Seychelles entry requirements for China passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 20, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Chinese passport holders don't need a visa for tourism or business stays up to 90 days in Seychelles. You'll get a free Visitor's Permit on arrival at the airport. This policy is effective for 2026.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of your stay
Your Chinese passport needs to be valid for at least 90 days from your date of entry into Seychelles. Airlines check this before boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Seychelles
Immigration officers at Seychelles International Airport always ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
Officers may ask for your hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Have a printed copy or show it on your phone.Recommended
Proof of funds
Sufficient money for your stay
You may need to show you have enough cash, credit cards, or bank statements to cover your expenses. No fixed minimum amount is published.Recommended
No visa needed, but don't skip the basics
Seychelles is one of the easiest destinations for Chinese passport holders — no visa, no fee, no forms. But immigration still checks your passport validity, return ticket, and accommodation. Have them ready.
6-month passport rule is strict
If your passport expires within 6 months of your arrival date, you will be refused entry. No exceptions. Check your passport now, not the night before your flight.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at Seychelles International Airport (SEZ)
After landing, follow signs to Immigration. There are two queues: one for Seychelles citizens and residents, another for visitors. Join the visitor queue.
2
Present your documents to the immigration officer
Hand over your passport, return ticket (printed or on phone), and accommodation confirmation. The officer will ask a few questions — purpose of visit, length of stay, where you're staying. Answer clearly and briefly.
3
Receive your Visitor's Permit
The officer stamps your passport with a Visitor's Permit valid for up to 90 days. It's free. No payment, no forms to fill in advance. The whole process usually takes 5–10 minutes.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. There's usually nothing to declare for personal items. Walk out into the arrivals hall — taxis and hotel shuttles are right outside.
Download Seychelles Entry Checklist
PDF · China Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 20, 2026
Download PDF

Overstay calculator

Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days, non-extendable
Validity3 months from issue
CostFree (visa-free entry available)

Visa-free entry already covers 90 days; no need to apply.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months
CostFree (not applicable)

Visa-free entry does not offer multiple entry; re-enter after exit.

Long-stay visa (Gainful Occupation Permit)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year
CostSCR 5,000 (~$370 USD)

For employment or business; requires employer sponsorship.

retirement visa
Seychelles Retirement Permit
1 year, renewable annually
SCR 10,000 (~$740 USD) per year
For retirees aged 55+ with proof of sufficient income (at least $2,000/month). Allows residency but not work.
digital nomad visa
Seychelles Workcation Programme
1 year, renewable
SCR 5,000 (~$370 USD) per year
For remote workers with proof of employment and income. No local tax liability. Requires health insurance.
investor visa
Seychelles Investor Permit
1 year, renewable
SCR 50,000 (~$3,700 USD) initial fee
For investors who invest at least $100,000 in Seychelles business or real estate. Includes residency for family.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Visa-free entry covers tourism; no separate tourist visa needed.Free (not applicable)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Visa-free entry is single-entry per visit; multiple entries require exit and re-entry.Free (not applicable)
Stay extension feeExtensions are not permitted for visa-free stays; this fee is for other visa types.SCR 1,000 (~$75 USD)
Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of SCR 10,000 (~$740 USD).SCR 500 (~$37 USD) per day

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Seychelles

No transit visa needed

China passport holders transiting through Seychelles International Airport do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing immigration.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
  • If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa-free entry applies for up to 90 days.
Transit hubsSeychelles International Airport (SEZ)

Health & vaccines for Seychelles

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever transmission risk.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk

Mosquito-borne; present year-round, especially in urban areas.

ChikungunyaLow risk

Occasional outbreaks; transmitted by mosquitoes.

Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk

Standard precautions with food and water recommended.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Victoria
Seychelles Department of Immigration
Independence House, Victoria, Mahé
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Main office for visa extensions and permits. Bring passport, photos, and proof of funds.

Praslin
Praslin Immigration Office
Grand Anse, Praslin
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

For visitors on Praslin; limited services, may need to go to Victoria for complex issues.

Practical information for CN travellers

Country basics
CapitalVictoria
LanguageSeychellois Creole, English, French
Driving sideLeft-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 3 months.
Money
CurrencySeychellois rupee (SCR)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 14.59 SCR
updated May 21
Time zone
Local timeUTC+4
vs New York+8h
vs Los Angeles+11h
Electricity
Voltage240V / 50Hz
Plug types
GType G (British 3-pin rectangular)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Safe to drink
Tap water is generally safe to drink in main islands, but bottled water is recommended for visitors.
Emergency numbers
Police112
Medical112
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. Chinese passport holders get a free Visitor's Permit on arrival. No pre-approval or eVisa is needed.
Up to 90 days. The permit is usually granted for the full 90 days, but the immigration officer may give less if your itinerary is shorter.
Extensions are not available for the Visitor's Permit. If you need to stay longer, you must leave and re-enter, or apply for a different permit (e.g., a Gainful Occupation Permit) before your 90 days expire.
You will likely be denied entry. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced. Renew your passport before traveling.
Yes. Any onward ticket out of Seychelles works — it doesn't have to be back to China. A flight to a neighboring country is fine.
As of 2026, there are no COVID-19 entry requirements for Seychelles. No test, no vaccination card needed. Always check the latest updates before travel.
Overstaying is taken seriously. You may be fined, detained, or banned from re-entering. If you realize you'll overstay, contact the Department of Immigration in Victoria before your permit expires.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 20, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.