UK citizens do not need a visa to enter the Seychelles. British passport holders can stay visa-free for up to 90 days under a free Visitor’s Permit, but every traveller must first secure an approved Travel Authorisation (also known as an eTA), which costs €10.00 per person.
This Travel Authorisation is not optional paperwork. It is the mandatory pre-departure document that has effectively replaced the traditional visa for British passport holders, and it must be submitted through the official Seychelles Electronic Border System before boarding any flight to Mahé. For a full step-by-step walkthrough, see our complete guide to the Seychelles Travel Authorisation. Approval is typically issued within 24 hours as a PDF with a QR code, sent directly by email.
Do UK Citizens Need a Visa for the Seychelles?
UK citizens enjoy visa-free entry to the Seychelles for stays of up to 90 days, but every British passport holder must still hold an approved Travel Authorisation before boarding. On arrival at Mahé, immigration officers issue a free Visitor’s Permit valid for 3 months (90 days) to UK citizens who present this Travel Authorisation.
Passport validity follows the duration-of-stay rule, not the six-month rule some visa agencies claim. British passports need only remain valid for the length of the trip, though 1-2 blank pages are recommended for entry stamps.
Entry conditions checked alongside the Travel Authorisation include a return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and sufficient funds of roughly US$150 per day. For the full list of supporting documents, refer to our Seychelles eVisa requirements checklist for UK travellers. These requirements are confirmed by the official FCDO travel advice and ics.gov.sc.
How to Get Your Seychelles Travel Authorisation
The Seychelles Travel Authorisation is a fully digital pre-departure document costing €10.00 (approx. £9.00) per person via seychelles.govtas.com. This eTA replaces the traditional visa and must be submitted up to 30 days before arrival.
Applicants upload a passport bio-page scan, a headshot, an onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and a payment card. Contrary to inaccurate claims from agencies such as CIBTvisas, the process is entirely digital: no physical passport is ever mailed. Approval arrives by email as a PDF with a QR code, valid for boarding and border checks. If your application is refused, consult our guide on fixing Travel Authorisation rejections and system errors. Arriving without an approved Travel Authorisation triggers a penalty fee at Mahé airport.
| Route | Total Cost | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Government portal (direct) | €10.00 (~£9.00) | ~24 hours |
| Third-party, standard (Sherpa) | ~$35.00 | Standard |
| Third-party, urgent (Sherpa) | ~$87.00 | ~1 day |
For a full breakdown of fees, third-party markups, and processing-time tiers, see our Seychelles eVisa cost and processing guide.
Extending Your Stay, Family Travel and Transit Rules
UK citizens can extend their Visitor’s Permit up to 12 months in total, but children and transit passengers each follow separate Travel Authorisation rules that British passport holders must plan for individually.
- Extending beyond 90 days: the Visitor’s Permit can be renewed in 3-month increments, up to a maximum stay of 12 months. Each extension costs SCR 5,000 (Seychellois rupees, approx. £280) and must be applied for before the current permit expires. For detailed steps and work-permit transition options, read our Seychelles Visitor Permit extension guide.
- Where to apply: extensions are processed in person at the
Immigration and Civil Status Office, Independence House, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles - Children and infants: every child, including infants, must hold their own passport and their own approved Travel Authorisation, at the standard €10 fee per person. Our Seychelles visa guide for children and families covers consent rules and documentation in full.
- Single-parent travel: a birth certificate and written parental consent are advisable when a child travels with only one parent.
- Transit passengers: UK travellers who remain airside at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ) do not need a Travel Authorisation. Anyone who clears immigration during a layover, including many Qatar Airways (via Doha) or Emirates (via Dubai) connections, must hold an approved TA beforehand and should confirm transit terms with their airline.
Health, Funds and Pre-Departure Checklist for UK Travellers
UK travellers should carry travel medical insurance, hold at least US$150 per day in available funds, and obtain a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate only when transiting an endemic country. The Seychelles Travel Authorisation for UK citizens does not replace these financial and health checks, which border officers may verify independently on arrival.
While direct flights from the UK require no vaccinations, travellers aged 1 and above transiting endemic countries must present a Yellow Fever certificate issued at least 10 days before arrival. Cash carried into the Seychelles above SCR 50,000 (Seychellois rupees, approx. £2,800) must be declared at customs.
Dual nationals travelling on a British passport remain subject to the same Seychelles Travel Authorisation rules as any other UK citizen.
| Requirement | Status / Action |
|---|---|
| Travel Authorisation approved | PDF/QR code received by email |
| Passport validity | Valid for full duration of stay |
| Blank passport pages | 1-2 recommended |
| Return or onward ticket | Confirmed booking held |
| Accommodation proof | Confirmed reservation attached to TA |
| Travel insurance | Medical and evacuation cover recommended |
| Funds available | US$150 per day minimum |
FAQ: Seychelles Visa for UK Citizens
Do British citizens need a visa to visit the Seychelles in 2026?
No. UK citizens do not need a traditional visa. British passport holders receive a free Visitor’s Permit valid for up to 90 days, but every traveller must hold an approved Travel Authorisation (eTA) before departure, submitted via the Seychelles Electronic Border System at a government fee of €10.00 per applicant.
How do I apply for a Seychelles Travel Authorisation from the UK?
UK citizens apply exclusively through seychelles.govtas.com, up to 30 days before arrival, uploading a passport bio-page scan, a photo, proof of onward travel, and confirmed accommodation. The approved Travel Authorisation is emailed as a PDF with a QR code.
How much does the Seychelles Travel Authorisation cost for UK citizens?
The official fee is €10.00 (approximately £9.00) per applicant via seychelles.govtas.com. Third-party agencies such as Sherpa charge around $35.00 for standard processing or $87.00 for urgent processing, so applying directly avoids unnecessary markups.
How long does it take to get the Seychelles Travel Authorisation approved?
Standard processing through the government portal typically takes up to 24 hours. UK citizens should apply up to 30 days before departure to avoid last-minute issues before their flight.
What happens if I arrive in the Seychelles without a Travel Authorisation?
Travellers without an approved Travel Authorisation face a penalty fee on arrival, since the document is mandatory for every visitor. It must be approved before departure from the UK, not after landing.
Do children and infants need their own Travel Authorisation?
Yes. Every child and infant travelling to the Seychelles needs an individual passport and a separate Travel Authorisation, at the same €10.00 government fee as adults.
Do UK citizens need a Yellow Fever vaccination for the Seychelles?
Not for direct flights from the UK. It is required only when arriving from or transiting an endemic country, with the certificate issued at least 10 days before arrival, for travellers aged 1 and above.
Can I extend my Seychelles Visitor’s Permit beyond 90 days?
Yes. The permit can be extended in 3-month increments up to a maximum of 12 months total. Each extension costs SCR 5,000 (approximately £280) and must be requested at the Immigration and Civil Status Office, Independence House, Victoria, Mahé, before the current permit expires.
Do I need a Travel Authorisation if I’m only transiting through the Seychelles?
Not if you remain airside without clearing immigration. If your connection, for example via Doha or Dubai, requires clearing immigration, a Travel Authorisation becomes mandatory, so confirm transit terms with your airline.
Is travel insurance required to enter the Seychelles from the UK?
It is not strictly mandatory but is strongly recommended, since it covers medical treatment and emergency evacuation. UK citizens should also carry proof of sufficient funds, generally around US$150 per day.
Disclaimer: This is an independent information portal and is not affiliated with the Seychelles Government. While every effort is made to keep entry requirements for UK citizens updated for 2026, immigration policies can change without notice. Always cross-reference your travel plans with the Seychelles Electronic Border System before booking.
