PassportSouth Africa

Seychelles: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need an online travel authorisation before flying to the Seychelles. You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

No visa needed, but a mandatory paid Travel Authorisation must be obtained before departure via the Seychelles Electronic Border System (seychelles.govtas.com). A free Visitor's Permit is then issued on arrival.123

The Seychelles is one of 51 countries where South Africans apply online before travelling. See them all.

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Holiday, business, or visiting friends/family.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

Must be valid for the intended stay until arrival back in the holder's country of origin or residence. No fixed 6-month rule.2

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

Apply online at seychelles.govtas.com (official 'Seychelles Electronic Border System - Official Government Website') or via the Seychelles e-Border app, up to 30 days before travel. Upload accommodation confirmation(s), return ticket and a selfie. Fees: EUR 10 standard (about 24 h), EUR 30 premium (about 6 h), EUR 70 expedited (about 1 h). The US State Dept quotes EUR 10.90 standard, likely including card processing. Valid for one journey; it expires on exit. Not completing it may lead to a penalty fee on arrival.1345

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Online only. No consular step for SA passports.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Not legally mandatory for entry per Seychelles Immigration pages checked. FCDO notes insurance may be checked at the border.4

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Return or onward ticket

Required: valid return or onward ticket for the duration of the visit.23

Confirmed on an official government source

Proof of funds

Sufficient funds for the stay, minimum USD 150 (or equivalent) per day.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Accommodation or invitation

Confirmed accommodation required (booking for each place of stay uploaded with the Travel Authorisation). Visitors must notify Immigration of any change of address.23

Confirmed on an official government source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Seychelles: yellow fever certificate required if arriving from, or having recently visited, a yellow-fever risk country (e.g. if routing via Nairobi or Addis Ababa with long transits). Seychelles is not a risk country, so SA requires no certificate on return.456

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

The Travel Authorisation on seychelles.govtas.com doubles as the immigration/health arrival form. Declare cash above SCR 50,000.125

Confirmed on an official government source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Extensions SCR 5,000 per 3-month period (or part thereof), online at permits.ics.gov.sc or at Independence House, Victoria, Mahé. Overstay penalties not published on pages checked.3

Confirmed on an official government source

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Each traveller, including children, needs their own Travel Authorisation (per FAQ guidance on Wikipedia). Not confirmed at tier 1.6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Seychelles Electronic Border System (Government of Seychelles) seychelles.govtas.com
  2. 2Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status Department ics.gov.sc
  3. 3Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status Department ics.gov.sc

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 4UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 5US Department of State travel.state.gov

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 6Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.