Additional health requirements
Seychelles travel authorisation: South African travellers
Travellers from South Africa need to pay close attention to the health side of the application, on top of the usual documents. The yellow fever vaccination certificate is checked on arrival.
- Nationality
- South African
- Travel authorisation
- Required before departure
- Official standard fee
- €10.00
- Flying time to Mahé
- 8 to 14 hr with one stop
- Time difference
- no time difference
- Currency at departure
- ZAR (R)
From South Africa
What to check before departure
Your route and connections
Connections from Johannesburg and Cape Town via Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Mauritius or Dubai.
Schedules and routes from South Africa can change. Check the full itinerary with the airline, including the transit rules for every connecting country, before submitting your application.
- Departure airports
- Johannesburg O. R. Tambo · Cape Town · Durban
- Airlines serving Mahé
- Kenya Airways · Ethiopian Airlines · Air Mauritius · Emirates
High season: December, January and the April school holidays. Check availability early during these popular travel periods.
Your passport
A valid South African passport covering the full duration of the stay.
Health requirements
No vaccination is required for a direct arrival from South Africa. The obligation appears if your route passes through a country where yellow fever circulates.
Point to watch
A layover longer than 12 hours in Nairobi or Addis Ababa makes the yellow fever vaccination certificate compulsory.
An up-to-date yellow fever certificate
The international vaccination booklet must be presented in its original form on arrival. Get vaccinated at least ten days before departure.
Long transit, same requirement
A layover of more than twelve hours in the airport of a risk country triggers the same obligation, even if you never leave the terminal.
Documents
The application of a South African national
A valid passport
It must remain valid throughout your stay. Have a clear, complete image of the identity page ready.
A recent photo or selfie
Use a clear, recent colour photo showing your full face, with no filter or glare.
A return or onward ticket
The booking should show your name, travel dates and flight numbers.
Proof of accommodation
Have a confirmed booking covering your full stay, including the name and address of the accommodation.
How it works
How the application unfolds
Complete your application
Follow the six steps and enter the details exactly as they appear on your passport and travel bookings.
Have your documents ready
Keep your passport, return or onward ticket and accommodation confirmation close at hand.
We review the application
An adviser checks that the information is consistent and contacts you if anything needs correcting before submission.
Track your application
Confirmations and application updates are sent to the email address entered in the form.
Frequently asked questions
What South African travellers often ask us
Do South African travellers need a travel authorisation for the Seychelles?
Yes. Like every visitor, South African nationals must obtain the travel authorisation before departure. The visitor’s permit is then issued on arrival by immigration, for a stay of up to three months.
How long is the flight from South Africa?
8 to 14 hr with one stop. Connections from Johannesburg and Cape Town via Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Mauritius or Dubai.
Which airlines connect South Africa with the Seychelles?
From Johannesburg O. R. Tambo, Cape Town and Durban, flights to Mahé are operated by airlines including Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Air Mauritius and Emirates. Routes change, so check the full itinerary with the airline before submitting your application.
Is a yellow fever vaccination required when travelling from South Africa?
No vaccination is required for a direct arrival from South Africa. The obligation appears if your route passes through a country where yellow fever circulates.
What should I watch out for during the connection?
A layover longer than 12 hours in Nairobi or Addis Ababa makes the yellow fever vaccination certificate compulsory.
What is the time difference between South Africa and the Seychelles?
No time difference. Keep the first evening light to recover from the journey.
When are seats hardest to find from South Africa?
Busiest period for departures from South Africa: December, January and the April school holidays. Book flights and accommodation early, then apply for the authorisation as soon as everything is confirmed.
Which passport do I need to travel to the Seychelles?
A valid South African passport covering the full duration of the stay.
Go further
Guides to plan the rest of the trip
- Trip planning
When to visit the Seychelles, season by season
Trade winds, rain, seaweed and prices: a month-by-month calendar for choosing the best time to travel.
6 min read - Formalities
Getting your application approved first time
How to scan your passport, which bookings to attach and the order in which to fill the form.
7 min read - On the islands
Mahé, Praslin, La Digue: choosing your island
What each island offers, how to travel between them and how many nights to plan on each.
8 min read
Other nationalities
Keep reading
- East AfricaKenyaEntry requirements and documents for Kenyan travellers.View the page
- South AmericaBrazilEntry requirements and documents for Brazilian travellers.View the page
- EuropeFranceEntry requirements and documents for French travellers.View the page
- EuropeBelgiumEntry requirements and documents for Belgian travellers.View the page
- EuropeSwitzerlandEntry requirements and documents for Swiss travellers.View the page
- North AmericaCanadaEntry requirements and documents for Canadian travellers.View the page
Seychelles · eTA
Ready to file your application from South Africa?
An adviser checks every field and every document before submission. You are told as soon as something needs to be redone.
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