World Factbook
Seychelles
Republic of Seychelles
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: five expanding bands of blue, yellow, red, white, and green, radiating from the bottom left corner meaning: the bands symbolize a dynamic new country moving into the future; blue stands for the sky and sea, yellow for the sun giving light and life, red for the people's determination to work for the future in unity and love, white for social justice and harmony, and green for the land and natural environment
Capital
name
Victoria
etymology
the British named the town Port Victoria in 1841 after Queen VICTORIA; the name was later shortened
time difference
UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
4 37 S, 55 27 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Seychelles
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previous 1970, 1979; latest drafted May 1993, approved by referendum 18 June 1993, effective 23 June 1993
amendment process
proposed by the National Assembly; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the National Assembly; passage of amendments affecting the country’s sovereignty, symbols and languages, the supremacy of the constitution, fundamental rights and freedoms, amendment procedures, and dissolution of the Assembly also requires approval by at least 60% of voters in a referendum
Country name
etymology
named by French Captain Corneille Nicholas MORPHEY after Jean Moreau de SÉCHELLES, the finance minister of France, in 1756; the British changed the spelling of the name in 1815 when they acquired the islands
local long form
Republic of Seychelles
local short form
Seychelles
conventional long form
Republic of Seychelles
conventional short form
Seychelles
Independence
29 June 1976 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law, French civil law, and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Seychelles Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and 4 justices); Supreme Court of Seychelles (consists of the chief justice and 9 puisne judges); Constitutional Court (consists of 3 Supreme Court judges)
subordinate courts
Magistrates' Courts of Seychelles; Family Tribunal for issues such as domestic violence, child custody, and maintenance; Employment Tribunal for labor-related disputes
judge selection and term of office
all judges appointed by the president of the republic upon the recommendation of the Constitutional Appointments Authority, a 3-member body, with 1 member appointed by the president of the republic, 1 by the opposition leader in the National Assembly, and 1 by the other 2 appointees; judges serve until retirement at age 70
Executive branch
note
note: the president is both chief of state and head of government
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President Patrick HERMINIE (since 26 October 2025)
election results
2025 : Patrick HERMINIE elected president; Patrick HERMINIE (US) 52.7%, Wavel RAMKALAWAN (LDS) 47.3%
head of government
President Patrick HERMINIE (since 26 October 2025)
most recent election date
9 October 2025
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
2030
National holiday
Constitution Day, 18 June (1993); Independence Day (National Day), 29 June (1976)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, red, white, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
2 (both natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Aldabra Atoll; Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve
Political parties
Seychelles Party for Social Justice and Democracy or SPSJD Seychellois Democratic Alliance or LDS (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa/Union Démocratique Seychelloise) Seychelles National Party or SNP United Seychelles or US
Legislative branch
term in office
5 years
number of seats
34 (all directly elected)
electoral system
mixed system
legislature name
National Assembly
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
9/27/2025
expected date of next election
September 2030
percentage of women in chamber
26.5%
parties elected and seats per party
United Seychelles (US) (19); Seychelles Democratic Alliance (Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, LDS) (15)
National anthem(s)
title
"Koste Seselwa" (Seychellois Unite)
history
adopted 1996
lyrics/music
David Francois Marc ANDRE and George Charles Robert PAYET
National symbol(s)
coco de mer (sea coconut)
Administrative divisions
27 administrative districts; Anse aux Pins, Anse Boileau, Anse Etoile, Anse Royale, Au Cap, Baie Lazare, Baie Sainte Anne, Beau Vallon, Bel Air, Bel Ombre, Cascade, Glacis, Grand Anse Mahe, Grand Anse Praslin, Ile Persévérance I, Ile Persévérance II, La Digue, La Rivière Anglaise, Les Mamelles, Mont Buxton, Mont Fleuri, Plaisance, Pointe Larue, Port Glaud, Roche Caiman, Saint Louis, Takamaka
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (212) 972-1786
chancery
685 Third Avenue, Suite 1107, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10017
telephone
[1] (212) 972-1785
chief of mission
Ambassador Vivianne FOCK TAVE (since 16 December 2025); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
email address and website
seychellesmission@sycun.org Foreign Affairs Department Republic of Seychelles » United States of America (mfa.gov.sc)
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
2nd Floor, Oliaji Trade Center, Victoria Mahe, Seychelles; note - US Embassy in Seychelles reopened on 1 June 2023 after having been closed in 1996
telephone
[248] 422 5256
chief of mission
Ambassador Henry V. JARDINE (since 22 February 2023) and Chargé d’Affaires Adham LOUTFI (since 6 October 2023); note - Ambassador JARDINE is posted in Mauritius and is accredited to Seychelles, and Chargé d’Affaires LOUTFI is posted in Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles
email address and website
USEmbassySeychelles@state.gov https://sc.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AOSIS, AU, C, CD, COMESA, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, InOC, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, SADC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction