Follow us on:

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn YouTube

Archive -News

Visa-free travel by Seychelles nationals to the UAE |25 November 2014



President James Michel has welcomed the signing of a visa waiver agreement which will allow all Seychellois passport holders to travel without a visa to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The President, who was on a working visit to Abu Dhabi over weekend, said the signing of the visa waiver agreement between the UAE and Seychelles testifies to the close relationship and the strength of the partnership between the two countries.

“Seychelles is the first African country whose citizens need no visa when entering the UAE which is symbolic of the longstanding relationship which will further bolster our two countries’ bilateral ties,” he said.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Paul Adam signed the visa waiver agreement in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, with his counterpart Sheik Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the presence of President Michel and the Seychelles ambassador to the UAE Dick Esparon.

The visa waiver agreement allows for visa free travel for all Seychelles nationals. It is in addition to an agreement exempting Seychellois diplomatic and official passport holders from visa requirements when travelling to the UAE, which was signed two years ago.

Minister Adam described the signing as a fulfillment of a pledge made to the people of Seychelles, easing unrestricted access and greater connectivity to the world.

“It has always been a matter of policy for the government of Seychelles, and the unrelenting mission of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to remove restrictive visa barriers for Seychellois wishing to travel. Visa free entry for all Seychellois to the UAE heralds a new period in travel for our people,” said the minister.

All Seychelles passport holders are exempt from a visa to the UAE for a period of no greater than 90 days. However all travellers must ensure that the requirements set by the UAE immigration authority are fully met.

While the new agreement provides for visa-free travel by Seychelles nationals to the UAE, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has stressed that the visa waiver does not allow for Seychellois nationals to work or pursue studies within the territory of the UAE, unless prior authorisation from the authorities concerned has been given.

The agreement will come into effect once the internal procedures of both states are completed.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will inform the public in due course as and when the agreement comes into force.
During the visit to Abu Dhabi, the President and his delegation also attended the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix, as guests of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

President Michel expressed his appreciation for the excellent relationship shared by Seychelles and the leadership of the UAE.
“The signing of this agreement greatly advances cooperation conducive to both sides. We count on reinforcing this common success by the signing of this document. We always consider the UAE as a great friend and always well disposed towards Seychelles.

Other nations also exempt of visa requirements when entering the UAE are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vatican City.

» Back to Archive