Do not travel
to Haiti due to the risk of crime, kidnapping, terrorism, unrest, and limited health care. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Haiti has been under a national state of emergency since March 2024. This state of emergency remains in effect.
U.S. government employee travel restrictions
U.S. government employees working in Haiti are not allowed to travel away from the U.S. embassy for non-essential reasons due to safety risks. The U.S. government has an extremely limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Haiti because of security-related travel restrictions.
Due to safety risks, family members cannot join U.S. government employees who work in Haiti.
Air Travel
U.S. commercial flights are not currently operating to or from Port-au-Prince. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that prohibits U.S. air carrier flights to Port-au-Prince due to ongoing instability. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.
Crime
Violent crime is rampant in Haiti, especially in Port-au-Prince. There has been an increase in gangs, organized crime, and terrorist activities.
- Crimes involving firearms are common.
- Crimes include robbery, carjackings, sexual assault, and kidnappings for ransom.
- The escalation of fighting between armed groups has led to a rise in random gunfire incidents. There is risk of being struck by stray bullets, even for people not directly involved in the violence.
- Local law enforcement has an extremely limited ability to respond to serious crimes, particularly outside Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien.
Kidnapping
Kidnapping is widespread. U.S. citizen victims of kidnapping have been hurt or killed.
- Kidnappers often demand ransoms. Ransom demands are typically in the tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Kidnappers target and attack vehicles, including commercial busses. They can also attack convoys.
Terrorism
Terrorist violence, including attacks on citizens and other violent gang activity, happens frequently in Haiti. Some Haitian gangs are designated by the U.S. Department of State as terrorist organizations. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s country reports on terrorism to learn more.
Unrest
Protests, demonstrations, and roadblocks are common and unpredictable. Protesters and demonstrators sometimes damage or destroy infrastructure and can become violent.
- Armed, anti-gang vigilante groups attack and, in many cases, kill U.S. citizens. This is when they suspect someone of being a gang member based only on rumors or incorrect information.
- Neighborhood watch groups have built improvised barricades and gates to control the flow of traffic in certain areas.
- “Watch groups” often harass or detain people who are not known to be residents of their neighborhoods.
Health
- Hospitals and clinics in Haiti have limited trained staff and lack basic resources.
- Medical providers almost always require payment in cash before treatment.
- Most medical providers speak little or no English.
