Seychelles - The Facts
The tropical paradise islands of the Seychelles are synonymous with holiday luxury and indulgence. Beyond the potential as a holiday destination, the islands are also an offshore jurisdiction opening many career opportunities to working professionals considering relocation.
An archipelago nation of 115 islands located in the Indian Ocean northeast of Madagascar and approximately 1600 km east of Kenya with the capital and largest city being Victoria. Previously a British territory, Seychelles reached independence from the UK in 1976. Flight duration can be up to 12 hours.
The Seychelles are constantly hot and humid, with an average annual temperature of 84°F (29°C), and the average sea temperature is the same, seldom dropping below 81°F (27°C). The heat is usually tempered by sea breezes. The islands sit outside of the hurricane belt so storms are rare. Tropical rains fall during January and February but quite often when it rains on one side of the island; it is clear on the other.
The Seychelles is a low tax jurisdictions. There are several firms that have established themselves on the island to the extent that the Seychelles International Business Authority has been established to oversee the growing offshore industry. Seychelles is the smallest nation in the world issuing its own currency.
Living and working in the Seychelles
As with many island offshore jurisdictions, professionals can expect to work in smaller teams but still in some cases, for sizable organisations. Due to the concise nature of the majority of teams, employees can expect to have a lot more contact with personnel from across a particular business and with external clients. Due to the size of the islands, commuting distances are negligible which mean there is more time to enjoy outside work pursuits.
French and English are the most widely spoken languages in the Seychelles. The islands have a thriving sporting and social community and it is easy to make friends in a place where there are so many like minded people keen on watersports, socialising and their careers. For environment enthusiasts, the Seychelles also has a fragile island ecosystem and is home to flora and fauna species unique to anywhere else in the world.
