Assembly approves changes to immigration and citizenship laws |14 November 2013

The National Assembly has approved changes made to the country’s immigration and citizenship laws.

Two bills incorporating the changes – the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2013 – were presented to the Assembly on Tuesday by the Minister for Home Affairs and Transport Joel Morgan.

“Through the two bills, clear and transparent criteria have been established for a person to be eligible for a permanent residence permit or Seychelles citizenship,” said Mr Morgan.
“It also makes provision for us to attract professionals or investors who want to make significant contributions to our economic development.”

“The two bills are in response to the President’s call in his state-of-the-nation address in February this year that to become a Seychellois, the person must deserve Seychelles,” he added.
“The person must understand and appreciate Seychelles, its Constitution, people, history, culture, aspirations and heritage to integrate fully as one of us - a Seychellois.”

The Immigration Decree has been amended to now reflect a new element - Permanent Residency - which will allow the person to live and work in Seychelles without the need for Gainful Occupational Permit, after having resided in Seychelles for more than five years.

In the case of the Citizenship Act, the major changes in regards to Section 5 (2) of the Act, which deals with 'special circumstances,' is now categorised as; (1) priority workers, (2) investors and (3) students.  

In addition, non-Seychellois married to a Seychellois citizen are now in a better position to know and understand when they can apply for permanent residency or citizenship, as it  is now clearly stated what criteria need to be fulfilled in order to qualify for these categories.

The new law makes provision for the revocation of citizenship in cases where the national security is threatened, or where a person has been convicted for acts of terrorism, piracy, trafficking in person, or drug trafficking, as some examples.