Licensed by activity
Trade Licence & Business Permits in Seychelles
Domestic business in Seychelles is licensed by activity through the Licensing Authority. IBCs sit outside that system.
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Two separate worlds
An International Business Company is registered and supervised through its licensed registered agent and the Financial Services Authority. A business trading in Seychelles is licensed by the Seychelles Licensing Authority, with sector permits on top. Knowing which world you are in prevents most of the confusion here.
- Licence category identified before you commit to premises
- Sector permits mapped alongside the trade licence
- Reserved activity check included
20+
Mainland, free zone and offshore jurisdictions we file in — so the recommendation is based on your activity, not on which authority we happen to be registered with.
7,000+
Companies successfully established.
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What applies
Licences and permits in Seychelles
It depends which vehicle you use.
| Requirement | When it applies | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Trade licence | Domestic business activity | Seychelles Licensing Authority |
| Sector permit | Tourism, health, food and transport | Relevant authority |
| Financial services licence | Regulated financial activity | Financial Services Authority |
| Health clearance | Food handling premises | Health authority |
| Environmental clearance | Certain developments | Environment authority |
| IBC registration | Cross-border activity | Registrar, via the registered agent |
Licence categories, fees and the reserved activity list are set by the authorities and change. Yours is checked before application. An International Business Company must at all times have a registered agent licensed by the Financial Services Authority. That is a statutory requirement in Seychelles, not a commercial preference. We co-ordinate your engagement with a licensed Seychelles registered agent and manage the process end to end; the regulated filings are made by them.
How it works
Getting licensed
Activity and premises decide what you need.
01
Map the requirements
Which trade licence category applies, which sector permits are needed and whether the activity is reserved.
02
Prepare and apply
Company established, premises requirements met and applications prepared with the supporting evidence each requires.
03
Maintain
Renewal dates tracked and variations filed when the activity or premises change.
Typically required
What a licence application needs
Premises evidence is usually the gating item.
- Company incorporation documents
- Precise activity description
- Premises lease or ownership evidence
- Premises suitability for the activity
- Identity documents for directors and shareholders
- Business plan where assessed
- Health clearance for food premises
- Environmental clearance where required
- Qualifications where the activity requires them
- Permits for foreign staff
- Expected turnover
- Proof of fee payment
Scope
What is included, and what is not
Stated plainly, so nothing is added once the engagement starts.
Included in the service fee
- Licence and permit mapping for your activity
- Reserved activity check
- Application preparation and submission
- Co-ordination with the Licensing Authority
- Sector permit co-ordination
- Responses to queries
- Renewal tracking
- Variations when the business changes
Not included, quoted separately
- Licence and permit fees, paid at cost
- Premises rent and fit-out
- Health and environmental inspection charges
- Financial services licensing, quoted separately
- Professional qualification recognition
- Authority decisions
- Regulated filings, made by the licensed registered agent
- Sector-specific equipment compliance
Verify independently
Official Seychelles authorities
We file directly with these bodies on your behalf.
Financial Services AuthorityRegistrar of CompaniesSeychelles Revenue CommissionSeychelles Licensing AuthorityMinistry of InvestmentSeychelles Pension Fund
Questions
Seychelles trade licences — FAQs
Does an IBC need a trade licence?
Generally no, because it is not trading domestically. Local activity is what triggers the trade licence requirement.
Who issues trade licences?
The Seychelles Licensing Authority, by activity category, with sector permits from the relevant authority on top.
Can I apply before leasing premises?
Premises evidence is usually required, which is why we map the requirements before you sign anything.
Are some activities closed to foreigners?
Yes. Certain activities are reserved for Seychellois, and we check yours before you invest in the plan.
How often do licences renew?
Periodically, with fees. We track the dates so a lapse does not interrupt trading.
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At Black Swan Business Setup Services, our mission is simple: to empower entrepreneurs and companies of all sizes to establish and expand their presence in the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and beyond.
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