 150 per day. Once cleared at Mahé International Airport, Indian citizens receive a Visitor’s Permit valid for up to 90 days.
Do Indian Citizens Need a Visa for the Seychelles?
Indian citizens do not need a visa for the Seychelles but must secure a mandatory pre-departure Travel Authorization and receive a Visitor’s Permit at entry. For a nationality-specific overview, see our complete Seychelles visa guide for Indian citizens. The Seychelles Travel Authorization (TA) functions as an electronic pre-clearance, not a stamped visa: Indian passport holders complete it online before boarding, then present the approved QR code to airline staff and immigration officers at Mahé.
Border officers issue the actual entry permission at the airport as a Visitor’s Permit, valid for up to 90 days. Indian citizens must meet several pre-conditions before applying: a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed return ticket, travel medical insurance, and proof of at least USD 150 per day in available funds. The online TA is a mandatory pre-departure requirement, replacing the outdated “visa on arrival” process that still circulates in search results.
No visa required – Travel Authorization is mandatory before departure.
How to Apply for the Mandatory Seychelles Travel Authorization from India
Indian applicants submit the Seychelles Travel Authorization via the Seychelles Electronic Border System, paying a government fee starting at EUR 10.90, with processing ranging from 1 to 24 hours. A detailed breakdown of Seychelles eVisa fees and all processing tiers is available on a separate page. The Seychelles Travel Authorization must be approved before boarding, not on arrival at Mahé. Separately, all travellers must also complete the Embarkation Information Form, a mandatory digital submission required shortly before departure.
During test applications on the Seychelles Electronic Border System, document uploads failed most often when files exceeded size limits; keep passport scans and photos as JPEG files under 2MB to avoid submission errors.
- Create an account on the Seychelles Electronic Border System.
- Upload a passport copy, passport-style photo, and confirmed flight tickets.
- Choose a processing tier and pay the fee online.
- Receive the approved QR code by email for check-in and border control.
Processing Tiers and Fees
| Tier | Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | EUR 10.90 | ~24 hours |
| Premium | EUR 30 | ~6 hours |
| Urgent | EUR 70 | ~60 minutes |
Paying the TA Fee from India
UPI, RuPay, and Indian NetBanking are not accepted. Use an international Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal. Enable “international transactions” on your ICICI, HDFC, or SBI banking app before applying to avoid a declined payment. If your payment does get rejected, consult our guide to fixing Seychelles Travel Authorization payment errors and application rejections.
Essential Documents Checklist for Indian Citizens Entering the Seychelles
Indian citizens need six core documents before departure: a passport valid for the recommended six-month minimum, a confirmed return ticket, proof of accommodation, travel medical insurance, evidence of USD 150 per day in funds, and an approved Seychelles Travel Authorization (TA). Our full Seychelles Travel Authorization document checklist covers every requirement in greater detail.
- Passport validity: Although Seychelles law (ics.gov.sc) only requires passport validity for the duration of stay, airlines such as IndiGo, Emirates, and Qatar Airways enforce the IATA six-month rule at check-in in India. Carry a passport valid for at least six months to avoid boarding denial.
- Return or onward ticket: A confirmed booking is verified during the Travel Authorization application.
- Proof of accommodation: A booking confirmation covering the full stay at a certified lodging in Mahé, Praslin, or La Digue must match the TA dates.
- Travel medical insurance: Cover must include medical treatment, hospitalisation, and COVID-19 isolation costs for the entire stay.
- Sufficient funds: Indian travellers must show USD 150 per day per person (ics.gov.sc) in cash, card limits, or bank statements. Cash of 50,000 Seychellois Rupees (SCR) or more must be declared at the border.
Travellers arriving from, or transiting more than 12 hours through, yellow fever endemic countries such as Kenya or Ethiopia must carry a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate. This applies regardless of nationality.
At Mahé Airport: Visitor’s Permit, Fund Checks and Extending Your Stay
At Mahé International Airport, immigration officers scan the approved Seychelles Travel Authorization QR code, issue a Visitor’s Permit valid for up to 90 days, and may request proof of USD 150 daily funds from Indian travellers.
Officers verifying financial sufficiency for Indian passport holders typically accept:
- Cash in USD or EUR covering the full trip duration
- Printed bank statements stamped within the previous 48 hours
- International credit card statements showing an available limit matching the required amount
Because airport Wi-Fi is unreliable, Indian travellers should carry printed or offline financial proof instead of relying on live mobile banking apps. If carrying cash, use US Dollar bills printed after 2013 in clean, uncreased condition; older or damaged notes are frequently rejected by exchange booths and immigration officers.
The initial Visitor’s Permit covers up to 90 days, matched against the confirmed return ticket and accommodation booking presented at the border. Extending beyond this period requires an in-person application at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria, Mahé, with a fee charged in Seychellois Rupee (SCR); the exact amount is not published. Total stay, including extensions, cannot exceed 12 months. For full details on the extension process and transitioning to employment, see our Seychelles Visitor Permit extension and work permit guide.
You cannot convert a Visitor’s Permit into a work permit (Gainful Occupation Permit) while in the Seychelles. Working on a tourist permit risks deportation.
FAQ: Seychelles Visa on Arrival for Indian Citizens
Do Indian citizens need a visa to visit the Seychelles?
No. The Seychelles offers visa-free entry, but Indian citizens must complete a mandatory Travel Authorization before departure and receive a Visitor’s Permit on arrival.
What is the Seychelles Travel Authorization and is it mandatory?
The Travel Authorization (TA) is a mandatory pre-departure electronic clearance submitted via the Seychelles Electronic Border System before every Indian traveller boards, regardless of trip purpose.
How much does the Seychelles TA cost for Indian applicants?
Standard tier costs EUR 10.90 (~24 hours), Premium EUR 30 (~6 hours), and Urgent EUR 70 (~60 minutes), paid online during application.
How long can Indian citizens stay in the Seychelles without a visa?
Up to 90 days on the initial Visitor’s Permit, extendable to a maximum total stay of 12 months at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria, Mahé.
Does my Indian passport need six months validity for the Seychelles?
Seychelles law only requires validity for the stay, but airlines like IndiGo, Emirates, and Qatar Airways enforce the IATA six-month rule at check-in, so carry at least six months’ validity.
Can I pay the Seychelles TA fee with an Indian debit or UPI account?
No. UPI, RuPay, and NetBanking are not accepted; use an international Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal, and enable international transactions on Indian banking apps such as ICICI, HDFC, or SBI first.
Do Indian travellers transiting Dubai or Doha need a transit visa for the Seychelles trip?
No transit visa is needed for Indian citizens transiting Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi on Emirates, Qatar Airways, or Etihad flights if the layover is under 24 hours.
What documents does a minor travelling with one parent need for the Seychelles?
Carry a notarized, English-translated consent affidavit from the absent parent or guardian, plus the child’s birth certificate.
Can I extend my Seychelles Visitor’s Permit beyond 90 days?
Yes, at the Immigration and Civil Status Office in Victoria, Mahé, up to a 12-month total stay; the extension fee is charged in Seychellois Rupees but not publicly listed.
Is a Yellow Fever certificate required for Indian citizens flying to the Seychelles?
Only if arriving from, or transiting more than 12 hours through, a yellow fever risk country such as Kenya or Ethiopia; not required for direct flights from India.
Disclaimer: This portal is an independent travel information guide and is not affiliated with, authorised by, or associated with the Government of Seychelles or any immigration department. For direct applications and current official updates, visit the Seychelles Electronic Border System at seychelles.govtas.com or the Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status Department.
