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Seychelles, often described as a paradise on Earth, boasts crystal-clear blue waters and pristine white sandy beaches, making it a sought-after honeymoon destination. The 115-island country in the Indian Ocean off East Africa holds the distinction of having the least population among independent African nations. Here are some intriguing facts about Seychelles:
Seychelles is home to some of the rarest bird species, including the bare-legged Scops Owl or Syer, once thought to be extinct until rediscovered in 1959 at Morne Seychellois National Park on Mahé Island.
The native Coco de mer, also known as the sea coconut or double coconut, produces the world’s heaviest (about 15kg) and largest seed.
Author Ian Fleming found inspiration for a James Bond character during his visit to Seychelles in 1958, naming him Milton Crest after a local tonic and ginger beverage.
Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, holds the title of the world’s smallest capital, allowing visitors to explore the entire city on foot in less than a day.
Celebrities, including Prince William and Kate Middleton, chose Seychelles for their honeymoon, enjoying the privacy of its stunning private islands.
Bird Island is home to Esmeralda, the heaviest living land tortoise in the wild, weighing around 670 pounds.
Seychelles has a rich history of piracy, with legends of hidden treasures, including one believed to be worth more than $160,000 by Olivier Levasseur.
Moyne Island, within the Ste. Anne Marine National Park, is rumored to have a buried treasure, yet remains untouched due to fears of a guarding spirit.
Seychelles hosted the Miss World Beauty Pageant in 1997 and 1998, drawing attention to its breathtaking landscapes and attracting tourists to explore its wonders.
Passport Requirements: Valid passports or other travel documents are required for entry into Seychelles.
Visa Requirement: Visa is not required for entry into Seychelles. (Refer to other permits.)
Visitor’s Permit: A visitor’s permit is issued on arrival in Seychelles for holiday, pleasure, business, or visiting friends or family. Requirements include holding a valid return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and sufficient funds (minimum of US$150.00 per day).
Gainful Occupation Permit: Allows gainful employment in Seychelles, requiring application submission at least ten weeks before starting work. Various factors are considered, including qualifications and potential benefits to Seychelles. A processing fee of Sr. 600 is applicable, along with a monthly fee of Sr. 1,500.
Residence Permit: Issued to individuals with a family or domestic connection to Seychelles or those making significant contributions to the country. Holder must reside in Seychelles for at least five days annually, with additional financial and residency obligations.
Dependant’s Permit: Issued to spouses or minor children of Seychellois citizens, allowing residency without gainful employment. Application fee is Sr. 100.
Student’s Permit: Issued to those pursuing studies in Seychelles, requiring enrollment in an approved educational institution and proof of sufficient funds for expenses.
Seychelles has unique beauty and world renowned holiday destination. The Government has shown a major commitment towards continuous tourism, infrastructure development to support foreign investments. Investment laws have been enacted in Seychelles in order to encourage and protect investments.
An investor is eligible to apply for Permanent Residence by Investment by meeting all the requirements below:
The Permanent Residence Permit allows the holder;
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2013, an investor who has invested USD 1 million in a business in Seychelles and has been supporting him/herself during 11 years, may apply for a Citizenship of Seychelles. Before being granted a Citizenship, the applicant must submit proof of investment towards starting or expanding a business along with other requirements. Personal assets will not be considered.
Conditions
Citizenship Conditions
Prospective applicants for Seychelles citizenship would need to answer 25 questions out of a Pool of 100 questions in one of the three National languages, English, French and Kriol in which an 80% pass mark is required prior to submission of application for citizenship.
The page explains the process of how to acquire a Seychelles citizenship, registration in special circumstances, naturalisation, parental descent and the official citizenship examination.
In addition to all of the benefits of a Permanent Resident, a Naturalized Citizen;
Prospective applicants for Seychelles citizenship would need to answer 25 questions out of a Pool of 100 questions in one of the three National languages, English, French and Kriol in which an 80% pass mark is required prior to submission of application for citizenship.
You may apply for citizenship by naturalisation if you fall under the following criteria:
You did not automatically become a citizen of Seychelles
NOT RECOGNIZED Exception: The government of Seychelles only recognizes dual citizenship in specific cases concerning native born citizens of Seychelles who later obtain another citizenship for domestic or economic convenience (such as to work abroad) or involuntarily through marriage to a foreign citizen.
VOLUNTARY: Voluntary renunciation of Seychellois citizenship is permitted by law. Contact the mission for details and required paperwork.
INVOLUNTARY: The following are grounds for involuntary loss of Seychellois citizenship by registration or by naturalization: Person fails to renounce previous citizenship or obtains new citizenship. Person was absent from the country seven years without registering. Person obtained citizenship through false means.
The Seychelles has a robust economy which continues to grow. Its major industries in financial services, tourism and transport offer early career and senior professionals many opportunities for employment. Taxation is low compared to many African countries, which is also a draw for workers. Healthcare for non-residents requires private treatment, so medical insurance is essential. Education is well provided for in The Seychelles, making it attractive for professionals with families.
According to the Critical workers are needed in the following roles:
The government has incorporated important policies that help the country achieve its financial goals. With partnerships between the public and private sectors, there are multiple opportunities for local or global investors.
The Seychelles Financial Services Authority is the authoritative figure to regulate non-banking financial services; this establishment is vital for the overall supervision and licensing of non-banking services in Seychelles. The establishment of the Financial Services Authority has led to Seychelles becoming one of the fastest international business company (IBC) registrars in the world.
Seychelles has taken advantage of its 115 islands to promote and build its tourism sector and stand out against the rest of the world. The Ministry of Tourism in Seychelles aims to break its previous record of 384,201 tourists in 2019 by preparing to welcome 405,000 tourists by 2021. The pandemic has delayed these plans; yet, the tourism sector continues to grow because of the economic promises made by attractive business models.
Seychelles has quickly adapted to the technological advancements happening across the world; this has been evident through its investments in the deployment of IT. It has stayed resilient to stand out amongst its neighboring countries, and now, it has the third-highest mobile phone penetration rate in Africa.
This sector continues to grow with various opportunities opening in cybersecurity, data centers, wireless technology, and multimedia development. Seychelles has adopted modern global practices to take advantage of this sector, with customer development as its driving force.
One of the important lessons taught by the ongoing pandemic is the importance and preservation of nature and its elements. Since Seychelles is a cultural and tourist hub, it has always stayed accountable to protect and preserve its environment.
The measures taken by Seychelles have been well integrated with technology to use surrounding elements and provide sustainability for the near future. The department of Blue Economy was established with these goals in mind.
| Job Type | SCR | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Administration | 13,454 | 905 |
| Agriculture | 12,424 | 835.54 |
| Banking | 20,050 | 1,348 |
| Construction | 18,100 | 1,217 |
| Customer support | 14,157 | 952 |
| Education | 15,126 | 1,017 |
| Information technology | 25,237 | 1,697 |
| Law | 20,651 | 1,389 |
| Marketing | 18,371 | 1,235 |
| Medicine | 14,990 | 1.008 |
The Employment Act is the primary legislation that sets the terms and conditions for both employers and employees. A written contract is legally required, except for a contract regarding casual work. Employee compensation, benefits, and termination are crucial factors that must be mentioned.
The Employment Act is notably clear on the protection of employees; however, if the employee has been negligent or dishonest, the employer is well within their rights to deduct wages. The employees are also entitled to employee benefits, according to the Employment Act, until their lawful termination.
Further, as per the Employment Act, an employer is prohibited from harassing their worker. The employer cannot discriminate against a worker based on their age, gender, race, color, nationality, or religion.
An employee may terminate their contract by serving notice.
Every foreigner trying to work in Seychelles needs a Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP), also known as a work permit. This document allows the person to be gainfully occupied in Seychelles, either as an employee or a self-employed person. Either the prospective employer or the employee, in the case of a self-employed person, must fill out the application at least 10 weeks before work starts. A foreigner cannot enter the country with the purpose of employment before obtaining a GOP.
Employees will also need a resident permit to live in the country. These permits are typically granted to people who are:
Employers must put together the application for the GOP on behalf of employees. Two of the main obligations involve payment of the application and processing fees and proof of the Seychelles Investment Bureau’s approval for the project if the employee is working for a new business.
First, the employer needs to get an approval certificate for the prospective employee from the Ministry of Employment, Immigration, and Civil Status (MEICS). After getting the certificate, submit all GOP applications to the Independence House’s Immigration Office in Victoria at least a week before the employee plans to start work.
After obtaining a Seychelles work visa, employees must meet additional requirements within one month of entering Seychelles, including:
If your employees are planning to work in the Seychelles International Trade Zones, they will need a separate permit. It’s your responsibility as the employer to apply for the permit through the Financial Services Authority (FSA) in Seychelles.
The country also offers a permanent residence permit to individuals that meet certain requirements. Your employees may be considered a priority worker if they have lived in Seychelles as a legal resident for no less than five years and have:
Coraledu, a leading overseas immigration consultancy, offers tailored services to assist clients with their immigration needs.
Services include:
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