President James Michel has commended the excellent relationship between the Seychelles and the United Arab Emirates, as a visa waiver agreement between the two countries comes into force this week.

“The coming into force of this the visa waiver agreement will herald a new period in travel with ease for the Seychellois people and also enhance greater people to people contact, trade and tourism between our two countries. It bears testimony to the unique friendship between Seychelles and the UAE. We have very special ties based on mutual respect, understanding and support, and these will be further strengthened by the development of our tourism and trade exchanges ,” said President Michel.

The agreement was signed in Abu Dhabi in November last year, in the presence of President Michel during a working visit to the UAE.

Now that the internal procedures of the UAE and the Seychelles have been completed, the agreement will be effective as of 16 July 2015.

Henceforth, Seychellois nationals will be allowed to enter exit or transit through the United Arab Emirates without a visa and fees for a stay of up to 90 days.

It is important to note that Seychelles citizens will not be entitled to work or practice any professional  or study thereof, without observing applicable laws corresponding to these activities in the United Arab Emirates.

Seychelles is the first African country to sign an agreement of this kind with the UAE.