National Assembly |08 July 2026

Minister Faure responds to Foreign Affairs matters

 Minister for Foreign Affairs & the Diaspora, Barry Faure, appeared before the National Assembly yesterday to answer questions on consular matters, the United States visa bond programme, diplomatic appointments, international agreements, and official overseas missions.

The first question came from Beau Vallon elected member Hon. John Hoareau, who asked the minister to confirm a statement allegedly made by President Patrick Herminie that at least 40 Seychellois were imprisoned in Pakistan and India, and to provide details on the circumstances of their convictions.

Minister Faure said that, based on research carried out so far, President Herminie had not made such a statement. He requested specific details regarding when and where the statement had allegedly been made, adding that without such information he was unable to comment further.

U.S. visa bond

Hon. Georges Romain, elected member for Anse Etoile, asked about the US $15,000 bond reportedly imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration on Seychellois travelling to the United States for tourism or business, and the government’s reaction.

Minister Faure explained that the ministry received an email dated March 18, 2026 from the U.S. embassy in Victoria, informing it of a new pilot visa programme to be introduced from April 2, 2026. Under the programme, Seychellois applying for tourist or business visas would be required to pay a bond ranging from US $5,000 to US $15,000 before a visa could be issued.

Applicants qualifying for B1/B2 tourist and business visas would have to post a US $15,000 bond before receiving their visa. These visas would be valid for a single entry over three months and would only allow entry through commercial airports.

Minister Faure noted that Seychelles was not the only country affected. Following receipt of the information, ministry officials met with U.S. chargé d’affaires Adham Loutfi, who explained that the policy was intended to assess whether requiring a bond would reduce visa overstays.

The minister said the ministry expressed disappointment, noting the difficulties the measure would create for Seychellois citizens. He added that the policy carried diplomatic implications despite longstanding cooperation between the two countries. Seychelles requested removal from the list of affected countries but was informed that no mechanism for removal had yet been communicated.

Minister Faure clarified that the measure would not affect student, diplomatic, or official visas. He added that the ministry had received numerous concerns from the public and had formally written to the U.S. embassy seeking further clarification, but no response had yet been received.

U.S. embassy closure in Mauritius

Hon. Andy Labonte, elected member for English River, asked whether the ministry had investigated why the U.S. embassy in Mauritius, which also covers Seychelles, had withdrawn its presence so quickly and what disadvantages this presented.

Minister Faure replied that the ministry was not aware that the U.S. embassy in Port Louis had closed.

Newly appointed ambassadors

Hon. Sathya Naidu, elected member for St Louis, asked when ambassadors appointed six months ago would be posted to their respective countries.

Minister Faure explained that ambassadors were awaiting agrément from host countries, as required under international diplomatic procedures. He said ambassadors cannot take up their posts immediately after appointment until diplomatic clearance is granted.

He noted that new embassy offices would only need to be established in Mauritius and Cuba, should plans to reopen the embassy there proceed. Offices already exist in other countries. Agrément has been received for Mauritius, where Ambassador Nicholas Prea is preparing to assume his post, while Ambassador Andre Pool has also received agrément for Cuba.

Chinese embassy

Hon. Naidu also raised longstanding concerns regarding the property of the Chinese embassy in Seychelles, asking about dangerous trees posing risks to neighbouring properties and the status of land negotiations with private landowners.

Minister Faure said China had confirmed that, under its 2026 budget, it would undertake works to remove dangerous trees identified by government authorities. Regarding land, he said the embassy had informed the ministry that no negotiations were taking place, as it maintained full ownership of its properties at St Louis and Sans Soucis.

International agreements

Hon. Georges Romain asked how many memoranda of understanding (MoUs) had been signed in the past seven months and which sectors would benefit.

Minister Faure said 26 MoUs had been signed since the beginning of the year, in addition to 17 agreements and six miscellaneous legal instruments, bringing the total to 49. He said the agreements reflected government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and covered a wide range of sectors, contributing to international cooperation, economic and social development, and strengthening Seychelles’ global presence. He also highlighted several recently amended agreements.

Overseas missions

During questions without notice, Hon. Gervais Henrie asked how many overseas trips the minister had undertaken this year, which countries he had visited, and the purpose of those missions.

Minister Faure said he had undertaken 14 overseas visits so far this year, including state visits, accompanying the President and Vice-President to international summits, and official working missions at the invitation of friendly countries. He added that he always sought to meet counterparts to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The ministry spent R625,935 on the 14 missions, but Minister Faure stressed that the benefits derived by the country far exceeded the investment.