Protocol

VIP Lounge

Extending the courtesy of the VIP lounge by the Government of a country to local and foreign dignitaries is an established international practice. In Seychelles, the Foreign Affairs Department is the authority responsible for extending this service on behalf of the Government of Seychelles.

Use of VIP by eligible persons

 

The eligibility of local and foreign dignitaries to use the lounge is determined by the ‘Use of the VIP Lounge Policy’.

Use of the VIP Lounge Policy – Local dignitaries (link)

Use of the VIP Lounge Policy – Foreign dignitaries (link)

VIP lounge booking

Request for access to the VIP lounge should be made by completing the ‘Application for Use of the VIP lounge’ form. (Insert link)

Use of VIP by non-eligible persons

The use of the VIP Lounge may be authorised to other local and foreign individuals upon payment of a fee of 230 USD directly to Air Seychelles Ltd, the operator of VIP services at the VIP lounge of the Seychelles International Airport.

https://seychellesairports.sc/air-seychelles-vip-lounge/

Fast Track Service

A Fast Track service is extended to persons such as Non-Resident Heads of Offices of International Organisations, Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Seychelles who are not eligible for VIP lounge privileges. The service consists of the following:

  • Welcoming by a representative of the State Protocol
  • Assistance with luggage upon disembarkation
  • Assistance with health formalities
  • Assistance with immigration formalities
  • Assistance with luggage retrieval from conveyor belt
  • Assistance with Customs

VIP Transport

The Foreign Affairs Department provides transport to foreign officials on State, Official and Working visits to Seychelles. This service is provided by the department’s Protocol Chauffeurs in their assigned VIP vehicles.

The Protocol Chauffeurs are trained in protocol etiquette, tour guiding, first aid, and self-defense, and have training and experience in VIP driving. They are responsible for the comfort, safety, and security of their passengers from the moment they step into the vehicle to the moment they step out of it.

The categories of officials eligible for this service when they travel to Seychelles are given below.

Foreign Officials on State/Official Visits

Foreign Officials Number of Vehicles
Heads of State 8
Heads of Government 8
Deputy Heads of State and Vice Presidents 5
Ministers 3
Heads of International Organisations (UN, Commonwealth, IMF etc.) 3
Ambassadors/High Commissioners accredited to the Republic of Seychelles 1
Special Envoys 1

Special transport arrangements, based on reciprocity, may apply to visits by foreign officials of countries that the President of the Republic of Seychelles or other high-ranking local dignitaries have visited before. In such cases, when foreign officials of equal rank from those countries visit Seychelles, the department, as much as possible, tries to match the transport courtesies provided to our local dignitaries by those countries.

Foreign Officials on Working Visits

Foreign Officials Number of Vehicles
Heads of State and Heads of Government 3
Deputy Heads of State and Vice Presidents 2
Ministers 1
Heads of International Organisations (UN, Commonwealth, IMF etc.) 1

Seychelles Honorary Consuls

Seychelles Honorary Consuls are eligible for VIP transport and Protocol Chauffeur when they visit Seychelles. This courtesy is extended for airport transfers and official purposes only.

Protocol Assistance and Guidance

The Protocol Office provides protocol assistance at events hosted by the State and Diplomatic Missions to which high-ranking government officials are invited. Such events may include but are not limited to:

  • Visits of high-ranking dignitaries
  • Conferences
  • Ceremonies

Protocol Support Provided

The assistance and guidance provided may include:

  • Drafting of Programme
  • Order of Precedence
  • Seating Arrangements at Events
  • Display of Flags

Protocol Equipment Rental

The Protocol Office is equipped with following items to support the events being planned:

  • National Flags of Seychelles, other countries and flags of International Organisation
  • Lecterns
  • Flag Poles
  • Equipment for signing ceremonies

Requesting these services

To obtain these services a request should be sent to protocol@mfa.gov.sc at least two weeks before the event.

Exemption and Refund of Taxes

In accordance with the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 and Consular Relations of 1963, members of Diplomatic Missions and Consular Posts in Seychelles are entitled to tax privileges. This also applies to certain members of offices of International Organisations in line with relevant agreements between Seychelles and the International Organisation. However, the purpose of such privileges is not to benefit the individuals but to ensure that they efficiently discharge of their duties

Import Duties

Depending on their diplomatic ranks, members of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organisations in Seychelles are entitled to exemption of import duties on imported items for their official and personal use.

Members of the Consular Posts in Seychelles are entitled to exemption of import duties on items imported for official use of the Consulate.

How to apply for Exemption of Import Duties?

The request for exemption of Import Duties should be made under cover of a Note Verbale or Official letter. All submissions to the Foreign Affairs Department should comply with the following requirements:

  1. Should be in Seychelles Rupees. If there is a need to convert currencies, it is advisable to use the exchange rate of the date of the transaction or the Central Bank of Seychelles average rates.  The refund will be in Seychelles Rupees.

 

  1. The following documents should be attached to the request:

 

  • Relevant Invoices
  • Packing List containing details of items
  • Airway bill/Bill of entry/Details of Shipment

Refund of Value Added Tax

Depending on their diplomatic ranks, members of the Diplomatic Missions and International Organizations in Seychelles are entitled to refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on items for their official and personal use.

Members of the Consular Post in Seychelles are entitled to refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on items for the official use of the Consulate.

How to apply for Refund of Value Added Tax (VAT)?

The request for refund of VAT should be made under cover of a Note Verbale or Official letter. All submissions to the Ministry should comply with the following requirements:

  1. All claims should be in Seychelles rupees. If there is a need to convert currencies, it is advisable to use the exchange rate of the date of the transaction or the Central Bank of Seychelles average rates.  The refund will be in Seychelles Rupees.

 

  1. For the refund to be approved and processed the VAT invoice or receipt should contain the following, as per Part 8 Section 28 of the VAT Act, 2010:

 

  1. The words “VAT invoice” in a prominent place.
  2. The name, address and the taxpayer Identification Number (T.I.N) of the supplier.
  3. The description of the goods (including quantity or volume) or services supplied and the date on which the supply was made.
  4. The amount of VAT charged.
  5. The name of the recipient of the supply, if the supplier is not VAT registered.

 

  1. Claims should not be made on
  2. Exempt supplies such as gasoline and salaries.
  3. Items given as gifts or donations
  4. Rental property

 

  1. The VAT invoices or receipts submitted should not be blurry. If they are, the claim will not be processed.

 

  1. All submissions should be for purchases made for a period of 3 months (quarterly).

 

  1. All claims should be submitted to the Ministry no later than the 10th day of the following quarter for transmittal to the Seychelles Revenue Commission.

 

  1. Only diplomats registered with the Ministry are eligible to make claims for refund.

 

  1. VAT Refund only applies to invoices higher than SCR 300 excluding VAT.

 

  1. Changes in or new bank details should be communicated to the Ministry for the attention of the Seychelles Revenue Commission.

 

Refund of Excise Tax on Fuel

Depending on their diplomatic ranks, members of the Diplomatic Missions in Seychelles are entitled to refund of Excise Tax on fuel for their official and personal use. An amount of SCR 8.50 is refunded on each litre of fuel consumed.

How to apply for Refund of Excise Tax on Fuel?

The request for refund of Excise Tax in Fuel should be made under cover of a Note Verbale or Official letter. All submissions to the department should comply with the following requirements:

  1. All claims should be in Seychelles rupees. If there is a need to convert currencies, it is advisable to use the exchange rate of the date of the transaction or the Central Bank of Seychelles average rates.  The refund will be in Seychelles Rupees.

 

  1. For the refund to be approved and processed the following procedures should be complied with:
  1. The request should be accompanied by the receipt(s) obtained on the day of purchase signed and stamped by a representative of the Petrol Station
  2. All submissions should be for purchases made for a period of 3 months (quarterly).
  3. All claims should be submitted to the department no later than the 10th day of the following quarter for transmittal to the Seychelles Revenue Commission.
  4. Only diplomats registered with the Ministry are eligible to make claims for refund.
  1. Changes in or new bank details should be communicated to the Ministry for the attention of the Seychelles Revenue Commission.

Issuance of Special ID Cards

Members of Diplomatic, Consular Missions, and Office of International Organisations based in Seychelles are required to apply for an ID with the Foreign Affairs Department no more than two weeks after they have taken up their posts in the country.

The ID card will ensure that to ensure that the Members of Diplomatic, Consular Missions, and Office of International Organisations are accorded the privileges and immunities due to them in accordance with relevant International Conventions and Seychelles’ Laws.

How to apply for an ID card?

The Diplomatic/Consular ID Application form should be submitted under cover of a Note Verbale or Letter of request from a Diplomatic Mission, Consular Post or Office of International Organisation as the case may be, should be submitted to the Foreign Affairs Department.                        The following documents should be attached to the application form:

  1. A digital photograph of the applicant of 2×2 inches taken on white background and captured within six (6) months of application;
  2. A copy of biographical page of the applicant’s passport(with at least six (6) months validity;
  3. Certified copy of marriage certificate(if applicable);
  4. Certified copy of birth certificateshowing parents’ names (if minor);

Sale of Seychelles National Flags

National Flags of the Republic of Seychelles are on sale at the Foreign Affairs Department. Illustrated in the table below are the sizes of flags currently on sale, their costs in Seychelles Rupees and the purposes that they serve:

No Dimensions Cost (SCR) Purpose
1. 9×4.5 inches

Table flag

200 Flag displayed on desks, tables and other similar raised flat surfaces especially during meetings and conferences
2. 2×1 ft. 380 Flag displayed as an alternative to the 4×2 ft.
3. 4×2 ft. 350 Flag displayed on vessels (boats, yachts etc.…) and at private residences.
4. 6×3 ft. 430 Flag displayed indoor and outdoor on public premises and also at private residences.

Disposal of damaged flags

When a flag becomes worn, noticeably faded, or otherwise unfit for service, it should be returned to the Protocol Office for it to be properly disposed of.