High commission
High commission of Seychelles in South Africa
169 Garsfontein Road, Ashlea Gardens
Seychelles visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens do not need a visa for the Seychelles. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
SYC
Seychelles
No visa needed
Holiday visitors get a free visitor permit when they arrive.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in the Seychelles.
Ways into Seychelles
Get travel approval before leaving and a visitor permit on arrival.
Visa not requiredVisa-free holiday visitHoliday visitors get a free visitor permit when they arrive.
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Get online travel approval before leaving.
- Pack your passport and travel documents.
- Show your documents at the border.
Documents required
- Passport valid through your return
- Approved travel authorisation
- Return or onward ticket
- Confirmed place to stay
- Funds: 150 USD per day
- Hotel booking
- Conditional yellow fever certificate requirement; see the travel authorisation option. vaccine
- Check passport and insurance rules: official pages differ. See travel approval for health rules.
- Extensions cost 5,000 SCR each; check the allowed stay before booking.
eTA requiredOnline travel approvalThis online approval is needed before most visitors travel by air or sea.
- Fee
- €10
- Processing
- 1 day
How to apply
- Use the official portal or Seychelles e-Border app.
- Apply within 30 days before arrival.
- Upload your passport, photo and trip documents.
- Fill in health and customs questions.
- Pay by card and get approval before leaving.
Documents required
- Passport information page
- Photo or selfie
- Arrival and departure flight confirmation
- Stay bookings or host invitation
- Seychelles permit if you have one
- Payment card
- Yellow fever proof when required
- Return ticket
- Hotel booking
- The portal requires a yellow fever certificate for travellers aged 1–59 arriving from an endemic country or region. vaccine
- Airport transit in a yellow fever endemic region lasting less than 12 hours is exempt. vaccine
- The portal exempts travellers aged 60 and above from submitting the certificate. vaccine
- No COVID-19 travel testing or vaccination restrictions are listed. vaccine
- Official pages differ on price, application window, insurance and passport validity; check before travel.
- Recent Congo travel requires 21 days outside Congo, health checks and sometimes extra documents.
Sources (21)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Immigration and Civil Status: Visiting Seychelles
- Immigration and Civil Status: Visitors Permit
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Travelling to Seychelles
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Consular
- Seychelles Electronic Border System: Official Government Website
- Border portal: What do I need to apply?
- Border portal: Travel authorisation prices and processing times
- Border portal: Transit authorisation exemption
- Border portal: Health and eligibility FAQs
- Border portal: Health and travel insurance
- Tourism Department: Travel authorisation requirements for sea arrivals
- Tourism Department: Entry requirements after recent Democratic Republic of Congo travel, 19 October 2026
- Immigration and Civil Status: Student Permit
- Immigration and Civil Status: Student permit FAQ
- Immigration and Civil Status: Gainful Occupation Permit
- Immigration and Civil Status: Work permit requirements
- Immigration and Civil Status: International Trade Zone
- Immigration and Civil Status: Dependents Permit
- Immigration and Civil Status: Residence Permit
- Government of Seychelles: Residence permit application and instructions
- Immigration and Civil Status: Permanent Residence
Embassies for this trip
Book an appointment before you go.
Trips to Seychelles
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs GAdapter needed
- MoneySCR ₨
- Time+2h
- DrivingOn the leftSame as home
- LanguageSeychellois CreoleSpoken at home too
- Emergency112 or 999 police
Planning your Seychelles trip
Best time to go: May to September is usually cooler and drier. November to March is warmer and wetter. April and October have changing winds. Accommodation costs rise during December to January and July to August, and Easter can be busy.
- BeachesMany beaches are uncrowded and have clear water. Swimming safety changes with seasonal winds, so follow warning signs.
- Vallée de MaiThis national park is recognised internationally for its natural importance. It contains coco de mer palms, which produce the world's largest seed.
- Aldabra AtollThis large coral island formation surrounds a tidal lagoon and is home to over 150,000 giant tortoises. Tiger sharks and manta rays can also be seen.
- Cousin IslandBirdLife International bought the island to protect the endangered Seychelles warbler. It is home to more than 300,000 birds.
Scams to watch for in Seychelles
About Seychelles
Seychelles is an archipelago republic of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, northeast of Madagascar.
- Capital
- Victoria
- Money
- Seychellois rupee (₨)
- Languages
- Seychellois Creole, English, French
- Time zone
- UTC+04:00
- Cars drive on the
- left side
- Calling code
- +248
Other Africa passports
Going to Seychelles
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Seychelles with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for the Seychelles?
South African citizens do not need a visa for the Seychelles. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in the Seychelles?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do seychellois citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Seychellois citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to the Seychelles?
Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Egypt Gabon, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Seychelles are easier for south african citizens?
Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique Réunion, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to the Seychelles?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in the Seychelles?
Seychellois rupee (₨). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in the Seychelles?
Seychellois Creole, English and French.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck