Visiting Seychelles

Visa requirements No visa is needed to visit Seychelles. All you need is a valid passport, a return ticket and a hotel reservation. Upon arrival at the Seychelles airport you will have to submit all three documents to the immigration officer in order to be issued with a visa.

The first issue is valid for a month but extension can be gained for up to a year. Extensions beyond three months are subjected to a small fee of SR200 or $40.

Currency and exchange rate

The Seychelles rupee is the official currency of this island nation. The exchange rate is approximately SR5 to one US dollar. The exchange rates for major currencies are published daily in all banks, hotels and in the Seychelles Nation newspaper every Tuesday.

American express, Diners club and Visa cards are accepted by most car hire agencies, hotels and restaurants. Shops and boutiques which accept credit cards will display the signs on their doors.

Business Hours

Business hours are from 8a.m to 4p.m. Only a few offices are open on Saturday mornings, shops follow almost the same pattern of opening and closing hours.

Airport Tax

Payable on departing the country. Cost US $40.

Religions

About 95% of the population is Christians, the big majority of whom are Roman Catholics, followed by Anglicans and Seventh Day Adventist Church.

Victoria may be known as the world's smallest capital but it boasts two cathedrals - one each for the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, a mosque and a colourful Hindu temple.

The Bahai, Islamic and Hindu faiths also thrive in the Seychelles. There are both catholic and Anglican cathedrals in parishes for every district on the main islands and chapels on certain outer islands.

Vaccination

There is no malaria or other tropical diseases in Seychelles therefore no vaccination is required. On the other hand, Seychelles require a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate from travellers arriving from areas or from countries with infested areas. If you are coming from these infected zones please ensure that you are in possession of a valid vaccination certificate.

Time difference

Seychelles is four hours ahead of Greenwich meridian time (GMT) and three hours ahead of Western European standard time-schedule.

Electricity voltage

240 volts AC

National Holidays

1st and 2nd January (New Year)

Good Friday

Easter Saturday

1st May (Labour Day)

Corpus Christi

5th June (Liberation Day)

15th June (National Day)

29th June (Independence Day)

15th August (Assumption)

1st November (All Saints Day)

8th December (Immaculate Conception)