Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Seychelles, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than those in the United States. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. Criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law for being in possession of such items. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Seychelles, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.  Drug-related crime is a growing problem in the country and a number of visitors, including U.S. citizens, have died after consuming illegal drugs obtained there.

Persons violating Seychellois laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Seychelles are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Arrest notifications in host country: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Automatic teller machines (ATMs) distribute Seychelles Rupees only. Traveler’s checks and some credit cards are accepted at many restaurants, hotels, and other tourist-related service providers; however, cash may be the only accepted form of payment for some services and establishments. Visitors should be aware that foreign transaction and other fees may apply to credit card purchases. A number of exchange bureaus operate on the main islands and are generally able to provide U.S. Dollars, British Pounds, and Euros in exchange for rupees and vice versa for most transactions. It is advisable to spend or change all Rupees prior to leaving the country, as the Seychellois Rupee is not commonly traded in overseas exchange bureaus. It can be difficult to obtain other forms of foreign currency aside from the U.S. Dollar, British Pound, and Euro while in Seychelles.

For more information on foreign exchange in Seychelles, please visit the Government of Seychelles' Central Bank website.

The Government of Seychelles prohibits wearing any camouflage apparel in the country unless one is participating in a sanctioned military activity.

If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips on the Women Travelers page on Travel.State.gov.

LGBT RIGHTS: Consensual sexual relations between men are criminalized in Seychelles. The penalty is up to fourteen years of imprisonment. Although the U.S. Embassy is not aware of any arrests or prosecutions for such activities, they remain illegal. Hotels and restaurants do not discriminate against LGBT travelers. However, travelers should consider exercising caution, especially with regard to expressing affection in public. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Seychelles, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2012. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY:  While in Seychelles, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States.

The constitution and law provide for the right of persons with disabilities to special protection, including reasonable provisions for improving quality of life; however, there are no laws mandating access to public buildings, transportation, or state services, and the government does not provide such access for persons with disabilities.