Home > Africa > Seychelles > Seychelles Residency By Investment Program | A Complete Guide
Seychelles Residency By Investment Program | A Complete Guide
What’s Seychelles’ Residency By Investment Program:
Seychelles has never traditionally been an immigration country. However, in April 2020, the local government introduced the Reserved Economic Activities Policy. This policy offers a pathway for foreigners who have lived in Seychelles long-term and are willing to invest over $1 million USD locally to apply for permanent residency or even citizenship.
This $1 million USD investment is just a prerequisite. If you wish to apply for this program, you must also meet the following two conditions:
1. Legally reside in Seychelles for no less than one year, OR have had economic ties with Seychelles for over five years.
2. Have never been imprisoned in Seychelles for more than one year.
The processing fee for the investment-based permanent residency program is 1,000 Seychellois Rupees (SCR), and the application fee is 150,000 SCR. The processing time is three months.
If you wish to apply for Seychellois Citizenship, investors need to meet the following conditions:
1. Have legally resided in the country for more than 11 years.
2. Achieve a score of 80% or higher in a local Seychellois Creole, English, or French language examination.
Similar to permanent residency, the processing fee for citizenship is 1,000 SCR. However, the application fee is higher at 350,000 SCR, and the processing time is approximately six months.
Program Advantages:
Compared to its neighboring countries, Seychelles’ Residency by Investment Program offers several compelling advantages:
1. Low Taxation: Seychelles boasts a generally relaxed tax system. It doesn’t tax the global income of its residents. Furthermore, the country has established several trade zones that offer attractive low-tax policies.
2. High-Value Passport: The Seychellois passport is highly regarded, ranking 22nd globally. Holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 156 countries and regions worldwide, including major economic powers like China, Russia, and the European Union.
Application Process:
To apply for the Seychelles Residency by Investment program, your first step is to complete your investment within Seychelles. Once that’s done and you’ve meticulously gathered all the necessary paperwork, you’ll need to personally submit your application to the Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status Department.
The essential documents for this program typically include:
- Applicant Identification: This comprises your valid passport and a recent passport-sized photograph.
- Proof of Investment: You are required to furnish detailed evidence confirming the successful completion of your investment.
- Criminal Record Check: An official certificate demonstrating that you have no criminal record.
It’s important to note that the Seychelles Immigration and Civil Status Department assesses each application on a case-by-case basis, and their review and subsequent feedback will be tailored to your specific situation.
Dependent Applicants:
Under the Seychelles Residency by Investment program, the primary applicant’s spouse and any financially dependent children are eligible to apply for a dependent visa to enter Seychelles.
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