If you are a foreigner searching for new places, cultures, countries, and people to see, you must go and visit Haiti. But before traveling, check to see whether you may need a Haiti visa.
Who Needs a Visa for Haiti?
Citizens from one of the countries listed below need a visa to visit and enter the Republic of Haiti:
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Iran
- Libya
- Palestine
- Panama
- Syria
- Vietnam
- Yemen
*Everyone else can enter and visit Haiti for 90 days with just a valid passport. However, they must finish a fee payment of $10 at the airport for a tourist fee.
Important: Even citizens from one of the countries listed above may visit Haiti for 90 days without a visa; this applies if they are holders of a valid United States, Canadian, Schengen visa or a residence permit, or if they have a Haiti origin.
How to Apply for a Haiti Visa?
Follow these steps to apply for a Haitian visa:
- Book a visa appointment. You can book a Haiti visa appointment at the:
- Embassy/consulate of Haiti in your home country.
- Visa agency of Haiti in your home country.
- Embassy/consulate of any other country that represents Haiti’s interests.
- Gather all the documents. See ‘Haiti Visa Requirements’ for further information and submit them at the nearest places mentioned above in your home country.
- Wait for an answer. You will receive a response from the embassy/consulate of Haiti within three working days. However, the processing time can be extended depending on your case, when you submit the documents, etc.
However, make sure that you research where you can submit your Haiti visa application if there is no embassy/consulate of Haiti in your country.
Haiti Visa Requirements
Here are all the documents you must submit when applying for a Haitian visa:
- Valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return date and in good condition.
- Two passport-sized photos. Your photos must be recently taken, at least within the last six months. They must be in colors and taken on a light background.
- Application form. You must complete the Haiti application form and sign it at the end.
- Cover letter. Your visa cover letter is a document that explains the purpose of your visit to Haiti. It must include the duration of your stay in Haiti, the places you plan to visit, etc.
- A return flight ticket. Your return flight ticket is a document that proves that you will return to your home country after your visa expires.
- Accommodation proof. The accommodation proof is a document that shows that you have a place to stay while in Haiti. This document can be a rental agreement, a hotel reservation, or an invitation letter. The invitation letter is a letter issued from a family member or a friend living in Haiti.
- Bank statement. The bank statement is a document issued from your bank, and it must prove that you are financially stable and can financially support yourself while in Haiti.
- Letter from your current employer. This document must prove that you have a job waiting for you after you finish your visit to Haiti.
- International travel health insurance. Make sure you submit a document proving that you have valid travel health insurance that must cover any medical expenses while in Haiti.
Duration of a Haiti Visa
The duration of a Haiti visa depends on the purpose of your visit. A Haiti tourist visa is issued for three months for different purposes such as:
- Visits.
- Tourism.
- Business meetings.
- Health controls.
- School trips, etc.
If you want to stay longer than three months in Haiti, apply for a Permis de Sejour. The Permis de Sejour is a residence permit issued for three years.
Haiti Visa Fees
You will find listed below all the Haitian visa and residence permit fees:
- $25 for a tourist visa.
- $100 for an immigrant or a residence permit.
The Haiti Permis de Sejour is only payable in Haiti and is only accepted by ‘Chèque de Direction.’ The payment can be made only by order of ‘Trésor Public.’
- 5000.00 Gourdes (approx. $43) for a one-time application for Permis De Sejour.
- 2500.00 Gourdes (approx. $21) for a renewal of the Permis De Sejour.
- 1250.00 Gourdes (approx. $10) for a student Permis De Sejour.
Residence Permit for Haiti
Everyone who wants to stay for over three months in Haiti must apply for a Permis De Sejour. A Permis De Sejour allows its holder to stay in Haiti legally for three years.
To apply for a Permis De Sejour, you must obtain the following documents:
- Two passport-sized photos.
- A criminal record.
- Bank statement.
- Medical record.
- Fingerprints.
- A cover letter.
- Photocopy of the first three pages of your passport.
A Permis De Sejour is issued for purposes such as:
- Study.
- Work.
- Family reunion.
- Retirement.
- Investment.
Interesting Facts About Haiti
Here are some interesting facts about Haiti:
- Haiti was discovered in 1492 by Christopher Columbus.
- The country is known as one of the mounties countries in the Caribbean.
- The official language in Haiti is French and Creole.
- Cock fighting is an official and legal sport in Haiti.
- If you want to get divorced in Haiti, you can do that even if only you or your partner shows up. Meaning that your divorce can still occur.
- One of the largest industries in Haiti is tourism.
- Haiti’s currency is named after a plant in Haiti called Gourd.
- Vudu is known as a religion in Haiti.
- Haiti’s flag was inspired by the flag of France.