Seychelles
Country Specific Information
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April 27, 2012

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: The Republic of Seychelles consists of 115 islands off the east coast of Africa. The main islands of the archipelago include Mahé, which is the largest, followed by Praslin and La Digue. The total population is approximately 90,945. The capital, Victoria, is located on Mahé. The three official languages spoken in the Seychelles are Creole, English and French.

Read the Department of State Background Notes on Seychelles for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit the Seychelles, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you enroll your trip with us, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

U.S. Embassy Mauritius

Rogers House on John F. Kennedy Street in Port Louis, Mauritius, 4th floor
Telephone: ( 230) 202-4400
Facsimile: ( 248) 225-189

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: A valid passport, onward/return ticket, the local address where the visitor will stay, and proof of sufficient funds are required. A one-month entry visa may be obtained upon arrival and may be extended for a period of up to one year. There is an airport departure tax of approximately $40, which must be paid in U.S. dollars. This charge is typically included in the cost of an airline ticket. Travelers should contact the Permanent Mission of the Seychelles to the United Nations, 800 Second Avenue, Suite 400C, New York, NY 10017; telephone number (212) 972-1785, for the most current visa information.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of The Republic of Seychelles.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations. It is dangerous to swim alone at isolated beaches, especially after dark, due to strong currents. Pirate activities have also been reported in the waters surrounding the outer, southern islands nearest the east coast of Africa, including the seizure of a private yacht, and U.S. citizens should exercise caution when planning ocean activities. Currently, the Government of Seychelles prohibits the sailing of any hire craft, commercial cruise ship and temporary cruising licensed ship to the outer islands including the Amirantes group, Coetivy, Platte, and the southern group of islands. This prohibition may be lifted on a case by case basis if in the opinion of the Government the sailing of any of the ships mentioned above is considered safe. Two fatal shark attacks occurred in the waters of Praslin Island in 2011. The Government is monitoring the waters and, in some locations, installing safety nets around swimming areas.

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CRIME: Petty crime is a problem, but violent crime against tourists is rare. To reduce the risk of theft, travelers should keep valuables in hotel safes and close and lock hotel windows at night, even while the room is occupied. Hotels that do not have private safes in the rooms will usually have one at the reception desk. Travelers are also advised to take precautions and not leave bags unattended on the beach while swimming or in plain sight in their vehicles.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and contact family members or friends.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Seychelles is: 999.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Seychelles, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law for being in possession of such items. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Seychelles your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. 

Persons violating Seychellois laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Seychelles are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Automatic teller machines (ATMs) only distribute Seychelles Rupees; visitors should keep in mind that conversion of Seychelles Rupees to foreign exchange is limited by each exchange bureau. It is advisable to spend or change all Rupees prior to leaving the country, as the Seychellois Rupee is not commonly traded in overseas exchange bureaus. It can be difficult to obtain foreign currency while in Seychelles, so visitors may wish to bring some cash with them and check on options for payment of tourism-related services before arrival. Exchanging money on the informal, black market is a criminal offense.

For more information on foreign exchange in Seychelles, please visit the Government of Seychelles' Central Bank web site.

Visitors should be aware that foreign transaction and other fees may apply to credit card purchases. Generally, cash, traveler’s checks, and some credit cards are accepted. Bills for taxis and other incidentals may be settled in Seychellois Rupees but it is advisable to inquire prior to engaging services.

The Government of Seychelles prohibits wearing any camouflage apparel in the country unless one is participating in a sanctioned military activity.

Accessibility: While in Seychelles, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States.

The constitution and law provide for the right of persons with disabilities to special protection, including reasonable provisions for improving quality of life; however, there are no laws mandating access to public buildings, transportation, or state services, and the government does not provide such access for persons with disabilities.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: The 24-hour emergency number for all medical emergencies is 999. Medical facilities in Seychelles are limited, especially on the isolated islands where doctors are often unavailable. There is one government-owned hospital and several private clinics. The Seychellois Ministry of Health operates an ambulance service on the islands of Mahé, Praslin, and La Digue which can be reached by dialing 999. For more information, contact the Ministry of Health at P.O. Box 52, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles; telephone ( 248) 388-000.It is recommended that travelers bring and use insect/mosquito repellent while in Seychelles and use it at night on all exposed areas.Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne Chikungunya virus and yellow fever virus have been reported in recent years, as well as Leptospirosis, a bacterial disease transmitted to humans and animals by exposure to water contaminated by infected animals. For more information on these diseases and current outbreaks, please see the CDC’s fact sheets on chikungunya , leptospirosis , and yellow fever . You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions, on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Seychelles you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. 

Driving is on the left side of the road. Roads are generally not well-maintained and are narrow and winding. Drivers should exercise caution due to a lack of shoulders and inadequate street lighting. Speed limits range from 25 to 50 miles an hour. Drivers and front-seat passengers are required to wear seatbelts. There are no laws regarding child safety seats.

Public transportation by bus is good but tends to be crowded during rush hours and usually requires several transfers to reach a desired destination. Taxis are also available.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. Also, you can visit the website of the Seychelles’ National Tourism Authority and National Authority on Road Safety.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Seychelles, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Seychelles' Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Seychelles dated October 21, 2011 and updates the sections on Country Description, Threats to Safety and Security, Criminal Penalties and Accessibility.

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