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Seychelles
Country Specific Information
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January 16, 2009
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 84,000. The capital,
Victoria, is located on Mahé. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Seychelles for additional information.
ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: 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.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.
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.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs’ web site at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the Worldwide Caution, can be found.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.
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.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance. The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Seychelles is: 999
See our information on Victims of Crime.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Seychelles laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Seychelles are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: As of November 1, 2008, strict laws regulating foreign exchange were repealed to allow for more free exchange of currency. While in the past, all visitors were required to settle bills for tourism-related services in a foreign currency, such as U.S. Dollars, Pounds Sterling, or Euros, visitors should now be able to pay in Seychelles Rupees. However, many hotels, restaurants, and other establishments have credit card systems that only accept foreign currencies, so 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 Seychelles Rupees but it is advisable to inquire prior to engaging services.
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 passing customs and immigration at the airport. 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’s Central Bank web site at http://www.cbs.sc/.
The Government of Seychelles prohibits wearing any camouflage apparel in the country unless one is participating in a sanctioned military activity.
Please see our Customs Information.
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 Seychelles 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; email: mohps@seychelles.net.
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 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 at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/Chikungunya/CH_FactSheet.html and Leptospirosis at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/leptospirosis_g.htm.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Seychelles.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s web site at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/default.aspx. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) web site at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith/en.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Seychelles is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Driving is on the left side of the road. Roads are generally well-maintained but 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.
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 Seychelles’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s internet website at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: Americans living or traveling in Seychelles are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius through the State Department’s travel registration web site so that they can obtain updated information on travel and security within Seychelles. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. The U.S. Embassy is located on the fourth floor of the Rogers House on John F. Kennedy Street in Port Louis, telephone (+230) 202-4400; fax (+230) 208-9534. The Consular Section’s email is PTLconsular@state.gov, and the website is http://mauritius.usembassy.gov.
The U.S. Consular Agency in Victoria, Seychelles is open to U.S. citizens Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 to 12:30. U.S. citizens are able to obtain passport, citizenship, and notary services there. The U.S. Consular Agency is located at Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria, Mahé; telephone (+248) 225-256; fax (+248) 225-189; email: consularagencyseychelles@gmail.com. The international mailing address is U.S. Consular Agency, P.O. Box 251, Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Seychelles dated May 07, 2008, to update sections on Country Description,
Crime, Information for Victims of Crime, Medical Facilities and Health Information, and Special Circumstances.
