Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Overview

The security situation remains extremely volatile in Haiti. Gang violence is high in Port-au-Prince and in Artibonite Department. There are frequent clashes between gangs and security forces. Armed gangs control most of Port-au-Prince. Vigilante groups violently attack and kill alleged gang members.

Police have very limited resources to respond and help. If you are currently in Haiti, your personal safety is at risk. If you can do so safely, consider leaving the country by commercial means.

If you are in Haiti:

• shelter in a safe place until the situation has stabilized
• ensure that you have essential supplies, including food, water and fuel
• ensure that your passport and other travel documents are up-to-date and secure at all times
• limit your movements, if you are unable to shelter in place
• avoid crossing road blockades, even if they appear unattended
• maintain a low profile when going outside
• always exercise extreme caution

Violent crime

Violent crime is common, including:

• kidnappings
• gender-based violence
• murders
• armed robberies
• car jackings

Home invasions are frequent. These incidents generally occur in middle-class neighbourhoods and in affluent neighbourhoods in Port-au-Prince and outside Pétion-Ville.

Criminality often occurs in certain periods such as:

• the holiday season in December
• carnival in February or March
• 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
• be aware of your surroundings at all times
• keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place
• remain cautious with new acquaintances offering friendship or hospitality
• never walk alone and avoid travelling after dark

When a state of emergency is in effect, security forces have increased rights to:

• restrict freedom of movement
• conduct searches and seizures
• confiscate unregistered vehicles
• detain persons of interest

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
• Tabarre
• 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

Main highways and roads

Armed gangs have set up roadblocks to commit robberies and demand payments along Route Nationale 2 from Martissant to Miragoane.

Armed gangs are fighting to control the main highways connecting Port-au-Prince to northern departments.

If you must drive:

• limit your movements
• avoid crossing road blockades, even if they appear unattended
• allow extra time to reach your destination

Airports

There are two international airports in the country, which can be difficult to access due to the highly volatile security situation.

You are strongly advised against road travel from Port-au-Prince to Cap-Haitian, given the presence of gangs and the highly volatile security situation. You may need to change your travel plans with little notice.

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

Border with the Dominican Republic

The security environment is highly volatile at the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Criminal activities are widespread near the border with the Dominican Republic. Armed gangs operate along the border controlling many of the roads leading to the border.

Border areas with the Dominican Republic are subject to gang operations, including the following areas:

• Malpasse
• Ouanaminthe

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

Kidnappings

Kidnappings are common.

Kidnappers target both local people and foreigners, including dual citizens who live or travel in Haiti, regardless of rank or social class. 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

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Women’s safety

Crimes committed against women frequently occur in Haiti. Reports of rape and assault against women and children have increased. Attackers sometimes act in groups.

Advice for women travellers

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.

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 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 more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

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

Health

Routine vaccines

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

Some of these vaccinations 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 may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•  washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Health care is inadequate throughout the country. There are few hospitals, and many are closed. Clinics and hospitals that are open are easily overwhelmed. Hospital services can be disrupted by gang violence

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.

Health and safety outside Canada

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.

Drugs, alcohol and 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.

Dual citizens

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 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 Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

2SLGBTQI+ persons

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

However, 2SLGBTQI+ persons 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

In order to fight insecurity, local authorities have temporarily forbidden to drive vehicles with tinted windows throughout the country.

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.

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. You could face serious safety risks during a hurricane.

If you decide to travel to a coastal area during the hurricane season:

• 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

• Severe storms outside Canada
• Large-scale emergencies outside Canada
• Active storm tracking and hurricane watches and warnings – U.S. National Hurricane Center

Rainy season  

The rainy season extends from April to June and from October to November. It can lead to severe flooding.

Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable due to mudslides and landslides. Bridges, buildings, and infrastructure may be damaged. 

• Monitor local media for the latest updates, including those on road conditions 
• Stay away from flooded areas 
• Monitor weather reports 
• Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders 

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