Seychelles covid and visa requirements for Indians

Seychelles is a beautiful Island country based in the coastal line of Africa. The Capital, Mahe is also the entry point for international travellers to the country. Tourists from Europe love to visit the holiday destination. In the recent past tourists from Asia continental countires have also started visiting this premium island. Indians are also not behind, in 2019, a good number of Indian tourists went to Seychelles and enjoyed their holidays. Post covid just like other tourist countires, Seychelles also closed its doors to international travellers. However, in 2021, Seychelles allowed tourists from around the world to enter the country. In this article, we are going to discuss Seychelles covid and Visa Requirements for Indians.

Seychelles covid and visa requirements for Indians

Latest Seychelles covid requirements for Indians

As per the latest update on 15th March 2022

While the world continues to experience the COVID-19 pandemic, Seychelles remains open to visitors all over the
world, irrespective of their vaccination status. As a safe tourism experience remains essential, measures and protocols have been put in place to protect the population and visitors. With the evolution of the sanitary situation worldwide and the successful ongoing national immunisation campaign undertaken by Seychelles since January 2021, the destination continues its journey towards the recovery of its tourism industry.

In an effort to keep the destination more accessible to visitors, the conditions and sanitary measures are reviewed
periodically. The recent review will take effect as of March 15, 2022, all fully immunised visitors will be exempted from the pretravel PCR test requirement, while unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors will be required to present a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours or a rapid antigen test is done in a certified laboratory within 24hrs before departure to Seychelles.

Full immunisation will entail that any visitor over 18 years has received the first two doses of the Covid-19
vaccine including a booster dose after 6 six months since completing the primary series. For visitors aged 12 to
18 years to be considered full immunised, they only necessitate the completion of two vaccine doses.
Potential visitors having tested positive for the COVID-19 virus -between 2 to 12 weeks prior to travel – are also
exempted from pre-travel COVID-19 testing upon provision of proof of infection and recovery.

No quarantine is required for visitors entering Seychelles. They are allowed free movement throughout their
entire holiday but they must adhere to all public health measures. Visitors are free to stay at any health certified
tourism accommodation establishment on the condition that they follow all health protocols that are in place at
these establishments.
All visitors require a valid Travel Authorization (TA) for entry into Seychelles. This must be done through the
online portal at https://seychelles.govtas.com/. Additional information and instructions are available on the
portal, including support to provide specific clarifications.

All visitors are requested to adhere to all stated procedures in this advisory and ensure that all requirements are
met prior to arrival, failing which, may result in restriction of entry.
Furthermore, please note that once visitors are in Seychelles, there are Public Health Measures in place to
prevent the spread of Covid-19. A person who is fully vaccinated may still get infected and infect others. It is
therefore important that all visitors and residents follow all the public health and social measures in place. These
include wearing facemasks, maintaining adequate distance from others, avoiding crowded spaces and exercising
good hygiene practices.

PRE – TRAVEL PROCEDURES FOR INDIANS TO TRAVEL TO SEYCHELLES

• All fully immunised visitors are exempted from the pre-travel PCR test requirement upon presentation of their vaccination certificate.
• Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated visitors will be required to present a negative PCR test certificate from an accredited laboratory departure to Seychelles. Samples for this test must have been taken within 72hours before departure for the PCR test and 24 hours for the rapid antigen test.
• Visitors having tested positive for the COVID-19 virus -between 2 to 12 weeks prior to travel – are also exempted from pre-travel COVID-19 testing upon provision of proof of infection and recovery.
• Asymptomatic children under the age of 12 years are exempted from PCR or Antigen testing requirements.
• Visitors must have valid travel health insurance that covers at minimum COVID-19 testing, isolation, quarantine and clinical care.
• Online Travel Authorization is required prior to boarding flights to Seychelles. Visitors must submit their negative PCR test results, proof of recent infection and recovery or vaccination certificate, and flight and accommodation details for Travel Authorization before departure. Visitors must submit their application for approval through the designated platform at this link: – https://seychelles.govtas.com/.
• Upon check-in, all visitors coming to Seychelles must show approved Travel Authorization (TA) to their respective airline companies for verification.
• Visitors must comply with all airline protocols throughout their journey.
• Visitors must ensure that accommodation bookings are made only at licensed establishments or liveaboards that have been certified by the Public Health Authority. Refer to the list of certified accommodations The list of certified liveaboards is also available on our website www.tourism.gov.sc
• Booking vouchers reflecting the entire duration of stay in Seychelles must be uploaded on the following link www.govtas.com for Travel Authorization. The vouchers must also be presented at the Immigration counter for verification. Visitors without such a booking will be directed to another establishment that is certified.

Procedure for International tourists after Landing at Seychelles airport

• Disembarkation should be done in an orderly manner based on inflight seating arrangements.
• Facemasks should be kept on at all times.
• A distance of at least one metre should be maintained between all persons at all times (except members of the same household/family.
• Hand sanitisers are available throughout the terminal – must be used regularly after coming in contact with commonly touched surfaces or objects.
• When collecting luggage, visitors must ensure that a distance of at least one metre from other persons is maintained. The area around the conveyor belt has been demarcated to guide visitors.
• Visitors may make use of trolleys that have been disinfected and located in clearly demarcated areas.
• All visitors will undergo temperature checks and health screening.
• Any visitor (regardless of his vaccination status), who disembarks with fever and respiratory symptoms such as cough, runny nose or shortness of breath will be isolated from other travellers and be subjected to further assessment and COVID-19 testing as indicated.

Is a PCR test required to travel from Seychelles to India?

PCR testing is not required routinely to depart Seychelles. However, your airline or final destination may require
it. PCR test facilities are available on the three (3) main islands namely Mahe, Praslin and La Digue to visitors prior
to departure. Visitors requiring the test should contact the Public Health Authority at least a week in advance at
the email address covid19test@health.gov.sc or telephone +248 4388410 to make the necessary arrangements.
The PCR test currently costs SCR2, 500.00 per test. Effective as of 24th
May 2021, children below the age of 12
years and persons of 63 years and above will also be charged the same fee for the PCR tests.
Two Private Health Service Providers (Euro Medical and Seychelles Medical) offer on-site sample collection and
PCR test at a cost. The contact detail for Euro Medical Tel: + 2484324999 or + 2482715763, website for
additional information is https://covid.euromedical.info and the contact detail for Seychelles Medical
+2484366999 and their website for additional information are https://pcrtest.sc/.
However, testing is still being done through the government laboratory at the Seychelles Public Health laboratory of
the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health accredits all PCR tests administered in Seychelles.

Visa Requirements for Indians to Travel to Seychelles

Indian citizens visiting Seychelles do not require a visa to enter the country. However, as a tourist, you must still acquire a permit from the country’s immigration department after reaching the island nation. This permit remains valid for 30 days after its issuance and can be extended for up to 3 months from its date of issuance.

However, travellers need to possess at least $150 per day for the duration of their stay in Seychelles on a per-person basis to become eligible for a Seychelles travel permit.