Seychelles student's permit

The permit is for a non-Seychellois who is not in Seychelles as a visitor and who has been accepted to follow a course of study at an approved educational institution. Immigration also allows a child who is the dependant of a parent living in Seychelles, or who has turned 18, to apply in order to continue an existing course. The legal basis printed on the form is section 15A of the Immigration Decree. Student Permit applications are handled by the Work Permit Section of the Immigration and Civil Status Division.

The application form must be fully completed; incomplete applications are not considered and 'N/A' is written where a question does not apply. Attach a recent passport-size photograph (the permit page asks for two), documentary proof of acceptance from the institution, evidence of the financial means available for the studies and for subsistence, a copy of the valid passport, a copy of the parents' permits where they live in Seychelles, a certified full birth certificate with a translation where needed and, for an extension, the previous Student Permit certificate. Proof of accommodation may also be requested.

The form records the student's particulars, the parents' names and immigration permit numbers when the student is a minor or the parents work or reside in Seychelles, the name of the institution, the length of the course and the details of financial support. A parent signs for a minor. Giving incorrect, misleading or withheld information leads to revocation of the permit.

A non-refundable processing fee of SCR 1,000 is paid when the application is submitted. If the application is approved, the permit fee is SCR 1,500 for one year or any part of a year. The Travel Authorisation fee for each trip to Seychelles is separate.

The permanent residence rules contain a category for non-Seychellois students: people who have lived in Seychelles for at least five years, studied there up to secondary level, graduated from a university and then worked for at least two years on a Gainful Occupation Permit may apply for a Permanent Residence Permit, for which the fee is SCR 10,000.

A Student's Permit does not allow its holder to work in Seychelles in any capacity. Students who later want to work need a Gainful Occupation Permit applied for by an employer. Like other permit holders, students complete the Travel Authorisation before each arrival, uploading a copy of the permit, and submit the Embarkation Information Form within seven days before leaving.