Seychelles dependant's permit for spouses

A citizen of Seychelles may apply for a Dependant's Permit for a spouse and for minor children who are not Seychellois and who will live with the citizen in Seychelles. The permit is not issued to a prohibited immigrant or to someone who already holds a Residence Permit or a Gainful Occupation Permit. The form is issued under section 12A of the Immigration Decree, 1979, and the citizen signs it as the applicant.

The form is completed in duplicate in block capitals, and the documents are retained. Attach two passport-size photographs of the dependant, proof of the applicant's Seychelles citizenship (passport bio page, birth certificate, or registration or naturalisation certificate), the marriage certificate for a spouse, birth certificates of the minor children, the dependant's own birth certificate, a copy of the first two pages of the dependant's passport, a medical certificate and proof of the means to support the dependant, such as payslips or savings. A security bond is required; check the amount with the office. The form also records the citizen's address, profession and residence history and the dependant's details.

A non-refundable processing fee of SCR 1,000 is paid when the application is submitted. The permit fee is SCR 1,000 for each year, payable once the permit is approved. The foreign spouse of a citizen also pays the Travel Authorisation fee each time they travel to Seychelles, because only citizens are exempt.

A spouse who has been married to a Seychellois for at least five years, whose marriage still subsists and who has lived in Seychelles as a legal resident for an aggregate of at least five years may apply for a Permanent Residence Permit for SCR 1,000; widowed or separated spouses with five years of marriage and residence also qualify. Citizenship by naturalisation for a spouse, for marriages from 29 June 1976, requires at least ten years of marriage, at least five years of legal residence and a score of at least 80 per cent in the citizenship examination in one of the three national languages.

The Dependant's Permit does not allow work; a holder who wants a job applies for a Gainful Occupation Permit. For a foreigner married to a Seychellois, the GOP fee list sets a reduced monthly rate of SCR 250, and Immigration asks that the applicant be outside the country while that GOP is processed. The Dependant's Permit ceases to be valid if the holder does not enter Seychelles within twelve months of issue or is absent for more than twelve months, breaches its conditions, is convicted of an immigration offence or is deported.