Seychelles orders surrender of diplomatic and official passports held outside active service

Source: https://mfa.gov.sc/news/notification-to-all-holders-of-diplomatic-and-official-passports/

Released: 2026-07-31

VICTORIA, Seychelles. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora has ordered all individuals holding Diplomatic or Official passports who are no longer actively serving in the official capacity for which the documents were issued to surrender them immediately.

In a press release issued on Friday, the Ministry said that such passports are no longer valid for travel. Holders travelling on these documents will not be allowed to travel.

Holders who remain in active service have been reminded that Diplomatic and Official passports are authorised exclusively for official government business. Using the documents for personal travel or leisure vacations is a violation of the regulations.

The Ministry has warned that any Diplomatic or Official passport presented at the Seychelles International Airport Immigration Border Control by a non-compliant traveller will be confiscated on the spot.

For all non-official, personal or private travel, individuals must obtain and use a standard Ordinary passport. The possession of a Diplomatic or Official passport does not exempt anyone from this requirement.

All concerned individuals have been asked to return their passports to the Principal Secretary, Ambassador Ian Madeleine, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora, Maison Quéau de Quinssy, Mont-Fleuri.

Anyone with questions can contact the Ministry by telephone on +248 428 3500.