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Pathway

Seychelles Business Residence

Seychelles Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

To run your own business in Seychelles as a foreign national, you need a Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP). The Seychelles Investment Board must first review your business proposal. Obtain the required permission before entering to operate the business.

First review
Seychelles Investment Board approval of the project
Personal permit
A Gainful Occupation Permit for the self-employed activity
Business limits
Check foreign-ownership and reserved-activity rules

Summary

A foreign operator can seek permission to live in Seychelles while running an approved business, starting with a project proposal to the Seychelles Investment Board. The proposed activity must satisfy any foreign-ownership restrictions and rules reserving certain work for local applicants.

Project approval then supports an application for a Gainful Occupation Permit covering the self-employed activity, together with any professional or business permissions. These approvals must be arranged before entering to operate the business; registering a company or owning shares alone does not grant residence.

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Eligibility

Send a written project proposal to the Seychelles Investment Board and obtain the project and activity approvals it requires. Check foreign-ownership limits and whether the activity is reserved for local applicants.

Use the approved project to support your GOP application. Supply the business and personal documents Immigration requests, and obtain any separate work or professional approvals needed for your role.

Starting a business in Seychelles
  1. Check the proposed business Confirm that foreign ownership and the activity are allowed.
  2. Obtain project approval Submit your proposal to the Seychelles Investment Board.
  3. Apply for the GOP Get permission before entering to operate the business.

The business project and your own permission to work both need approval.

What This Route Allows

You can live in Seychelles and carry out the self-employed business activity for the period approved on your permit, subject to its conditions.

What This Route Is Not

Registering a company, holding shares, or buying property does not by itself grant residence. This is not citizenship by investment and does not guarantee permanent residence.

Next Steps

  1. Check that the business, foreign ownership, and your role are allowed.
  2. Submit the project to the Investment Board and obtain the required approvals.
  3. Apply for the GOP before entering to operate the business, and keep the supporting records current.

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Sources