Frequently Asked Questions

• Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean with excellent air connectivity to major hubs in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.
• The main population is situated outside the cyclonic belt.
• Favourable time zone of GMT+4.
• Temperature ranges from 25-32 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
• 96% literacy rate with increasingly educated and skilled workforce.
• Politically and economically stable environment.
• A growing economy with expanding opportunities in Fisheries, Agriculture, Real Estate, Adventure Tourism, ICT and Energy.
• Fiscal incentives for investments in the Tourism, Agriculture, Energy and Fisheries sector.
• 2nd Highest GDP per Capita in Africa.
• Offers a world class financial centre with no foreign exchange restrictions.
• Ranked second for the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance.
• Ranked second in Africa on the corruption Perception Index (Transparency International).
• Ranked first in Africa for Human Development Index.

• Financial services
• Technology
• Agriculture
• Blue economy 
• Tourism

• Adventure tourism, 
• Fisheries, 
• Education, 
• Health, 
• Financial services, 
• Infrastructure,
• Civil aviation, 
• Technology, 
• Agriculture, 
• Energy.   

Seychelles Investment Board is located on the 2nd floor, Independence House Annex.

Our main objectives are as follows:

• Assist in formulation of investment promotion policies, and marketing strategies to attract local and foreign investments;
• Contribute to govern strategies related to the enhancement of the business context and formulate proposition to government;
• Stimulate development ,expansion and growth of the economy by promoting Seychelles as an investment destination;
• Act as an intermediary between the public and the private sectors in order to formulate proposal to the government for the improvement of the business environment.

All non-Seychellois are required to go through SIB to ensure adherence to policies in place and for data capturing of all FDI entering the country.

There is no minimum investment capital set to start a business.

Upon submitting a project proposal to SIB, your project will be circulated to referral agencies within the government of which will vet the application and provide their comments and recommendations. Same will be communicated to the promoter within the feedback letter from SIB.

Submit your project proposal to Seychelles Investment Board (SIB) for Government’s consideration. Upon endorsement of the project proposal, investor will be able to proceed as follows:

• Register your business at the Registrar General;
• Register with the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) Tax Identification Number (TIN);
• Apply for a license at the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA);
• Apply for Gainful Occupational Permit (GOP).

If all relevant documents are available, it takes

• 48 hours to register a company and 24 hours to register a sole proprietorship and/or partnership at the Registrar Generals office.
• 24 hours to register at the Seychelles Revenue Commission.
• License application 14 working days at the Licensing Authority

• Seychelles Investment Board – free
• Registration of Business – 
• Sole trader or partnership SCR 100 – SCR 200  
• Company varies from SCR 2,500
• Registering for Tax Identification Number (TIN) – free
• Fees for a applying  a license vary depending on the type of business activity  - http://www.sla.gov.sc/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Licencesable-Activities-Fees.pdf

1. Income Tax: Progressively with SCR 8,555.50 as tax free threshold.
2. Existing Exemptions are as follows:
   • 25%, 30% and 33% and presumptive at 1.5% for businesses with SR1 million turnover. Special rates for tourism, fisheries and agriculture

Non-Seychellois can only acquire privately owned properties based on an approved development project. The following fees are applicable:

• A statutory processing fee equivalent to 1.5% of the market value of the property,
• Sanction duty of 11% (Actual) market value of the Immovable property for holiday home or residential development outside the Villas Policy,
• Stamp Duty, 5% (Actual) of the market value of the property.

Non-Seychellois workers can be employed if the necessary skills and labor are unable to be sourced locally. In order to apply for a foreign worker post, an application will have to be made at the Department of Employment. The employer will have to prove that attempts were made to advertise locally for vacancies through newspaper advertisements etc. with no success. A strict quota for foreign labor is provided by the Ministry of Employment for different businesses.

For more details please contact the Department of Employment;
MINISTRY OF EMPLOYMENT, IMMIGRATION & CIVIL STATUS
Independence House Annex (4th Floor)
P.O. Box 1097, Victoria, Mahe
Republic of Seychelles
Telephone: 00248 42 97 200
Fax: 00248 43 25 421

Upon government approval of a project proposal, the promoter(s) will be required to apply for Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP) which will allow the investor to live and work in the Seychelles. The cost for application is SCR 1,000 processing fee, and SCR 500 monthly permit fee.

Investor inserting an investment of 1,000,000 US Dollars or more in a business and has resided for 1 year aggregate in Seychelles, during which period has demonstrated means to support herself or himself can apply for Permanent Resident (PR).

• International Business Companies (IBCs)
• Companies Special Licence (CSL)
• Foundations
• International Trusts
• Limited Partnerships
• Collective Investment Schemes
• Protected Cell Companies
• Non-Domestic Insurance
• Securities
• International trade Zone
• Ship/Yacht Registration

As one of the most stable socio-economic regions in the world the Seychelles is a highly regarded jurisdiction in which to conduct international business activities.

The advantages that are offered by Investing in the offshore sector are: 

• Seychelles International Business Companies have no tax liabilities.
• There is no minimum share capital requirement.
• No nationality restrictions on Directors or Shareholders and 100% foreign ownership is permitted.
• Only one Director and one Shareholder is required and these can be the same person.
• Minimal reporting requirements; no audit or tax returns are required.
• Cost effective on-going maintenance.
• No requirement for a company Secretary.
• No requirement for annual meeting to be held in the Seychelles, can be held anywhere in the world.
• There are no foreign exchange controls and funds can be freely in an out of the country. 
• Information on shareholders, beneficial owners and directors are not publicly accessible.