Arrival in Haiti

Before travelling to Haiti, check that the passport remains valid for at least six months after arrival and has at least one blank page for a stamp. Damaged passports or documents reported lost or stolen can lead to refusal. Keep a local hotel or private accommodation address and telephone number available because authorities or a consulate may request it for entry or visa purposes. The address also helps arrange a safer first stay. Tourists generally do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days, but the final entry decision belongs to Haitian authorities. Haiti charges a US$10 tourist or entry fee at airports, so keep a cash reserve. Visa requirements are nationality-specific. Current Embassy of Haiti information identifies the Dominican Republic, Panama, Colombia, Cuba, Syria, Libya, Iran, Vietnam and Yemen as nationalities requiring a visa, but the accompanying material is inconsistent about the number of countries. Confirm the requirement with a Haitian consulate before departure. A visa application normally requires an application form, two passport photographs, a letter explaining the purpose and duration of the stay, a hotel or private address with telephone number, a passport valid for at least six months, a flight reservation or return ticket and, where relevant, an employer letter. Apply at least one month before departure and check the separate consular fee for the visa type. iKat is Haiti’s digital entry and exit form. Complete it no later than 72 hours before travel and enter identity, passport, flight or land or sea transport, health and customs information accurately. Save the QR code and print it if practical. iKat applies to both entry and departure and is gradually replacing the paper arrival card. Health requirements can change with the departure country and the transport provider. Current information does not identify a routine vaccination requirement, but Haiti may request proof of yellow fever vaccination when the traveller arrives from a risk area. Check the latest guidance with the airline and a Haitian consulate shortly before departure. Medical providers may require payment in advance, and limited healthcare access makes travel insurance, an emergency contact plan and medical evacuation arrangements useful before arrival. Health data and related public-health administration involve the Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population, commonly abbreviated as MSPP. A minor should carry proof of birth and the relationship to accompanying adults. A child travelling with only one parent should also carry notarized consent from the other parent or proof of sole custody. At the airport, seaport or land border, the Direction de l’Immigration et de l’Émigration, or DIE, handles immigration within the Ministère de l’Intérieur et des Collectivités Territoriales, or MICT. After immigration, collect baggage and proceed through customs with the Administration Générale des Douanes, or AGD. Declare goods when required and do not carry prohibited items. Weapons and ammunition are prohibited, and violations can lead to severe penalties. Keep the iKat QR code accessible and answer officials truthfully. Plan the transfer from the arrival point to the first accommodation before departure. Security conditions in Haiti are severely affected by crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest and limited healthcare access; the US travel advisory currently uses its highest warning level. Do not hail a street taxi or an airport taxi. Ride-sharing services are not available. Arrange a driver through the hotel or another trusted provider, confirm the meeting procedure and share the travel details with a trusted contact. Public transport, tap-taps and motorcycle taxis require a high, current risk assessment. Confirm airport operations and the planned journey shortly before departure because conditions can change. The official currency is the Haitian gourde, or HTG. Card payments are limited outside tourist areas, cash is often necessary and ATMs can be unreliable and expose users to security risks. Carry funds in a safe way and avoid depending on one payment method. A non-Haitian citizen planning to stay longer may need a Permis de séjour, a DIE residence document issued for a specified period. The initial application generally includes a letter explaining the stay, a passport copy, an employer or sponsor guarantee covering repatriation, a medical certificate issued within the previous 30 days, two photographs, the latest boarding pass, a birth certificate with French translation, proof of at least HTG 7,500 or US$200 in funds, a current police certificate, an interview and the prescribed form. The fee is HTG 5,000 by cheque payable to the Trésor public. The published processing time is not specified. Confirm the current list, payment method and appointment procedure with the DIE before relying on these requirements.