Set Up a Real, Trading Business Inside Seychelles
If you want to operate a physical business on the ground in Seychelles, not just hold an offshore company, you'll need a local company, a business licence and, for foreign owners or staff, a Gainful Occupation Permit. We incorporate the domestic company, handle its filings, and coordinate the licence and permit applications so you know exactly what each step requires.
What is a Seychelles business licence and GOP?
These are the two approvals you need to run a real business physically inside Seychelles. A business licence is issued by the Seychelles Licensing Authority (SLA) under the Licences Act, and authorises a specific trade or activity (retail, catering, construction, tourism, professional services and so on). It is separate from incorporating the company. A Gainful Occupation Permit (GOP) is the work permit a non-Seychellois needs to work in Seychelles legally, whether as an owner-operator or as employed staff. It's issued by the Immigration Division, with prior approval from the Ministry of Employment. This route is different from a Seychelles IBC. An IBC is for business done outside the country and needs neither a business licence nor a GOP.
Why set up a licensed local business in Seychelles?
You can actually trade on the ground - serve Seychelles customers, hold local premises, hire staff and invoice domestically, which an offshore IBC is not permitted to do.
Real local substance - a licensed, physically present company carries far more weight with banks, suppliers and authorities than a paper entity.
Tourism and services opportunity - hospitality, retail, construction and professional services are active sectors with a clear licensing path.
One coordinated process - we line up the company, its filings, the business licence and the GOP so the pieces fit together instead of stalling each other.
Straight answers on cost - business-licence and GOP fees are modest compared with an FSA financial licence, and we'll tell you the realistic government figures for your activity upfront.
Is a licensed Seychelles business right for you?
Good fit:
entrepreneurs opening a physical operation in Seychelles (a shop, restaurant, guesthouse, clinic, agency or workshop)
service firms with local clients and premises
foreign founders who intend to live and work in Seychelles and need a GOP to do so legally
Not a fit: anyone whose business is conducted entirely outside Seychelles (the offshore IBC is cheaper and faster, with no licence or permit), regulated financial activity such as forex, securities or fund management (that needs an FSA licence, not an SLA business licence), or anyone expecting us to supply the premises and staff. We incorporate and coordinate the paperwork. Establishing the actual office, shop or operation on the ground is your responsibility.
What You'll Need
A certified copy of each owner's, director's and any foreign worker's passport
Proof of residential address dated within the last 3 months
One to three proposed company names and a clear description of the activity
Beneficial-owner details and source of funds (for KYC)
Details of your intended Seychelles premises (location and use), since most licences require a premises inspection
For a GOP: a job role and contract, plus the Ministry of Employment approval that precedes the Immigration application
Note: a Seychelles domestic company that trades locally is tax-resident here and commonly involves a Seychelles-resident director. We'll confirm what your activity requires at consultation.
What's Included in Our Seychelles Business & GOP Licence Package
What our engagement covers:
Incorporation of the Seychelles domestic (local) company
Registered office in Victoria
Company name reservation and constitutional documents
Guidance on company structure, including the resident-director question for local trading
Confirming which SLA business licence your activity needs and what it costs
Preparing and submitting the business-licence application to the SLA
Coordinating the premises-inspection requirements with you
Preparing and submitting the Gainful Occupation Permit application to Immigration
Coordinating the prior Ministry of Employment approval that the GOP depends on
A digital corporate document pack plus annual compliance reminders
Not included
the physical premises, lease and fit-out · hiring and managing local staff · day-to-day operations on the ground · the SLA and Immigration government fees themselves. We are your formation and coordination service, not a physical-presence or staffing provider.
How It Works
01.
Scoping call
We confirm your activity, where you'll trade and whether the local-business-plus-GOP route (rather than an offshore IBC) is genuinely the right fit.
02.
Incorporation
We register your Seychelles domestic company and put its registered office in place.
03.
Licence assembly
We confirm the correct SLA licence for your activity, prepare the application and walk you through the premises-inspection requirements.
04.
GOP application
We coordinate the Ministry of Employment approval and prepare your Gainful Occupation Permit application for the Immigration Division.
05.
Submission and follow-up
We submit the applications and respond to queries; the SLA is required to process a business-licence application within 14 days once everything is in order.
06.
Operate
With the company, licence and permit in place, you set up your premises and begin trading. We stay on to handle your renewals and filings.
Seychelles Business & GOP Licence Pricing
Engagement fee
from
Covers incorporating the domestic company, and coordinating the business-licence and GOP applications.
Pairs Well With
What Our Clients Say
Planning a real business on the ground in Seychelles?
Book a free consultation. We'll confirm whether the local-company-plus-GOP route fits, or whether an offshore IBC is the cheaper option, and map out the licence, permit and government fees for your activity before you commit. We reply within one business day.