Seychelles

Visa Requirements

Citizens of Belarus do not require a visa to visit the Seychelles for tourism purposes for up to 30 days (a free visa is stamped in the passport upon arrival).

Before entry, it is necessary to complete an electronic declaration (Travel Authorisation) on the portal: it must be completed no more than 72 hours and no less than 1 hour before departure. After completion, an electronic entry permit is sent to the tourist, which must be printed or saved for further presentation during flight check-in and upon arrival in the country. The status of the declaration can be checked on the same portal.

Travel is possible only and strictly with this entry confirmation!

If necessary, the tourist visa can be extended for an additional 90 days (subject to the required documents). The extension fee is 5000 SCR ≈ 430 USD.

Required Documents for Entry

1. Passport (must be valid for the entire duration of stay in the Seychelles and at the time of return to the home country);
2. Completed electronic declaration (printed electronic permit);
3. Return ticket, or ticket to a third country;
4. Completed immigration card;
5. Hotel booking confirmation (tourist voucher);
6. In rare cases, if necessary, upon request of the passport control officer, present (for verification only) proof of sufficient funds (approximately 150 US dollars per person per day);
7. Medical insurance policy

From April 1, 2023, a mandatory environmental levy is being introduced in Seychelles hotels, which is paid by tourists on-site upon check-out from the hotel. The cost depends on the hotel's room capacity and will be calculated according to the following principle: 

• Hotels with up to 24 rooms – 25 rupees per day (~1.8 EUR) 
• Hotels with 25-50 rooms – 75 rupees per day (~5.3 EUR) 
• Hotels with > 50 rooms – 100 rupees per day (~7 EUR) 

The cost is per person (except for children under 12 years old). 

Rules: 

• The environmental levy can only be paid on-site, upon check-out from the hotel.
•  The possibility of payment in USD, EUR, RUB remains at the hotel's discretion.
• The law comes into force on April 1, 2023: the levy will apply to all tourists, including those who booked their holiday before the announcement of the new rules. 

Customs Regulations

The following items are allowed to be imported duty-free: 

• 2 liters of spirits and 2 liters of low-alcohol beverages,
•  no more than 200 cigarettes.

When importing animals or products of animal origin, in addition to a sanitary certificate issued in the country of origin, an import license from the Seychelles Veterinary Service is also required. Dogs and cats are subject to a 14-day quarantine.

Export of jewelry and precious items is permitted with a special certificate. Export of works of art is permitted with a special permit from the Ministry of Culture. 

Only commonly known prohibited items are banned from import.

Good to Know:

Tipping is not obligatory, as the service charge is usually included in the bill. However, service staff in hotels and restaurants are always happy to receive extra rupees. 

Do not expect promptness from service staff, so it is faster to purchase tickets, tours, and excursions online. The rule here is 'everything that can be done today is better postponed until tomorrow,' and one must accept this.

One of the most interesting features of the country's way of life is its matriarchal system. Women are the heads of families and make the key decisions. A man's task is to earn enough money for the needs of his wife and children.

Wi-Fi hotspots in the Seychelles are available in the capital and at major hotels on the islands. Local mobile internet tariffs are quite expensive.

On the islands, it is forbidden to feed birds and turtles by hand or to collect shells.