Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Overview

Crime rates are high in large centres such as downtown Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs operate, as well as near the border with the Dominican Republic, where criminal activities are widespread.

The number of violent incidents has been increasing since 2020, especially kidnappings in and around Port-au-Prince.

There has also been an increase in home invasions. These incidents generally occur in middle-class neighbourhoods, but have been increasing in number in affluent neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince and outside Pétion-Ville.

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, also occurs.

Criminality increases in the periods leading up to the holiday season in December, Carnival in February or March and the beginning of the school year in late August or early September.

Foreigners are viewed as wealthy and may arouse envy. To avoid becoming a target:

• don’t show signs of affluence
• avoid using your smartphone or camera in public
• be aware of your surroundings
• ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• remain cautious with new acquaintances offering friendship or hospitality
• never walk alone and avoid travelling after nightfall

Greater Port-au-Prince area

Several areas in greater Port-au-Prince continue to be dangerous due to criminal activity and kidnappings. Local authorities may have difficulties assisting during an emergency in these areas:

• Artibonite Central
• Bas-Delmas
• Bel Air
• Carrefour
• Carrefour Drouillard
• Champs-de-Mars
• Cité Soleil
• Croix-des-Bouquets
• Downtown Port-au-Prince
• Fontamara
• Jalousie
• Laboule 12
• Martissant
• Portail Léogane
• Road to the airport
• Santo
• Torcelle
• Toussant Brave

Police presence is not guaranteed in these areas and your personal safety might be at risk. Due to the local environment, security forces may not be able to provide emergency assistance in due time.

If you must travel to these areas, it’s imperative that you take appropriate security precautions:

• be vigilant at all times when moving about the city, towns and country
• ensure that your local contacts know when to expect you and your travel plans within these areas
• ask your local contacts to guide you in your travels
• keep windows closed and doors locked when travelling by car
• never use public transport of any kind
• ask the organizations, institutes or hosts that are taking care of you about the latest updates on the region to which you are travelling, since the security situation can change at any moment
• avoid going out after nightfall
• follow the advice of local authorities

Pétion-Ville

Armed robberies occur regularly in Pétion-Ville. In most cases, armed thieves on motorcycles attack their victims in broad daylight. Attacks have been increasing, particularly against motorists. They usually occur in traffic jams during peak hours.

• Be vigilant at all times while travelling
• Keep windows closed and doors locked when travelling by car

Petit-Goâve

Criminal gangs have committed robberies by erecting roadblocks along Route Nationale 2, between the Petit‑Goâve and Miragoane regions.

Toussaint Louverture International Airport

Thieves try to distract foreigners to steal their passports at Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

• Be cautious when claiming your luggage upon arrival
• Keep your valuables and identification on you
• Have your local contacts arrange for your pick-up from the airport
• Carry only small amounts of cash

Several shooting incidents have also occurred along the road to the airport. Gangs have committed armed robberies, particularly between Delmas 33 and the airport.

• Don’t resist if you’re threatened by robbers
• Be extremely vigilant when leaving the airport

Robberies in bank areas

Some criminals wait near banks, watching clients, and attempt to rob them when they leave.

There is also a higher risk of robbery from individuals using bank ATMs.

• Be extremely vigilant when entering or leaving a bank
• Only use ATMs inside a hotel or supermarket
• Deal directly with a teller if you are at a bank
• Avoid carrying large sums of money

Kidnapping

Kidnappings are common in Haiti.

Kidnappers target both local people and foreigners, including dual citizens who live or travel in Haiti, regardless of rank or social class. Since September 2020, hundreds of Canadians and other foreign nationals have been abducted. Missionaries, aid workers and children can become victims. Most of the victims are released in exchange for ransom. In some exceptional cases, however, victims have disappeared or have been killed.

• Remain alert to small groups of loiterers, especially near your residence
• Keep doors and windows secure at all times
• Instruct domestic staff to permit into your home only pre-authorized visitors whose identities have been verified
• Keep all visitors under close scrutiny
• Remain extremely vigilant wherever you are in the country

Demonstrations

Demonstrations and civil unrest take place frequently.

Due to ongoing political instability, some demonstrations have turned violent. Protesters have set up roadblocks across the country and blocked the access to the airport. In those circumstances, water, food and fuel shortages could occur.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

More about mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Women’s safety

Women travelling alone may be subject to forms of harassment, violence and verbal abuse.

Safe-travel guide for women

Service outages and supply shortages

Power outages are frequent, and shortages of essential supplies such as water and fuel occur.

Ensure that you plan adequately in case of outages and supply shortages.

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country due to:

• narrow and poorly maintained roads
• insufficient traffic signs, traffic lights and road markings
• high rates of driving while impaired, with the vehicle’s lights off
• poor vehicle maintenance
• inadequate street lighting

Heavy rains can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

If you need to travel within Haiti, consider hiring a driver through a reputable agency or hotel. If you must drive:

• always keep your fuel tanks at least half full, as disruptions of fuel supplies are frequent
• always carry a cell phone and a list of emergency contact numbers with you, as roadside assistance services are deficient
• keep in mind that cell phone coverage may be intermittent in some rural areas
• avoid driving at night or in bad weather, even in the city
• be cautious about abandoned vehicle beside the road
• watch out for pedestrians and stray animals on the road

Public transportation

Public transportation is unsafe and unreliable. Drivers don’t always respect traffic laws. Vehicles are often in poor condition or overloaded, which leads to serious accidents involving injuries and sometimes death.

You should avoid all public transportation in Haiti, but most specifically trucks converted into buses, known as “tap taps.”

Ferries

Ferry accidents occur and are often caused by poor safety practices or extreme weather conditions.

You should avoid ferry travel. If you choose to travel by ferry:

• make sure the vessel you are boarding is carrying appropriate safety equipment
• make sure that life jackets are provided for all passengers and accessible at all times
• avoid boarding vessels that appear overloaded or unseaworthy
• verify the safety standards of ferries with your tour operator

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

General information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Haitian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the expected duration of your stay in Haiti.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 90 days
Business visa: not required
Student visa: required
Work permit: required

Residency permit

You must obtain a residency permit (“permis de long séjour”) if you intend to stay for 90 days or more. This requirement doesn’t apply to Canadians of Haitian origin.

If you plan to extend your stay beyond 90 days and are a Canadian of non-Haitian origin, you must apply to the Haitian Immigration Service before the 90 days have expired. If you fail to do so, you will need an exit visa to leave the country.

Canadian investors, exporters/importers and workers must apply to the Haitian Immigration Service for a residency permit through their employer for stays of 6 months or more. You must obtain this document before leaving Canada.

How to obtain a visa - Embassy of Haiti in Canada (in French)

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay.

Children and travel

Learn about travel with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine Vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccines, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date regardless of your travel destination.

Some of these vaccines include: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines are right for you.  

Food and Water-borne Diseases

Travellers to any destination in the world can develop travellers' diarrhea from consuming contaminated water or food.

In some areas in the Caribbean, food and water can also carry diseases like cholera, hepatitis A, schistosomiasis and typhoid. Practise safe food and water precautions while travelling in the Caribbean. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!

Insects and Illness

In some areas in the Caribbean, certain insects carry and spread diseases like chikungunya, dengue fever, malaria, West Nile virus and Zika virus.

Travellers are advised to take precautions against bites.

Animals and Illness

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Some infections found in some areas in the Caribbean, like rabies, can be shared between humans and animals.

Person-to-Person Infections

Crowded conditions can increase your risk of certain illnesses. Remember to wash your hands often and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette to avoid colds, the flu and other illnesses.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV are spread through blood and bodily fluids; practise safer sex.

Medical services and facilities

Health care is inadequate throughout the country. It’s extremely limited and clinics and hospitals are easily overwhelmed.

Ambulances are also limited and may not have the basic required medical supplies onboard. As a result, emergency response is not guaranteed.

Physicians and hospitals generally expect immediate cash payment for care even if you have proof of valid travel health insurance. You will have to pay the full amount of the bill before your departure.

Medications sold in Haiti may be of inferior quality to those available in Canada. Pharmacies may carry expired medications while some medications may simply not be available.

Bring a sufficient supply of medications for the duration of your stay.

Medical evacuation can be very expensive and you may need it in case of serious illness or injury.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Legal fees can be very high and judicial procedures are slow. Some Canadians have experienced an over a year detention period before being sent to trial. Prison conditions are extremely difficult. Penal facilities are overcrowded, unsanitary and under-resourced.

Drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy legal proceedings, heavy jail sentences and fines.

Useful links

• Alcohol, drugs and travel
• Cannabis and international travel

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Haiti.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Haiti, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Haiti.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Haiti by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Haiti to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

LGBTQ2 travellers

Haitian law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex.

However, LGBTQ2 travellers could be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or sex characteristics.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Driving

You may use your Canadian driver’s licence to drive in Haiti for up to 3 months. For stays of 3 months or more, you will require a Haitian driver’s permit.

You should carry an international driving permit.

More about the International Driving Permit

Photography

People may feel exploited or insulted by being subjects of photography in poor or urban areas.

Obtain permission before photographing individuals.

Donations

Donations entering the country are subject to import rules. They could be seized and taxed in accordance with local legislation. This includes:

• clothing
• new or used material goods
• personal care products
• medications

Contact the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti or one of its consulates before sending goods to Haiti.

Money

The currency in Haiti is the Haitian gourde (HTG).

Although all prices should be in gourde since March 2018, they are still often quoted in Haitian dollars (5 gourdes = 1 Haitian dollar) or in U.S. dollars.

Canadian currency is not accepted. Most leading hotels accept major credit cards. You can also use your Canadian bank cards to access funds from some ATMs, but the withdrawal limit is much lower than in Canada. Haitian ATMs are unreliable and you should not depend upon them in emergency situations.

Make sure to have sufficient cash in case you’re unable to access an ATM or use your credit card.

Natural disasters and climate

Hurricane season

Hurricanes usually occur from mid-May to the end of November. During this period, even small tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes.

These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

If you decide to travel to Haiti during the hurricane season:

• know that you expose yourself to serious safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities

Useful links

• Hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings - United States National Hurricane Center

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Haiti is located in an active seismic zone. Earthquakes occur. Tsunamis can also affect coastal areas.

A tsunami can occur within minutes of a nearby earthquake. However, the risk of tsunami can remain for several hours following the first tremor. If you’re staying on the coast, familiarize yourself with the region’s evacuation plans in the event of a tsunami warning.

In the event of an earthquake:

• monitor local media for the latest information
• follow the instructions of local authorities

Useful links

• Earthquakes - What to Do?
• Tsunami alerts - U.S. Tsunami Warning System
• Latest earthquakes - U.S. Geological Survey