Seychelles

Compliance/Financial Considerations

If you intend to do any of the following in Seychelles, please contact Risk Services at risk@berkeley.edu or 642-5141:

  • Hire a local to work for you as an employee
  • Purchase or lease office or research space
  • Purchase or lease an automobile
  • Establish a long-term (over 90 days) or ongoing project
  • Conduct a clinical trial 

U.S. GOVERNMENT COMPLIANCE CONSIDERATIONS 

Foreign activities may trigger many U.S. laws, including:

  • Import Controls
  • Export Controls
  • Tax Reporting
  • Foreign Bank Account Reporting
  • Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions
  • Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
  • Anti-Boycott Laws 

Import Controls. UC employees must adhere to U.S. import requirements, and may need to enlist the services of a customs broker, especially for shipments arriving by sea and subject to the Importer Security Filing 71730, also known as ISF 10+2.  

Export Controls. Export controls may apply to advanced software and technology, research data, and other sensitive assets. UC’s Export Compliance FAQ contains useful information and can be found here.  Go here for the University of California plan for compliance with federal export controls. If you plan on taking or sending potentially export-controlled materials to Seychelles, consult the campus Research Administration Compliance Office at 642-0120. 

Tax Reporting. The University and its employees may be taxed in foreign countries. The United States does not have a tax treaty with Seychelles. For more information about double taxation issues, contact the Controller’s Office at:

Foreign Bank Account Reporting. The U.S. Treasury Department requires U.S. citizens with a financial interest in or signatory authority over a financial account in a foreign country, where accounts exceed $10,000 at any point during a calendar year, to report such accounts on a Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FinCen Report 114). Those needing to complete the form should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803 for assistance. An IRS 1040 Schedule B form (Part III–Foreign Accounts and Trusts) must be filed by the signatory for any foreign bank account, regardless of the account balance.  

Country Embargoes and Targeted Sanctions. In general, collaborations between University personnel and scholars at foreign institutions or organizations do not require export licenses unless they involve export-controlled or -restricted research or involve scholars in sanctioned countries. Before engaging in an international collaboration, the University needs to determine whether export licenses are required and to verify that the foreign collaborator is not blocked or sanctioned. The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is responsible for enforcing all U.S. embargoes and sanctions. Depending on each country’s embargo or sanction program, activities may be prohibited without specific authorization or license. UC’s International Collaborations webpage contains additional information on this topic.   

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is intended to stop bribery. It prohibits offering to pay, paying, promising to pay, or authorizing the payment of money or anything of value to a foreign official. The term “foreign official” generally includes any employee or contractor of a foreign government, and may include individuals employed by foreign universities. It is also unlawful to make a payment to a third party knowing that all or part of the payment will go to a foreign official. For more information, review the federal government’s Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. If you need further clarification, contact the UC Berkeley Office of Legal Affairs at 642-7122.  Transparency International’s 2018 survey of perceived public sector corruption rated Seychelles at 66 out of 100 (28th out of 180 countries reviewed, i.e.  relatively clean).

Anti-Boycott Laws.  The U.S. Department of Commerce is responsible for oversight of laws prohibiting individuals and entities from participating in boycotts not approved or sanctioned by the U.S. government. The Export Administration Act requires that requests to participate in such boycotts or to conduct activities in any of the boycotting countries be formally reported to the Department of Commerce and/or IRS.

For other compliance-related issues, refer to UC’s International Compliance webpage.   

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR DOING BUSINESS INTERNATIONALLY

Foreign Bank Accounts. Employees wishing to open a foreign bank account should contact the Controller’s Office at cashiers@berkeley.edu or 643-9803. Requests to open accounts must be made through the Office of the President’s Banking and Treasury Services Group by the Chancellor or the Chancellor’s designee. 

Real Estate Agreements. Only employees with delegated authority to sign contracts on behalf of The Regents may enter into agreements, leases, or other contracts.  Foreign affiliates or operations must submit to the Real Estate Services Office property management agreements, personal property leases, or contracts with a term longer than one year or in an amount greater than $25,000 per year. The campus then seeks approval from the University president or designee. For more information, consult the Guidelines for the Establishment and Operation of Foreign Affiliate Organizations and Foreign Operations

Articles

The US State Department's page on SEYCHELLES may be found HERE.

Personal Safety

AS OF NOVEMBER 2, AUTHORITIES IN SEYCHELLES ARE MAINTAINING LIMITED RESTRICTIONS PUT IN PLACE TO CURB THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS DISEASE (COVID-19); CURRENT MEASURES REMAIN IN PLACE UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. LIMITED INTERNATIONAL COMMERCIAL AIR TRAVEL WILL CONTINUE AT SEYCHELLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (SEZ). ONLY TRAVELERS FROM CATEGORY 1 AND CATEGORY 2 COUNTRIES, AS ASSESSED BY THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM, CAN ENTER THE COUNTRY. TRAVELERS ARRIVING IN SEYCHELLES BY PRIVATE AIRCRAFT WILL ALSO BE CONSIDERED. TRAVELERS FROM CATEGORY 1 MUST SUBMIT PROOF OF A VALID NEGATIVE COVID-19 PCR TEST TAKEN UP TO 72 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. ALL TRAVELERS MUST PROVIDE PROOF OF ACCOMMODATION IN AN APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF STAY AND MUST SHOW BOOKING VOUCHERS AT IMMIGRATION ON ENTRY.  TRAVERERS FROM CATEGORY 2 AND "SPECIAL STATUS COUNTRIES" MUST SUBMIT PROOF OF A VALID NEGATIVE COVID-19 TEST TAKEN UP TO 48 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. TRAVELERS ARE REQUIRED TO STAY IN ONE ESTABLISHMENT, SPECIFICALLY AUTHORIZED TO ACCOMMODATE VISITORS FROM SCH COUNTRIES, FOR THE FIRST FIVE DAYS AFTER ENTERING SEYCHELLES. ON THE FIFTH DAY AFTER ARRIVAL, TRAVELERS FROM "SPECIAL STATUS COUNTRIES" MUST TAKE A COVID-19 PCR TEST. INDIVIDUALS WHO TEST NEGATIVE WILL BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TRAVEL. AUTHORITIES WILL PROBABLY AMEND MEASURES ON SHORT NOTICE IF THE NUMBER OF COVID-19 CASES INCREASES. 

Note: this page contains basic risk information. For more details, please contact the Risk Services Office at risk@berkeley.edu.

If you are traveling to Seychelles on University-related business, please sign up for the University’s travel insurance program by going here. For more information on the travel insurance program, please go here.

Because everyone’s health is unique, we suggest seeking the advice of a medical professional before traveling internationally. Members of the campus community interested in protecting their health while abroad may schedule an appointment with the University Health Services International Travel Clinic.   

The geopolitical threat in Seychelles is low. Although the Seychelles has a history of political instability, the country is currently stable. Both the government and opposition are committed to maintaining stability and ensuring that the country's crucial tourism industry remains unaffected.  

The threat of kidnapping in Seychelles is minimal. Kidnapping is not a common occurrence, and kidnappers are more likely to target locals. The most likely type of abduction in Seychelles is basic opportunistic kidnap-for-ransom. Victims are usually released unharmed and relatively quickly. 

Criminal activity is most prevalent in urban and tourist locations, particularly in tourist destinations like Beau Vallon beach and the capital, Victoria.  Nonviolent crime poses a moderate threat to foreign nationals, expatriates, and locals, and is widespread in tourist locations and crowded and poorly lit areas. Thieves typically target purses, bags, wallets, smartphones, and other electronic devices. These opportunistic crimes can occur anywhere, but especially at major tourist attractions, beaches, on buses, in taxis or cars, in restaurants or bars, and outside banks. Criminals typically target foreign nationals, expatriates, or local staff due to their perceived wealth.  Crimes against foreign nationals, expatriates, and local staff are more likely to escalate late at night or if the victim attempts to resist. Criminals can act alone or in groups.   Scams pose a low threat to foreign nationals in Seychelles.  

Overall, the threat of violent crime in Seychelles is low; criminals rarely target foreign nationals. Violent crimes, including robbery, assault, burglary, and pirate attacks pose the greatest threat in Beau Vallon, Victoria, and the high seas; this may be due to the concentration of low-income communities. Criminals in Seychelles may resort to force if a victim resists; always comply with criminals' demands as quickly as possible. 

Gender-based violence and/or discrimination does not pose a high threat. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in 2016; however, same-sex couples who publicly express affection may face harassment; verbal harassment or refusal to serve is rare. 

Organized crime does not usually affect foreign nationals, expatriates, or local personnel in Seychelles.
Highway robbery and banditry pose a low threat in Seychelles. The threat is highest in urban areas. Criminals may target tour buses or private vehicles; these incidents typically occur at night, but are possible at any hour of the day.

Legal/Political

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs result in long jail sentences and heavy fines. You may have difficulties at immigration if you are traveling with military clothing or arms/ammunition.  Some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. 

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Consular Agency or U.S. Embassy immediately.

LGBTI Travelers: While consensual same sex relations are legal in the Seychelles, LGBTI persons have reported instances of discrimination.