Moving to Haiti: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

11,067,777

Population - note

Note: Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population Growth Rate

0.99%

Urban Population

53.400000

Population in Major Urban Areas

PORT-AU-PRINCE (capital) 2.207 million

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Age Structure

33.390000

Median Age

21.900000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

23

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

2.88

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

34.5%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

34.5%

Mean Age for Mother's First Birth (age 25-49)

22.7

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.7

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

1.010000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

-5.5

Ethnic Groups

Black 95%, mulatto and white 5%

Nationality Noun

Haitian(s)

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Literacy - total population

52.9%

Literacy - male

54.8%

Literacy - female

51.2%

Literacy Definition

Age 15 and over can read and write

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

0.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

62.850000

Infant Mortality Rate

50.920000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

50.920000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

350

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.25

Hospital Bed Density - beds/1,000 population

1.3

Health Expenditures - percent of GDP

7.9%

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

High

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

7.9%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

74.600000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

31.000000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

18.9%

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Economic Overview

Haiti is a free market economy with low labor costs and tariff-free access to the US for many of its exports.

Two-fifths of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming, which remains vulnerable to damage from frequent natural disasters.

Poverty, corruption, vulnerability to natural disasters, and low levels of education for much of the population represent some of the most serious impediments to Haiti’s economic growth.

Remittances are the primary source of foreign exchange, equivalent to more than a quarter of GDP, and nearly double the combined value of Haitian exports and foreign direct investment.

Currently the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with close to 60% of the population living under the national poverty line, Haiti’s GDP growth rose to 5.5% in 2011 as the Haitian economy began recovering from the devastating January 2010 earthquake that destroyed much of its capital city, Port-au-Prince, and neighboring areas.

However, growth slowed to below 2% in 2015 and 2016 as political uncertainty, drought conditions, decreasing foreign aid, and the depreciation of the national currency took a toll on investment and economic growth.

Hurricane Matthew, the fiercest Caribbean storm in nearly a decade, made landfall in Haiti on 4 October 2016, with 140 mile-per-hour winds, creating a new humanitarian emergency.

An estimated 2.1 million people were affected by the category 4 storm, which caused extensive damage to crops, houses, livestock, and infrastructure across Haiti’s southern peninsula.

US economic engagement under the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA) and the 2008 Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement Act (HOPE II) have contributed to an increase in apparel exports and investment by providing duty-free access to the US.

The Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act of 2010 extended the CBTPA and HOPE II until 2020, while the Trade Preferences Extension Act of 2015 extended trade benefits provided to Haiti in the HOPE and HELP Acts through September 2025.

Apparel sector exports in 2016 reached approximately $850 million and account for over 90% of Haitian exports and more than 10% of the GDP.

Investment in Haiti is hampered by the difficulty of doing business and weak infrastructure, including access to electricity.

Haiti's outstanding external debt was cancelled by donor countries following the 2010 earthquake, but has since risen to $2.6 billion as of December 2017, the majority of which is owed to Venezuela under the PetroCaribe program.

Although the government has increased its revenue collection, it continues to rely on formal international economic assistance for fiscal sustainability, with over 20% of its annual budget coming from foreign aid or direct budget support.

Industries

Sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly industries based on imported parts

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.5%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$31,620,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$1,800.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

2.5%

GDP - official exchange rate

$8,797,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 103.9% Government
• consumption: 0% Investment in fixed
• capital: 29.5% Investment in
• inventories: -5.3% Exports of goods and
• services: 14% Imports of goods and
• services: -42.1%
• Note: figure for household consumption also includes government consumption

GDP by Sector- agriculture

23.6%

GDP by Sector- Industry

20.1%

GDP by Sector- services

56.3%

Industrial Growth Rate

-4.8%

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Inflation Rate

4.7%

Exchange Rate per US Dollar

Gourde (HTG)

Currency Name and Code

Haitian Gourde (HTG) and US Dollar (USD)

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

9.2%

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Labor Force

4,810,000

Unemployment Rate

40.6%

Unemployment - note

Widespread unemployment and underemployment

more than two-thirds of the labor force do not have formal jobs

Major Industries

Sugar refining, flour milling, textiles, cement, light assembly industries based on imported parts

Agriculture Products

Coffee, mangoes, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum, wood

Population Below Poverty Line

80%

Child Labor - # of children ages 5-14

2,587,205

Child Labor - % of children ages 5-14

21%

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Labor Force By Occupation- agriculture

38.1%

Labor Force By Occupation- industry

11.5%

Labor Force By Occupation- services

50.4%

Annual Budget

$900,000,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-5.4%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

24%

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Full Country Name

Republic of Haiti

Country Name

Haiti

Local - Long

Republique d'Haiti/Repiblik d Ayiti

Local - Short

Haiti (French)/ Ayiti (Haitian Creole)

Etymology- history of name

The native Taino name means "Land of High Mountains" and was originally applied to the entire island of Hispaniola

Independence

1 January 1804 (from France)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 1 January (1804)

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Government Type

Semi-presidential republic

Constitution

• History: Many previous; latest adopted 10 March 1987, with substantial revisions in June 2012; note – the constitution is commonly referred to as the “amended 1987 constitution”
• Amendments: Proposed by the executive branch or by either the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies; consideration of proposed amendments requires support by at least two-thirds majority of both houses; passage requires at least two-thirds majority of the membership present and at least two-thirds majority of the votes cast; approved amendments enter into force after installation of the next president of the republic; constitutional articles on the democratic and republican form of government cannot be amended; amended many times, last in 2012

Legal System:

Civil law system strongly influenced by Napoleonic Code

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President (vacant)
• head of government: Prime Minister Alix Didier FILS-AIMÉ (since 10 November 2024)
• cabinet: Cabinet chosen by the prime minister in consultation with the president; parliament must ratify the Cabinet and prime minister's governing policy election/appointment
• process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a single non-consecutive term) most recent election
• date: 20 November 2016
• election results: 2016: Jovenel MOÏSE elected president in first round; percent of vote - Jovenel MOÏSE (PHTK) 55.6%, Jude CELESTIN (LAPEH) 19.6%, Jean-Charles MOÏSE (PPD) 11%, Maryse NARCISSE (FL) 9%; other 4.8% 2011: Michel MARTELLY elected president in second round; percent of vote in second round - Michel MARTELLY (Peasant's Response) 68%, Mirlande MANIGAT (RDNP) 32% expected date of next
• election: elections were delayed in 2022 and 2023 and have not been rescheduled
• note: former Prime Minister Ariel HENRY, who had assumed executive responsibilities following the assassination of President MOÏSE on 7 July 2021, resigned on 24 April 2024; a nine-member Presidential Transitional Council, equipped with presidential powers, was sworn in on 25 April 2024 and will remain in place until 7 February 2026

Legislative Branch:

• Description: Bicameral legislature or le Corps legislatif ou le Parlement consists of: Senate or le Sénat de la République (30 seats; 0 filled as of January 2023); members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 6-year terms (2-term limit) with one-third of the membership renewed every 2 years) Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des députés (119 seats; 0 filled as of January 2023; members directly elected in single-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; members serve 4-year terms; no term limits);
• Note: when the 2 chambers meet collectively it is known as the National Assembly or L'Assemblée nationale and is convened for specific purposes spelled out in the constitution
• Elections:
• Senate - last held on 20 November 2016 with runoff on 29 January 2017 (next originally scheduled for 27 October 2019 but postponed until political and civil society actors agree to a consensual process)
• Chamber of Deputies - last held on 9 August 2015 with runoff on 25 October 2015 and 20 November 2016 (next originally scheduled for 27 October 2019 but postponed until political and civil society actors agree to a consensual process)
• Election Results: - Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA;
• composition - men 10, women 0, percent of women 0%
• Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA;
• Composition: NA
• Note: the Senate and Chamber of Deputies as of January 2023 was not functional

Judicial Branch:

• office: Judges appointed by the president from candidate lists submitted by the Senate of the National Assembly; note - Article 174 of Haiti's constitution states that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for 10 years, whereas Article 177 states that judges of the Supreme Court are appointed for life
• Subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal; Courts of First Instance; magistrate's courts; land, labor, and children's courts
• Note: The Superior Council of the Judiciary or Conseil Superieur du Pouvoir Judiciaire is a 9-member body charged with the administration and oversight of the judicial branch of government

Regions or States:

10 departments (departements, singular - departement); Artibonite, Centre, Grand'Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, Nord-Ouest, Ouest, Sud, Sud-Est

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Alternative League for Haitian Progress and Emancipation (Ligue Alternative pour le Progres et l’Emancipation Haitienne) or LAPEH [Jude CELESTIN]
• Christian Movement for a New Haiti or MCNH or Mochrenha [Luc MESADIEU]
• Christian National Movement for the Reconstruction of Haiti or UNCRH [Jean Chavannes JEUNE]
• Combat of Peasant Workers to Liberate Haiti (Konbit Travaye Peyizan Pou Libere Ayiti) or Kontra Pep La [Jean William JEANTY]
• Convention for Democratic Unity or KID [Evans PAUL]
• Cooperative Action to Rebuild Haiti or KONBA [Jean William JEANTY]
• December 16 Platform or Platfom 16 Desanm [Dr. Gerard BLOT]
• Democratic Alliance Party or ALYANS [Evans PAUL] (coalition includes KID and PPRH)
• Democratic Centers' National Council or CONACED [Osner FEVRY]
• Democratic and Popular Sector (Secteur Democratique et Populaire) or SDP [Nenel CASSY, Andre MICHEL, and Marjorie MICHEL]
• Democratic Unity Convention (Konvansyon Inite Demokratik) or KID [Enold JOSEPH]
• Dessalinian Patriotic and Popular Movement or MOPOD [Jean Andre VICTOR]
• Effort and Solidarity to Create an Alternative for the People or ESKAMP [Joseph JASME]
• Fanmi Lavalas or FL [Maryse NARCISSE and former President Jean Bertrand ARISTIDE]
• Forward (En Avant) [Jerry TARDIEU]
• Fusion of Haitian Social Democrats (Fusion Des Sociaux-Démocrates Haïtiens) or FHSD [Edmonde Supplice BEAUZILE]
• G18 Policy Platform (Plateforme Politique G18) [Joseph WUILSON]
• Haiti in Action (Ayiti An Aksyon Haiti's Action) or AAA [Youri LATORTUE]
• Haitian Tet Kale Party (Parti Haitien Tet Kale) or PHTK [Line Sainphaar BALTHAZAR]
• Independent Movement for National Reconciliation or MIRN [Luc FLEURINORD]
• Lavni Organization or LAVNI [Yves CRISTALIN]
• Lod Demokratik [Jean Renel SENATUS]
• Love Haiti (Renmen Ayiti) or RA [Jean Henry CEANT]
• MTV Ayiti [Reginald BOULOS]
• National Consortium of Haitian Political Parties (Consortium National des Partis Politiques Haitiens) or CNPPH [Jeantel JOSEPH]
• National Shield Network (Reseau Bouclier National) [Victor PROPHANE and Garry BODEAU]
• Organization of the People's Struggle (Oganizasyon Pep Kap Lite) or OPL [Edgard LEBLANC]
• Patriotic Unity (Inite Patriyotik) or Inite [Sorel YACINTHE and Levaillant Louis JEUNE]
• Platform Pitit Desalin (Politik Pitit Dessalines) or PPD [Jean-Charles MOISE]
• Political Party for Us All or Bridge (Pont) or Pou Nou Tout [Jean Marie CHERESTAL]
• Popular Patriotic Dessalinien Movement (Mouvement Patriotique Populaire Dessalinien) or MOPOD [Jean Andre VICTOR]
• Rally of Progressive National Democrats (Rassemblement des Democrates Nationaux Progressistes) or RDNP [Eric JEAN-BAPTISTE]
• Respe (Respect) [Charles Henry BAKER]
• Women and Families Political Parties (Defile Pati Politik Fanm Ak Fanmi) [Marie Rebecca GUILLAUME]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: No Citizenship by descent
• only: At least one parent must be a native-born citizen of Haiti Dual citizenship
• recognized: Yes Residency requirement for
• naturalization: 5 years

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Capital Name

Port-au-Prince

Capital - geographic coordinate

18 32 N, 72 20 W

Capital Time Difference

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight Savings Time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

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International Organization Participation:

• ACP
• AOSIS
• Caricom
• CD
• CDB
• CELAC
• FAO
• G-77
• IADB
• IAEA
• IBRD
• ICAO
• ICC (NGOs)
• ICRM
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• ILO
• IMF
• IMO
• Interpol
• IOC
• IOM
• IPU
• ITSO
• ITU
• ITUC (NGOs)
• LAES
• MIGA
• NAM
• OAS
• OIF
• OPANAL
• OPCW
• PCA
• Petrocaribe
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UNIDO
• Union Latina
• UNWTO
• UPU
• WCO
• WFTU (NGOs)
• WHO
• WIPO
• WMO
• WTO

International Law Organization Participation:

Accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction; non-party state to the ICCt

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Patricia AGUILERA (since 28 September 2023)
• Embassy: Tabarre 41, Route de Tabarre, Port-au-Prince
• Mailing Address: 3400 Port-au-Prince Place, Washington, DC 20521-3400
• Telephone: [011] (509) 2229-8000
• FAX: [011] (509) 2229-8027
• Email: acspap@state.gov
• Website: https://ht.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Louis Harold JOSEPH (since 15 May 2023)
• Chancery: 2311 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
• Telephone: [1] (202) 332-4090
• FAX: [1] (202) 745-7215
• Email: amb.washington@diplomatie.ht
• Website: https://www.haiti.org/
• Consulate(s) General: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando (FL), New York, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

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Geographic Location

The Caribbean

Geographic Coordinates

19 00 N, 72 25 W

Total Area

10,714 Square Miles 27,750 Square Kilometers

Land Area

10,641 Square Miles 27,560 Square Kilometers

Water Area

73 Square Miles 190 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

224 Miles 360 Kilometers

Border Countries

Dominican Republic 360 km

Coastline

1,100 Miles 1,771 Kilometers

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Terrain

Mostly rough and mountainous

Highest Point

2,680 Meters

Highest Point Location

Chaine de la Selle 2,680 m

Lowest Point Location

Caribbean Sea 0 m

Natural Resources

Bauxite, copper, calcium carbonate, gold, marble, hydropower

Irrigated Land

375 Square Miles 970 Square Kilometers

Time Zone

UTC-5 (same time as Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Daylight saving time

+1hr, begins second Sunday in March; ends first Sunday in November

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Climate

Haiti's tropical climate produces seasonal rainfall, although large areas of the country are semiarid.

Temperatures year round range from 70°F to 90°F with humidity sometimes high along the coast.

Average annual rainfall varies from nearly zero in some areas to 53 inches in Port-au-Prince.

The two rainy seasons that Port-au-Prince experiences are from April to June and from August to mid-November.

Rain and accompanying thunder/lightning storms usually occur at dusk and at night, but the days remain clear and sunny.

There is a crisp dry season from December to April.

Surrounding mountains generally protect Port-au-Prince from Caribbean hurricanes.

Terrain

Mostly rough and mountainous

Location

Caribbean, western one-third of the island of Hispaniola, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, west of the Dominican Republic

Total Area

10,714 Square Miles 27,750 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

Dominican Republic 360 km

Environment - Current Issues

• Extensive deforestation (much of the remaining forested land is being cleared for agriculture and used as fuel)
• soil erosion
• inadequate supplies of potable water

Environment - International Agreements

Party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection Signed, but not ratified: Hazardous Wastes

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Exports

$530,200,000 (USD)

Imports

$2,727,000,000 (USD)

Major Exports

Manufactures, coffee, oils, cocoa

Major Imports

Food, manufactured goods, machinery and transport equipment, fuels, raw materials

Top Export Partners

US 84.5%, Dominican Republic 6.7%, Canada 2.5%0

Top Import Partners

US 52.5%, Dominican Republic 5.2%, Colombia 3.4%

Export Partners

US 84.5%, Dominican Republic 6.7%, Canada 2.5%0

Import Partners

US 52.5%, Dominican Republic 5.2%, Colombia 3.4%

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Country Description

Haiti covers the western third of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

The capital city is Port-au-Prince.

The January 12, 2010, earthquake significantly damaged key infrastructure and reduced the capacity of Haiti’s medical facilities.

While slowly improving, Haiti’s infrastructure remains in poor condition, unable to support normal activity, much less crisis situations While the Embassy's ability to provide emergency consular services has improved since the earthquake, it remains limited.

The Haitian National Police (HNP), with assistance from the UN Stabilization Force for Haiti (MINUSTAH), is responsible for keeping the peace in Haiti and rendering assistance during times of civil unrest.

The level of violent crime in Port-au-Prince, including murder and kidnapping, remains a concern and Haiti is considered a ‘critical threat’ post for crime.

Safety & Security

While hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizens safely visit Haiti every year, the Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consider carefully all travel to Haiti.

Travel fully supported by organizations with solid infrastructure, evacuation options, and medical support systems in place is recommended.

If you intend to work for an organization involved in humanitarian efforts in Haiti, be aware that living conditions are difficult.

You should confirm that the organization has the capability to provide transportation and shelter for its paid and volunteer workers.

All relief organizations should have a security plan in place for their personnel.

Please note that space in hotels is extremely limited.

While most crime victims are residents of Haiti, temporary visitors share the risk of falling victim.

There remains a persistent danger of violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide, rape, and kidnapping.

While the size of the Haitian National Police (HNP) force has been growing and its capabilities improving, its ability to maintain citizen security is limited.

The presence of MINUSTAH peacekeeping troops and UN-formed police units remain critical to maintaining an adequate level of security throughout the country.

The limited capability of local law enforcement to respond to and investigate crimes further compounds the security threat to U.S. citizens.

In particular, there have been cases in which travelers arriving in Port-au-Prince on flights from the United States were attacked and robbed after exiting the airport by car (two such cases involving U.S. citizens have been reported in the first six months of 2013).

Police authorities believe criminals may be targeting travelers arriving on flights from the United States, following them, and attacking once they are out of the area.

Use extra caution in arranging transportation from the airport.

Most kidnappings are financial crimes of opportunity, and kidnappers make no distinctions of nationality, race, gender, or age.

Some kidnap victims have been killed, shot, sexually assaulted, or physically abused.

While MINUSTAH remains fully deployed and is assisting the Government of Haiti in providing security, travel within Port-au-Prince can be hazardous.

U.S. embassy personnel are under an embassy-imposed curfew of 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and must remain in their homes or in U.S. government facilities during the curfew.

Some areas are off-limits to Embassy staff after dark, including downtown Port-au-Prince, Cite Soleil, Martissant, Carrefour, Croix Des Bouquets, among other areas.

The embassy restricts travel by its staff to some areas outside of Port-au-Prince because of the prevailing road, weather, or security conditions.

This may constrain the embassy’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens outside Port-au-Prince.

Demonstrations, which are common occurrences in Haiti and can become violent, may occasionally limit embassy operations to emergency services, even within Port-au-Prince.

We recommend that you avoid all large gatherings, as crowd behavior can be unpredictable.

Visitors encountering roadblocks, demonstrations, or large crowds should remain calm and depart the area quickly and avoid confrontation.

Assistance from Haitian authorities is often unavailable.

Be particularly cautious on days when political activities are planned.

Take common-sense precautions and avoid any event where crowds may congregate.

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Crime

Crimes such as kidnappings, death threats, murders, armed robberies, home break-ins and car-jacking are not uncommon in Haiti.

Generally, these crimes are committed by Haitians against other Haitians, but foreigners and U.S. citizens have been victimized.

The incidence of kidnapping in Haiti has diminished from its peak in 2006 when 60 U.S. citizens were reported kidnapped.

In 2012 there were nine reported kidnappings of U.S. citizens, two homicides, seventeen aggravated assaults, one sexual assault, and 115 reported robberies.

In recent years, some U.S. citizens who were kidnapped reported being beaten and/or raped by their hostage takers.

Kidnapping remains the most critical security concern, and kidnappers have not been averse to targeting children in the past.

It is important to exercise a high degree of caution throughout the country.

Keep valuables well hidden, ensure possessions are not left in parked vehicles, use private transportation, alternate your travel routes, and keep doors and windows in homes and vehicles closed and locked.

You should avoid all night-time travel due to poor road conditions and increased criminal activity after dark.

Remain alert for suspicious onlookers when entering and exiting banks, as criminals often watch and subsequently attack bank customers.

Withdrawals of large amounts of cash should be avoided.

Criminal perpetrators often operate in groups of two to four individuals, and may occasionally be confrontational and gratuitously violent.

Criminals sometimes will seriously injure or kill those who resist their attempts to commit crime.

In robberies or home invasions, it is not uncommon for the assailants to beat or shoot the victim in order to limit the victim's ability to resist.

If an armed individual demands the surrender of a vehicle or other valuables, we recommend that you comply.

This recommendation also applies in the event of a kidnapping.

Exercise caution at all times and review basic personal security procedures frequently.

Avoid using public transportation, including "tap-taps" (private transportation used for commercial purposes).

All public transportation is prohibited for Embassy personnel due to the safety and security risks associated with its use.

When arriving to Haiti by air, arrange for someone you know to meet you at the airport.

You should decline all requests to carry items for others to or from Haiti.

Traffickers of illegal drugs have duped unsuspecting travelers into helping transport narcotics aboard commercial airlines.

Avoid certain high-crime zones in the Port-au-Prince area, including Croix-des-Bouquets, Carrefour, Martissant, the port road (Boulevard La Saline), urban route Nationale #1, route Nationale #9, the airport road (Boulevard Toussaint L'Ouverture) and its adjoining connectors to the New ("American") Road via Route Nationale #1 (which should also be avoided).

This latter area in particular has been the scene of numerous robberies, car-jackings, and murders.

Embassy employees are prohibited from entering Cite Soleil and La Saline and their surrounding environs due to significant criminal activity.

Neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince once considered relatively safe, such as the Delmas road area, Petionville, and Vivy Mitchel have been the scenes of an increasing number of violent crimes.

Cameras and video cameras should only be used with the permission of the subjects; violent incidents have followed unwelcome photography.

Avoid photography/videography in high-crime areas.

Holiday periods, especially Christmas and Carnival, often bring a significant increase in criminal activity.

Haiti's Carnival season is marked by street celebrations in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday.

In recent years, Carnival has been accompanied by civil disturbances, altercations and severe traffic disruptions.

People attending Carnival events or simply caught in the resulting celebrations have been injured and killed.

Random stabbings during Carnival season have also occurred.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Haiti, you are subject to its laws.

Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own.

In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you.

In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings.

In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail.

These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.

Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

If you break local laws in Haiti, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Persons violating Haiti's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Haiti are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

The judicial process in Haiti can be extremely slow; progress is often dependent on considerations not related to the specific case, including personal disputes.

Detainees have waited months or years for their cases to be heard before a judge or to have legal decisions acted upon by the authorities.

Bond is not usually available to those arrested for serious crimes with the result that often suspects remain in custody for many months before formal indictment.

Judges have more or less unfettered freedom to detain individuals for prolonged periods of time without the possibility of release or sanctions.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Haiti, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the U.S.

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Medical Facilities

Medical facilities in Haiti are scarce and for the most part sub-standard.

Outside of the capital standards are often even lower than in Port-au-Prince.

Medical care in Port-au-Prince is limited, and the level of community sanitation is extremely low.

Life-threatening emergencies often require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient's expense.

Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment in advance for health services.

In the event of a medical emergency requiring evacuation, a list of air ambulance or charter flight services is available at the ACS web site.

Incidents of cholera have declined significantly since a major outbreak in 2010 and travelers are generally not at high risk; however, cholera persists in many areas of Haiti.

Prior to travel, U.S. citizens should obtain information about cholera and other health-related issues by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions, malaria and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC web site.

Traffic Safety

While in Haiti, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The information below concerning Haiti is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Most of the main roads have been cleared of rubble following the January 2010 earthquake, although some rubble might remain in certain areas and impact traffic.

A few roads remain impassable due to damage from the earthquake.

People regularly walk on the side of the road and street-side vendors ply their wares on the existing sidewalks.

Small animals (pigs, dogs, goats) are often encountered in the city and larger ones (cows and donkeys) will unexpectedly cross country roads.

Cars are supposed to be driven on the right side of the road in Haiti, but few roads have lane indicators and drivers use whichever side of the road is open to them.

Traffic is extremely congested in urban areas, and hours-long traffic jams develop throughout the country.

Driving in Haiti must be undertaken with extreme caution.

Traffic is usually chaotic; those with no knowledge of Haitian roads and traffic customs should hire a driver through a local tour operator or hotel.

Roads are generally unmarked, and detailed and accurate maps are not widely available.

Lanes are not marked and signs indicating the direction of traffic flow seldom exist.

Huge potholes may cause drivers to execute unpredictable and dangerous maneuvers in heavy traffic.

The Haitian government lacks adequate resources to assist drivers in distress or to clear the road of accidents or broken-down vehicles blocking the flow of traffic.

While drinking and driving is illegal in Haiti, people frequently drive after drinking, especially at night.

Public transportation in Haiti consists primarily of “tap-taps” that run regular routes within urban areas and between towns in the countryside.

A handful of public buses exist in the capital.

Neither is considered reliable nor safe.

Regular marked taxis are nonexistent.

We strongly discourage the use of “tap-taps,” public buses, and taxis.

They pose the risk of vehicular accident - “tap-taps” in particular are hazardous because they are open and passengers are often ejected during an accident – and have been the site of numerous robberies and kidnappings in the past.

Never ride in open vehicles that lack seatbelts or on motorbikes without helmets.

If you are visiting Haiti, to assist in humanitarian projects, you should confirm that your sponsoring organization has arranged to provide safe, reliable transportation during your stay.

U.S. citizens have suffered life-threatening injuries and some have been killed after being thrown from open vehicles or motorbikes in accidents in Haiti.

Those who drive in Haiti should do so defensively and conservatively, should avoid confrontations such as jockeying for position, and remain aware of the vehicles around them.

Drivers should carry the phone numbers of people to call for assistance in an emergency, as Haitian authorities are unlikely to respond to requests for assistance.

When traveling outside of Port-au-Prince, drivers should caravan with other vehicles to avoid being stranded in the event of an accident or breakdown.

Although Haitian law requires that applicants pass both a written and a driving test to qualify for a driver’s license, many Haitian drivers appear unaware of traffic laws.

Signaling imminent actions is not widely practiced and not all drivers use turn indicators or international hand signals properly.

For instance, many drivers use their left blinker for all actions, including turning right and stopping in the road, and others flap their left arm out the window to indicate that they will be taking an unspecified action.

Drivers do not always verify that the road is clear before switching lanes, turning, or merging.

When making a left-hand turn, drivers should be aware that traffic may pass on the left while they are attempting

5 facts — expand for details.

Airports - total

14

Airports with Paved Runways

4

Roadways- total

2,651 Miles 4,266 Kilometers

Roadways- paved

477 Miles 768 Kilometers

Ports and Terminals

Cap-Haitien, Gonaives, Jacmel, Jeremie, Les Cayes, Miragoane, Port-au-Prince, Port-de-Paix, Saint-Marc

7 facts — expand for details.

Telephones

108,300

Cell Phones

2,500,000

Internet Users

1,000,000

Internet Country Code

.ht

Internet Hosts

273

Broadcast Media

• Several TV stations, including 1 government-owned
• cable TV subscription service available
• government-owned radio network
• more than 250 private and community radio stations with about 50 FM stations in Port-au-Prince alone

Telephone System

• assessment: Telecommunications infrastructure is among the least developed in Latin America and the Caribbean; domestic facilities barely adequate; international facilities slightly better
• Domestic: Mobile-cellular telephone services are expanding rapidly due, in part, to the introduction of low-cost GSM phones; mobile-cellular teledensity exceeds 40 per 100 persons
• International: Country code - 509; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Electricity Consumption- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

309,000,000

Electricity Production- Kilowatt Hours (kWh)

650,000,000

Oil Consumption- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

14,000

2 facts — expand for details.

Anthem History

La Dessalinienne honoring Jean-Jacques Dessalines. It was written by Justin Lhérisson and composed by Nicolas Geffrard and adopted in 1904.

Anthem Lyrics English

La Dessalinienne March on!

For ancestors and country, United march, United march; Loyal subjects all remain, And lords of our domain United march, March on!

United march for ancestors and country, March on, united march, march on!

Unite for ancestors and country!

For sacred soil, For sires of old We gladly toil.

When teem field and wold The soul is strong and bold.

We gladly toil, we gladly toil For sacred soil, For sires of old.

For land we love And sires of old We give our sons.

Free, happy, and bold, One brotherhood we'll hold.

We give our sons, we give our sons For land we love And sires of old.

For those who gave For country all, God of the brave, To thee, O God, we call; Without thee we must fall, God of the brave, God of the brave.

For those who gave For country all.

For flag on high For Native land 'Tis fine to die.

Our traditions demand Be ready, heart and hand, 'Tis fine to die, 'tis find to die For flag on high, For Native land.