Living in Haiti

• Most visitors do not need a visa to enter Haiti and receive a tourist visa upon arrival
• A visa is necessary for citizens of the Dominican Republic, Colombia and Panama
• Tourists can stay in Haiti for up to 90 days
• After 90 days, visitors must obtain a residence permit from the Immigration and Emigration Services
• Foreigners that work more than three months or 90 days must obtain a work permit

The CFI can assist investors with these processes if needed.

• Wide selection of housing to choose from
• Rent can range from US$200 per month to as high as US$ 5,000 per month
• Rental prices vary depending on the area and amenities
• Most common areas for rentals in Port-au-Prince: Bourdon, Delmas, Pacot, Freres, Petion-Ville, Pelerin, Peguy-Ville, Juvenat, Laboule, Thomassin, Kenscoff, and Montagne Noire

• Wide range of hotels in the Port-au-Prince area
• International chains and local boutique options
• Amenities such as meeting rooms, outdoor pools, fitness centers and spas are available in many hotels
• National and international investments are underway to increase accommodation options in the Provinces

• Investors can rent cars from several rental car companies at the airport in Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitian
• Companies include Hertz, Thrifty, Avis, Europcar, Budget, Secom, Dollar Rent a Car
• Taxis are available from airports, and cost approximately US$ 50 for a one-way trip to a hotel in Petion-Ville
• Regular and charter flights are available from Port-au-Prince to other domestic destinations such as Cap-Haïtien, Les Cayes, Jacmel, Jérémie, and Port-de-Paix
• Large comfortable buses also offer transport to these main towns

Haiti’s country code: 509

• Considerable private investment has been underway in Haiti’s internet and telecommunication
• Rapidly expanding mobile phone penetration rate over the past decade
• The predominant mobile providers are Digicel and Natcom
• Two undersea fiber optic cables extend to Haiti and E1 connectivity is provided at competitive rates
• Estimated 2.6 million internet users which covers 25 percent of the population
• In the mobile space, Haiti has over 6.5 million subscribers
• Five internet service providers: Digicel, Multilink, Hainet, Natcom, and Access Haiti

• 7 banks serve the local market: Sogebank, Unibank, BNC, BUH, Citibank, Capital bank, BPH
• Average exchange rate March 2017: 1 USD = 68.7 HTG
• It is recommended to use Haitian Gourdes rather than U.S. dollars to obtain the best exchange rate
• ATMs are located in various locations in Port-au-Prince and Petion-Ville and accept Visa and Mastercard for debit cards; American Express is also widely accepted

Haiti offers diverse cultural and leisure activities for individuals and families living and working in Haiti to enjoy.

• Various cultural event throughout the year, with February carnival the main attraction
• Music, art, and dance performances happen throughout the year
• Within an hour and a half drive from the capital, one can go hiking in the refreshingly cool mountains, sunbathing on pristine beaches, diving in coral reefs, or swimming under waterfalls
• Over a weekend, one can visit the city of Jacmel, Haiti’s artistic capital, the historic sites surrounding Cap-Haïtien, or even the Dominican Republic or Miami
• Numerous gyms, pools and sports facilities are available, as are hiking and running groups, and even an Ultimate Frisbee group
• Wide variety of restaurants available, ranging from Haitian food to high-end European and Asian options
• Modern supermarket facilities conveniently offer a very wide range of local and imported products

A number of healthcare options are available in Haiti. Hospital facilities are being upgraded to bring Haiti up to high standards internationally. Examples include:

• Hospital Bernard Mevs is a 50-bed hospital in Port-au-Prince offering a series of specialty services including adult and pediatric intensive care units, a 24/7 emergency room and three state-of-the-art operating theatres
• National Critical Care and Trauma Hospital in Port-au-Prince: once operational, this new project will provide critical care and trauma services with equipment and services not yet available in Haiti
• Haiti Air Ambulance can transport patients in critical condition by helicopter to the most appropriate facilities available in Haiti.

Hospitals and doctors offer care to all patients; while all services are paid in cash, many international insurance plans will reimburse expenses.

Haiti offers a range of international school options in both English and French. Examples include: Lycée francais Alexandre-Dumas, Union School, Quisqueya Christian School, Morning Star Christian Academy, The New American School, The New Victorian School, The Haitian Academy.