Your first 90 days in Seychelles: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Cost of living is the shock — almost everything is imported and priced accordingly, and housing on Mahé for foreigners is expensive and restricted. The absence of an entry visa says nothing about the difficulty or cost of actually staying.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply to the Immigration Division for a Gainful Occupation Permit, Residence Permit, or the Workcation remote-work permit
Seychelles issues a visitor's permit on arrival for up to 3 months, extendable — any work or residence needs a permit granted before the activity starts
There is no visa requirement to enter Seychelles for anyone, which misleads people into thinking residence is easy. It is not: the GOP is employer-sponsored and tightly controlled to protect a small labour market, and residence permits require substantial investment.
Get your TIN (taxpayer identification number) from the Seychelles Revenue Commission
Employment income tax, business activity and any SRC filing key off it; Seychelles operates a territorial system so foreign-source income is generally outside the net.
Registered with the Seychelles Revenue Commission; Seychelles Pension Fund registration is separate and applies to local employment.
Open a bank account
Absa Seychelles, MCB Seychelles and Nouvobanq open accounts for permit holders, with source-of-funds documentation. Seychelles has a large offshore company sector that is entirely separate from resident retail banking — do not assume an IBC's bank will serve you personally. Exchange controls were liberalised in 2008 and the rupee floats.
Enrol in healthcare
Public healthcare is free to residents at Seychelles Hospital on Mahé, with clinics on Praslin and La Digue, and the standard is adequate for primary and emergency care. Anything complex means evacuation to Mauritius, India, South Africa or Europe — that flight is the single largest medical cost exposure and belongs explicitly in your insurance.
Sort your driver's license
A valid foreign licence is accepted for visitors and short stays; residents convert to a Seychellois licence through the Seychelles Licensing Authority. Driving is on the left, on narrow mountain roads with a 65 km/h national maximum.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
Moving to Seychelles?
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Seychelles: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Seychelles?
Apply to the Immigration Division for a Gainful Occupation Permit, Residence Permit, or the Workcation remote-work permit — Seychelles issues a visitor's permit on arrival for up to 3 months, extendable — any work or residence needs a permit granted before the activity starts. There is no visa requirement to enter Seychelles for anyone, which misleads people into thinking residence is easy. It is not: the GOP is employer-sponsored and tightly controlled to protect a small labour market, and residence permits require substantial investment. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIN and do I need one?
TIN (taxpayer identification number) from the Seychelles Revenue Commission is Seychelles's personal tax/ID number. Employment income tax, business activity and any SRC filing key off it; Seychelles operates a territorial system so foreign-source income is generally outside the net. Registered with the Seychelles Revenue Commission; Seychelles Pension Fund registration is separate and applies to local employment.
Can I drive in Seychelles on a US license?
A valid foreign licence is accepted for visitors and short stays; residents convert to a Seychellois licence through the Seychelles Licensing Authority. Driving is on the left, on narrow mountain roads with a 65 km/h national maximum. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Seychelles?
Public healthcare is free to residents at Seychelles Hospital on Mahé, with clinics on Praslin and La Digue, and the standard is adequate for primary and emergency care. Anything complex means evacuation to Mauritius, India, South Africa or Europe — that flight is the single largest medical cost exposure and belongs explicitly in your insurance. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Seychelles's system treats foreign residents.