The other nearby countries to Seychelles are Madagascar, Mauritius, Comoros, Mayotte, and Reunion.
In recent years Seychelles has become popular among tourists and ex-pats around the world. The picturesque beaches, heavy vegetation, and calmness capture the hearts of many. However, like elsewhere on the planet, Seychelles has its pros and cons. Let’s explore the good and not so good about this beautiful country.
Visa and residence permit
If you are a citizen of the UK, EU, or the United States, you won’t need a visa to travel to Seychelles. Other nationalities, especially ones with a weaker passport may face difficulties in securing a visa. The way around is to travel to Mauritius or Dubai and get a Seychelles visa from there.
For a work permit, it is essential to secure a job before applying for one. Once you have the letter of engagement from your employer you may apply through an embassy nearest your country via mail. Business-related visas or investor visas are the simplest to come by. If you can prove that you have enough funds and willing to invest in the country (in the sectors highlighted by the Seychelles government) an investor’s visa is issued readily.
Lastly, if you can secure sponsorship from a local, who has a reputed business or good social position, getting a visa becomes much easier.
Beaches
The beaches in Seychelles are public places. Even if they lie on a hotel, resort, or private residence front, tourists and locals can still come and enjoy. Generally, the beaches are kept clean by the community or schools. Many beaches have corals right at the shore, which may cause a hindrance to swim.
Weather
Like other tropical regions, Seychelles has only two seasons. The wet season is when you can experience heavy and long spells of heavy showers. And the dry season, usually from November to April, when the weather is dry and hot to the point it becomes unbearable. Rains, however, can be expected all year-round.
Wild animals
There is not much wildlife per se, however, you should be open to encountering deadly centipedes, millipedes, giant spiders, and mildly venomous snakes at all times. Dogs are other invaders that may take you for a run, so one should be vigilant of them as well.
Cost of living
Being a logistically difficult country, the cost of daily use items and food can be higher than you may anticipate. This is true for restaurants, hotels, resorts, and every other thing you wish for.
House rents if you choose to live close to Victoria are higher than in other places in Seychelles. Living far away from the capital means that you either have your car or rely on taxis, in both cases it may pose as an added expense. It is prudent to have your budget and cost of living synced before moving in.
Transportation
As stated earlier, if you reside in a town away from the capital, traveling in and out may pose a problem. The distances may be less, but due to the winding roads, small distances take extra time to cover.
Another discouraging factor is that driving on these winding roads at night takes lots and lots of practice. Hence it is strongly advised to cancel the dinner outing in case you are running late.
Healthcare and medical facilities
For basic health concerns such as seasonal illnesses and such, the healthcare structure in Seychelles is reliable and decent. For citizens all healthcare is provided by the state, however, foreigners have to pay. Still, first aid and immediate care are provided regardless of the residence status of the person.