{"slug":"haiti","title":"Haiti travel advice","updated_at":"2025-12-10T13:57:03+00:00","reviewed_at":"2025-12-10T13:57:03Z","change_description":"New information about dual nationals returning to the UK (‘Entry requirements’ page).","web_url":"https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/haiti","entry_requirements_html":"<p>This information is for people travelling on a full <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/types-of-british-nationality\">‘British citizen’ passport</a> from the UK who choose to travel against <abbr title=\"Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office\">FCDO</abbr> advice. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Haiti’s current rules for the most common types of travel.</p>\n\n<p>The authorities in Haiti set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/foreign-embassies-in-the-uk\">Haitian Embassy in the UK</a>. </p>\n\n<h2 id=\"passport-validity-requirements\">Passport validity requirements</h2>\n\n<p>Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.</p>\n\n<p>Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport/renew\">Renew your passport</a> if you need to.</p>\n\n<p>You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"dual-nationals\">Dual nationals</h2>\n\n<p>When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/browse/abroad/passports\">British passport</a> or <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/right-of-abode/apply-for-a-certificate-of-entitlement\">certificate of entitlement</a>. See <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/dual-citizenship\">Dual citizenship</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"visa-requirements\">Visa requirements</h2>\n\n<p>You do not need a visa to visit Haiti for up to 90 days. </p>\n\n<p>To stay longer (or to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Haitian government’s entry requirements.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"applying-for-a-visa\">Applying for a visa</h3>\n\n<p>For more information about how to apply for a visa, call the Haitian Embassy in London: 0203 771 1427.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"entry-tax\">Entry tax</h2>\n\n<p>Tourists must pay an entry fee of 10 US dollars in cash on arrival.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"departure-tax\">Departure tax</h2>\n\n<p>Tourists must pay a departure tax of 55 US dollars. For most international flights, this is included in the price of the ticket. Check this with your airline or tour operator before you travel. If the departure tax is not included in your air fare, make sure you have enough US dollars or local currency on departure. </p>\n\n<h2 id=\"vaccine-requirements\">Vaccine requirements</h2>\n\n<p>To enter Haiti, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://nathnacyfzone.org.uk/factsheet/65/countries-with-risk-of-yellow-fever-transmission\">country listed as a transmission risk</a>.</p>\n\n<p>For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/country/100/haiti#Vaccine_Recommendations\">TravelHealthPro’s Haiti guide</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"customs-rules\">Customs rules</h2>\n\n<p>There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Haiti. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.</p>\n\n","safety_html":"<h2 id=\"terrorism\">Terrorism</h2>\n\n<p>There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.</p>\n\n<p>UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.counterterrorism.police.uk/runhidetell/\">staying safe</a> and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reduce-your-risk-from-terrorism-while-abroad\">how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad</a>.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"terrorism-in-haiti\">Terrorism in Haiti</h3>\n\n<p>Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Haiti, attacks cannot be ruled out.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"haiti-dominican-republic-border-closure\">Haiti-Dominican Republic border closure</h2>\n\n<p>The border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is closed to travellers. The status of the border remains subject to change at short notice. Monitor local media for updates.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"political-situation\">Political situation</h2>\n\n<p>There are sometimes violent demonstrations, protests and roadblocks. Stay away from political rallies and crowds. Public transport is often disrupted because of blocked roads and security incidents, which can lead to fuel and food shortages.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"crime\">Crime</h2>\n\n<p>If you choose to travel to or stay in Haiti against <abbr title=\"Foreign, Commonwealth &amp; Development Office\">FCDO</abbr> advice, check local media and make sure you have contingency plans in place. Be vigilant at all times, tell family and friends about your travel plans and carefully consider your movements in advance, taking the safest routes available.</p>\n\n<p>The security situation is unpredictable and crime levels are high. There is usually an increase in crime leading up to the:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>holiday season in December</li>\n  <li>Carnival (in February or March)</li>\n  <li>beginning of the school year (late August/early September)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"criminal-and-gang-activity\">Criminal and gang activity</h3>\n\n<p>Theft, including armed robbery, purse snatching and pickpocketing, is common in Haiti. Criminal and gang activity is especially common in:</p>\n\n<ul>\n  <li>Bel Air</li>\n  <li>Carrefour</li>\n  <li>Cité Soleil</li>\n  <li>downtown Port-au-Prince</li>\n  <li>Martissant</li>\n  <li>Petion-Ville</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>People using cash machines have been targeted by criminals. Gangs, often on motorbikes, target people making withdrawals or leaving banks, particularly those travelling on foot. Take care when withdrawing money at public ATMs and use supermarkets or hotels with security guards.  </p>\n\n<p>Armed robbery is common. Victims are often attacked in the daytime by armed thieves on motorcycles. Some attacks have resulted in fatalities. Single women drivers in traffic have been targeted.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"criminal-kidnaps\">Criminal kidnaps</h3>\n\n<p>There is a high threat of criminal kidnaps in Haiti. Incidents of criminal kidnap can occur in any part of the country, at any time.</p>\n\n<p>Criminal groups often use firearms and extreme violence to kidnap victims. Kidnappers regularly target vehicles, using other vehicles or improvised barriers to stop traffic and snatch individuals at gunpoint. Public and mass transit services are targeted in addition to private vehicles. These can be both opportunistic or targeted towards specific individuals.  </p>\n\n<p>There is a high threat particularly throughout the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and across major road routes entering/leaving the city.</p>\n\n<p>Criminal groups may target whole communities or individuals, including children. Missionary and humanitarian aid workers are viewed as legitimate targets. If you’re kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.</p>\n\n<p>Most victims have been released after the payment of a ransom. In some exceptional cases, however, victims have disappeared or been killed.</p>\n\n<p>Be alert to the threat of kidnap and pay attention to local government announcements and media reporting. Be vigilant across the country, remaining alert to small groups, especially near where you’re staying.</p>\n\n<p>Keep doors and windows secure at all times and be wary of inviting anyone into your residence who you do not know or were not expecting. Security guards are recommended at residential properties.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"laws-and-cultural-differences\">Laws and cultural differences</h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"illegal-drugs-and-prison-sentences\">Illegal drugs and prison sentences</h3>\n\n<p>Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect lengthy legal proceedings, jail sentences and fines.</p>\n\n<p>Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry items through customs for anyone else.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re caught in possession of drugs or suspected of drug trafficking, you may be arrested and jailed for weeks or months before appearing in court. Prison conditions in Haiti are very poor.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"personal-id\">Personal ID</h3>\n\n<p>You should always carry proof of your identity. Keep a copy of the photo page of your passport and visa stamp separately in a safe place.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"lgbt\">LGBT+</h3>\n\n<p>Local attitudes towards the LGBT+ community are mostly conservative throughout the Caribbean. In Haiti, same-sex sexual activity is legal. However, the attitude of many Haitians to the LGBT+ community is hostile.</p>\n\n<p>LGBT+ travellers should be mindful of local attitudes and be aware that showing affection in public could result in unwanted and negative attention.</p>\n\n<p>It is uncommon for opposite or same-sex couples to show affection in public.</p>\n\n<p>Read more <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-foreign-travel-advice\">advice for LGBT+ travellers</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"transport-risks\">Transport risks</h2>\n\n<h3 id=\"road-travel\">Road travel</h3>\n\n<p>Road travel is highly dangerous. Armed carjacking is common and criminal groups often use improvised road blocks to extort or kidnap motorists.</p>\n\n<p>If you are planning to drive a hire car or a UK vehicle, see information on <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad\">driving abroad</a>.</p>\n\n<p>You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Haiti for up to 90 days. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/exchange-paper-driving-licence\">update it to a photocard licence</a> or get the <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit\">correct version of the international driving permit (<abbr title=\"international driving permit\">IDP</abbr>)</a>.</p>\n\n<p>After 90 days you’ll need an <abbr title=\"international driving permit\">IDP</abbr>.  </p>\n\n<h2 id=\"extreme-weather-and-natural-disasters\">Extreme weather and natural disasters</h2>\n\n<p>Basic services such as transport and communications are likely to be severely disrupted if a major disaster happens.</p>\n\n<p>Flash floods and landslides happen regularly.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"hurricanes\">Hurricanes</h3>\n\n<p>The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November. During this period, tropical storms can quickly develop into major hurricanes. Monitor local and international weather updates from the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/\">National Hurricane Center</a> and follow the advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders.</p>\n\n<p>See <a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/tropical-cyclones\">extreme weather and natural hazards</a> for information about how to prepare, and what to do if there is a warning of a hurricane.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"earthquakes\">Earthquakes</h3>\n\n<p>Earthquakes are a risk in Haiti. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes\">what to do before, during and after an earthquake</a>.</p>\n\n<p>There is a risk of tsunamis if a major earthquake happens close to shore, follow the instructions of the local authorities.</p>\n\n","customs_snippets":["Tourists must pay an entry fee of 10 US dollars in cash on arrival.","If the departure tax is not included in your air fare, make sure you have enough US dollars or local currency on departure.","You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.","People using cash machines have been targeted by criminals.","Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry items through customs for anyone else."]}
