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Last Updated:
November 5, 2007 16:42
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Still Valid: November 15, 2007 22:52 EST |
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1. RECENT UPDATES Sections 1 and 2 of this Travel Report have been updated. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Seychelles
You are advised to exercise normal safety precautions in the country. Most Canadian visitors to OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Tourist facilities are generally well developed on the islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. Petty crime occurs in and around tourist facilities, but remains low. Ensure personal belongings are secure at all times. Valuables and travel documents should be kept in secure hotel facilities. Avoid deserted beaches and solo trips to the beach, other than at major hotels. Also, avoid poorly lit areas after dark and do not travel alone. Care should be taken when hiking in remote areas. Visitors on maritime excursions should leave identification, travel documents, and an itinerary with the hotel reception desk to assist the coast guard and police in the event of a problem. It is also recommended that a cellular phone be carried. Many islands are isolated, and travel by ship, including emergency travel, may be difficult in stormy weather. Strong currents make swimming dangerous at some locations. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Seychellois authorities and was valid on June 28, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the High Commission for the Republic of Seychelles, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Seychelles. The passport must be valid until the date of your expected departure from the country. An onward or return ticket and proof of sufficient funds may be required. Tourist Visa: Not required (for stays less than 90 days) Business Visa: Not required Student Visa: Not required Travellers are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination if they are arriving in Seychelles from infected areas. A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS There is no resident Canadian government office in Seychelles. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address: Tanzania - DAR ES SALAAM, High Comission of Canada Address: 38 Mirambo Street, Corner Garden Avenue, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Postal Address: P.O. Box 1022, Dar es Salaam, Tel.: 255 (22) 216-3300 Fax: 255 (22) 211-6897 E-Mail: dslam@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.daressalaam.gc.ca For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and follow the instructions. You may also make a collect call to the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Homosexual activity is illegal. Strict regulations may be enforced on the temporary import or export of items such as firearms, spear fishing equipment, and fruits and vegetables. There is a six-month quarantine period for warm-blooded animals. Canadians should contact the Consulate for the Republic of Seychelles in Montreal (see section 4 above) for specific information regarding customs requirements. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Traffic drives on the left. Seat belts are mandatory for drivers and front-seat passengers. Roads are generally well maintained but narrow and winding, often with sheer drops and few barriers. Drive defensively, particularly after dark. Car rentals are available. You should purchase adequate car insurance. When returning a rented vehicle, it is important to receive written acknowledgement stating that the vehicle has not been damaged. In the event of a traffic accident, remain at the scene until the police arrive. For emergency assistance on the islands of Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue, call 999. Buses and taxis are available. Pre-negotiate taxi fares. On the main islands of Mahe and Praslin, public transportation by bus is a viable option. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended. The currency is the Seychellois rupee (SR). It is prohibited to exchange foreign currencies other than at the official rate. Banks, casinos, hotels, and the international airport are licensed to exchange currencies. Visitors must settle their hotel bills in U.S. currency by credit card or traveller's cheques. U.S. dollars and euros are the preferred foreign currency. Taxi operators, shops, and private individuals are not permitted to receive foreign currencies. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE The monsoon season extends from November to February. The heaviest rainfall is usually from mid-December to mid-January. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Medical facilities are limited, particularly on isolated islands where there are no doctors. There is a hospital in Victoria. Travellers should protect themselves against the strong sun. Sunblock and insect repellent are expensive and supplies are limited. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
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