Seychelles Travel Authorization for Indian Citizens

No visa — but yes, a Travel Authorization. Seychelles is a visa-free destination for Indian citizens, so there is no visa sticker to collect and no embassy appointment to arrange in Delhi or Mumbai. However, since the launch of the Seychelles Electronic Border System, every traveller must hold an approved Seychelles Travel Authorization (TA) before departure. Your airline verifies the TA electronically at check-in, and without it you can be refused boarding even though India enjoys visa-free access.

The TA covers the usual reasons Indians visit — beach holidays, honeymoons, visiting friends or family, and short business trips. It is requested entirely online, so there is no need to visit a Seychelles mission in India. You can explore the destination on our Seychelles travel hub or go straight to the Seychelles Travel Authorization page.

It is easy to confuse the two, but the Travel Authorization is not a visa. It is an electronic clearance linked to your passport that authorises an airline to let you board; the actual permission to stay — a Visitor's Permit — is granted by an immigration officer when you land in Seychelles. Use this comparison to see how the TA differs from a traditional visa:

• Who needs it: Every Indian traveller, including children and infants.
• Type: Electronic authorization via the official Seychelles Electronic Border System — not a visa.
• Length of stay: Up to 3 months (90 days) granted on arrival, extendable up to 12 months total within a year.
• Processing: Normally about 12 to 24 hours.
• When to apply: Within a maximum of 30 days before travel.
• Delivery: Approval is sent as a PDF by email.

The Travel Authorization is mandatory for every Indian citizen travelling to Seychelles, regardless of age or reason for travel. There is no group or family TA: each person who will board the flight needs their own approved authorization tied to their own passport. This includes children and infants, even when they are travelling on a parent's booking.

The TA covers the typical reasons Indians visit Seychelles — holidays and island-hopping across Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, honeymoons, visiting relatives, and business meetings. If your plans involve long-term work, study or residence rather than a short visit, confirm the correct permit before you travel, as the Visitor's Permit granted on arrival is intended only for temporary stays.

Although the Travel Authorization is requested online rather than at an embassy, Seychelles still expects you to meet its entry conditions. Have the following ready before you apply, and keep them available for the airline and for immigration on arrival:

• A valid Indian passport, valid for at least 6 months and covering your whole stay.
• A return or onward air ticket out of Seychelles.
• Confirmed accommodation — a hotel or guesthouse booking, or an invitation letter if you will stay with friends or family.
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
• Travel and health insurance covering your stay, with adequate medical cover including repatriation.
• A valid email address — your TA is sent here as a PDF.

1. Get your documents ready: a valid Indian passport, your return ticket, accommodation details, insurance and a payment card.
2. Start the online Seychelles Travel Authorization application and enter your passport and personal details exactly as they appear in your passport.
3. Add your trip information — arrival date, accommodation in Seychelles, and contact email.
4. Upload any required supporting details and review every field carefully.
5. Submit your application and complete the required payment.
6. Receive your approved Travel Authorization by email as a PDF, ready to show at check-in and on arrival.

Indian travellers can apply within a maximum of 30 days before travel, so most people complete the form once flights and hotels are booked. Whether you fly direct from Mumbai or connect via the Gulf from Delhi, Bengaluru or Chennai, finish the application a few days ahead so your approval lands comfortably before departure.

For Indian applicants, the Travel Authorization is normally processed within about 12 to 24 hours, with the approval emailed as a PDF. Since you can apply up to 30 days before travel, the best practice is to submit your application a few days in advance rather than at the last minute, especially during peak holiday seasons when demand from India is higher. If the system requests any additional information, respond quickly so your approval is not delayed. Watch your inbox — and your spam folder — for the email carrying your PDF.

Once you arrive with an approved Travel Authorization, immigration grants a Visitor's Permit for a stay of up to 3 months (90 days). This permit can be extended while you are in Seychelles, with the total stay not exceeding 12 months within a single year. The TA itself is tied to the specific trip and passport you used to apply, so if you renew or replace your Indian passport, or plan a separate future trip, you will need to apply for a new Travel Authorization linked to the current document.

The Travel Authorization gets you onto the plane, but the Visitor's Permit is issued at the border only once an immigration officer is satisfied you meet the entry conditions. Be ready on arrival in Seychelles to present your valid Indian passport, your approved TA, a return or onward ticket, proof of confirmed accommodation, evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, and travel and health insurance covering your trip. Carrying these in an easy-to-reach folder — printed or saved on your phone — makes the arrival process at Seychelles International Airport faster and smoother.

• Mismatched passport details: the TA is linked to your exact passport number — check every field against your passport before submitting.
• Passport validity too short: your Indian passport should be valid for at least 6 months, so renew it early if needed.
• Missing accommodation proof: have a confirmed hotel or guesthouse booking, or an invitation letter if staying with friends or family.
• No onward ticket or insurance: a return or onward ticket and valid travel/health insurance are part of the entry conditions.
• Insufficient funds: be ready to show you can support your stay financially.
• Leaving it to the airport: processing can take up to 24 hours, so apply a few days before your flight rather than at check-in.

An approved Travel Authorization allows you to board your flight, but the final decision to enter Seychelles rests with the immigration officer on arrival. Present the same passport you used to apply, along with your TA, and be ready to explain the purpose and length of your visit, where you will stay, and that you have the means to support your trip. Provided your documents are in order and consistent with your application, the officer will issue your Visitor's Permit and you can begin your stay.

Every traveller needs their own Travel Authorization, including children and infants, because each one is linked to an individual passport. A parent or guardian can complete the application on a child's behalf using the child's own passport details. If you are travelling as an Indian family, simply submit a separate application for each member, and make sure each child's accommodation, return ticket and insurance details are covered just as they are for the adults.