Claiming what is yours

Seychelles is a nation of descent. Nationality passes through Seselwa parents far more than through birthplace, which is exactly why the children of the diaspora can reclaim what is theirs. This is the honest guide. Confirm the specifics with Immigration and Civil Status before you build plans on them.

Are you already a citizen?

If you were born outside Seychelles on or after 5 June 1979, and at least one of your parents was a Seychellois citizen on the day you were born, then under Seychellois law you are a citizen by descent. You may not have the certificate or the passport yet, but the status is yours to claim.

Claiming citizenship by descent

Adults born abroad who can prove a Seychellois parent, and in some cases a Seychellois grandparent, can apply to be registered as citizens. The process runs through Immigration and Civil Status (ICS) under the Ministry of Homeland Security and Civil Affairs, or through a Seychelles mission abroad.

1. Build the paper chain. Your birth certificate, your Seychellois parent's (or grandparent's) birth certificate, marriage certificates, and civil-register or church records that link you to them without a gap. Documents from abroad usually need legalisation or an apostille, see the missions page.
2. Lodge the application with ICS in Victoria or through your nearest Seychelles mission.
3. Await the Citizenship Committee, then take the oath of allegiance and receive your certificate. Timelines run from several months to a couple of years depending on the route.

Children born to a Seychellois parent are registered with the parent's help, through birth registration and a certificate. The 80% Kreol citizenship exam applies to naturalisation and special routes, not usually to those who already qualify by descent, but confirm your own case.

Then the passport

Once your citizenship is registered, the passport follows. Only three missions issue Seychelles passports abroad, London, Paris and Abu Dhabi, and you must complete e-verification with Immigration Seychelles first. The full walkthrough is on the passports page.

Dual citizenship

Seychelles allows dual nationality, but the rules on retaining or acquiring a second citizenship have conditions, and practice has varied over the years. If you hold or plan to hold another passport, confirm your exact position with ICS rather than assuming.