Travizory in Seychelles

When the health screening system was launched during COVID-19, the Government’s Platinum Committee established an authorization process for Seychellois citizens returning home. Initially, citizens had to request permission from the Public Health Authority (PHA) via email, but this quickly became overwhelming for the doctors. Travizory’s technology automated this process, making it quicker and safer, as all COVID certificates could be verified, minimising risk for the country. At the time, the Government decided that a fee should apply, even for citizens, and unfortunately, some people were not permitted to come home due to positive test results. To this day, many people wrongly associate Travizory with these policy decisions. 

Seychelles is a sovereign nation with complete control over its borders.  Travizory provides the software that Immigration uses to manage the borders more efficiently and effectively. Travizory has no input into Immigration policies and does not make decisions about who is permitted to enter the country. Only Immigration officers have the authority to approve or deny entry to the country. All questions, requirements, and rules relating to the Seychelles Electronic Border System (SEBS) are set by the Department of Immigration.Travizory employs Seychellois agents to provide 24/7 operational and technical support for SEBS. Their primary functions include:1) facilitating passenger screening at the airport using the SEBS Biometric Corridor and; 2) assisting travelers in completing or submitting their ETA applications.These agents have no authority to make immigration decisions. Their role is strictly limited to technical and customer support. Responsibility for these tasks and resources will be transferred to the Government as soon as requested, in line with the official transition plan.

All the money collected belongs to the Government of Seychelles, and the Government can decide how that is used. Part of the money is allocated to the running of the system, e.g., the purchase of hardware and ongoing maintenance services provided by Travizory. Separately, 100% of the voluntary donations made by tourists are sent directly to the Environment Trust Fund, managed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment. Monthly statements are provided to the Ministry of Finance, which has full audit access to all accounts associated with SEBS. 

The Travel Authorization is not a Visa. It grants permission to travel to Seychelles, giving Immigration and other border agencies advance information about who plans to travel. Many countries have a TA system in place, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Kenya, Thailand, and the UK, and we expect them to become more common over the next few years. Traveler reviews of Seychelles’ TA process are overwhelmingly positive, with 91% of travellers saying they are satisfied, and 93% saying that the TA fee would not deter them from visiting Seychelles again. 

The contract was subject to extensive negotiation and review at all levels of the government and underwent all appropriate procedures, in line with Seychelles’ procurement policies. The SEBS project was initially launched under the Faure administration during COVID-19, after sustained engagement through 2019/2020. The scope was expanded via a long-term contract under the current government. It is standard practice for a contract relating to national security to remain confidential, a copy is available to all Members of the National Assembly. 

Travizory has never had any Seychellois shareholders or owners. Our investors include leading European Venture Capital firms and high-profile family offices, none of which have any ties or links to Seychelles. We are audited annually by PwC, a reputable audit firm, and have no ties to any Seychellois beyond the staff that we employ.

Travizory is a locally registered company and fully complies with all of Seychelles' tax obligations. We have filed all required tax returns from 2020 through 2024, including those for goods and services (VAT) and all payroll and income taxes for our 47 employees in the Seychelles. We have prepaid all of our estimated business tax and are in regular contact with the Seychelles Revenue Commission. 

Travizory does not collect any data. Travizory provides a computer system used by the Government to collect and process traveler data. All data belongs to the Government of Seychelles. Travizory has no right to use, sell, or share any data. The Government of Seychelles controls who has access to the data.

Specific travel/tourism services are available for purchase on the SEBS platform, offering a convenient option for visitors. The Government controls all decisions about which businesses are made available on the platform. Today, the services available for purchase include: SIM Cards (Airtel / CWS), Bus Passes (SPTC), Biometric Pre-Enrolment (Eden Island VMA), and 24/7 Doctor Services (Seychelles Medical Services). Travizory has no vested interest in any of the companies or charities present on the platform. Any business interested in selling services on the platform should contact the Ministries of Internal Affairs and Transport for more information. 

Before SEBS, Seychelles was not receiving any API-PNR data from airlines and was not compliant with the ICAO mandate. Seychelles authorities only received information, such as the Passenger Manifest, in paper form after the flight had already landed in Seychelles. This was a security risk as risk-assessment was not done ahead of time.The ICAO (part of the UN) requires all member states to implement an API-PNR system to pre-screen travelers, but it does not provide the necessary technology to do so. Countries have to either buy or develop their own systems to be compliant. The technical system required to receive, filter, analyze, and process that complex data, connect the government to airlines, and cross-reference against security watchlists in real time, is extremely specialised, sophisticated and complex – the vast majority of self-built systems never launch due to limited technical knowledge and budget. With the installation of SEBS, Seychelles has become the first country in Africa to be fully compliant and has improved its scores in the ICAO audit.Many countries continue to struggle with compliance as they have limited budget to purchase such a system, or lack the technical expertise to build their own. Today, Seychelles benefits from a state-of-the-art system that enhances security, without using taxpayer money to fund it. 

Seychelles needs the SEBS platform, powered by Travizory, to receive and process the API-PNR data from airlines. All of the API-PNR data is generated by airlines during the booking and check-in process, and they then make the relevant data available to the countries that they operate in. To do this, they must integrate with the national API-PNR system – a specialised and complex IT system that is capable of receiving, processing and storing this data. API-PNR data is provided in real-time – there is no UN or international database of travellers – and is sent to country authorities at different intervals before arrival. Travizory is a leading provider of API-PNR systems to government globally. Our platform is one of the most advanced on the market, and has helped Seychelles to become compliant with the ICAO mandate on API-PNR. Without SEBS, which is powered by Travizory, Seychelles would not receive API-PNR data. Through SEBS, Seychelles can use the sophisticated technology that allows the government to consolidate, vet, and analyze API-PNR data in advance. This process closes the critical security gap that existed for years. Travizory is just the data processor, and operates in accordance with Seychelles National Data Protection Act, GDPR and SOC2 requirements. Travizory does not own, control or manage any of the API-PNR data that is received via SEBS. The Government of Seychelles has full ownership, oversight and management of the API-PNR data sent by airlines.