Under the newly published Seychelles rules, foreign investors can obtain citizenship by investing more than US$1 million in the country to start or expand a business.
Seychelles is the smallest African state, consisting of 115 islands. It is a small paradise for those seeking an abundance of marine life and gorgeous unspoiled beaches.
Benefits of the Seychelles Citizenship by Investment Program:
- The most powerful African passport with hassle-free travel
- Access to free health care and other benefits
- Exemption from payment of penalties and obtaining a permit for paid work.
An investor is eligible to apply for Citizenship by Investment by fulfilling all of the following requirements:
- Invest US$1 million or more in a business in Seychelles.
- Live in Seychelles for 11 years as a legal resident.
- Not be absent from Seychelles for an uninterrupted period of one year or more without the consent of the Minister of the Interior.
- Not be sentenced to imprisonment for more than 1 year under any Seychelles law.
- Achieve a minimum of 80% in one of the three national languages (Creole, English, or French) in the citizenship qualification exam.
- Don’t be a banned immigrant.
The investor must pass an exam in which (s)he will have to answer 25 out of 100 questions in one of three national languages (Creole, English, or French). The exam has a passing score of 80% and is administered by the Department of Immigration and Civil Status every two months.