ARTICLE - CANADA - TRAVEL WARNING

FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE CANADA
www.travel.gc.ca

OFFICIAL WARNING:
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to Haiti due to civil unrest linked to ongoing Presidential elections. Although the situation has calmed, protests may occur at any moment and the security situation remains unpredictable. Protests may also become violent with little or no notice. The majority of demonstrations occur in Port-au-Prince; however, incidents may be sparked anywhere in the country without notice.

The security situation remains hazardous and unpredictable. It is imperative that all Canadians currently in Haiti have suitable accompaniment. The use of public transport of any kind is not recommended. As the situation can change at any moment, visitors are advised to check with the organizations, institutes, or hosts that are taking care of them to receive the latest updates on the security situation in the region to which they are travelling.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION:
We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

SAFETY AND SECURITY
The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports.

In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Crime
The security situation is hazardous and unpredictable throughout the country. Canadians who travel to Haiti must be vigilant throughout the country. Criminal activity is especially evident in large centres such as downtown Port-au-Prince and Gonaïves, where some armed gangs continue to operate. Many gang leaders escaped the National Penitentiary during the January 2010 earthquake and are still at large. Others have fled the capital.

Canadians in Haiti should continue to exercise a high degree of caution due to an increased risk of looting, rioting, and violence related to lack of resources following the earthquake.

Although travel in the parts of the country less affected by the earthquake presents less of a risk, travellers are advised to exercise extreme caution and not to travel after dark.

Murder, kidnapping, armed robberies, burglaries, and carjackings have been known to occur even in daylight hours. The general Haitian population, regardless of social class, can be considered at risk of being kidnapped. Although rare, there have been kidnappings involving Canadians and other foreign nationals, including missionaries, aid workers, and children. Most victims have been released after paying ransoms. However, in some exceptional cases, victims have disappeared or have been killed.

Avoid walking alone at all times. Keep car windows closed and doors locked when travelling.

Avoid showing visible signs of affluence, such as wearing expensive-looking jewellery or cameras.

Remain cautious with new acquaintances offering friendship or hospitality. Foreigners, including Canadians, are viewed as wealthy. Travellers should comply and not resist if attacked.

Remain alert to small groups of loiterers, especially near your residence. Keep doors and windows secure at all times. Instruct domestic staff to permit only preauthorized visitors whose identities have been verified into your home. Keep all visitors under close supervision.

Avoid photographing individuals without obtaining their approval first. Be cautious when photographing scenes in poorer or urban areas, where people may feel exploited or insulted by being subjects of such activities.

Demonstrations and unrest
Demonstrations are a part of Haitian culture and protest marches and strikes may occur at any time in the capital, throughout the country, and on main highways. Local transportation services can be disrupted. Avoid large crowds, as they can turn into violent demonstrations. Canadians should monitor the situation through local news broadcasts and stay inside during political gatherings and demonstrations. Curfews could be in effect.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from Haitian authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti or its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Haiti. The Embassy of Canada in Port-au-Prince can issue a passport in an average of 15 working days. However, Canadians who arrive in Haiti without required documentation may face processing delays well beyond their planned departure date.

All Canadians are required to have a valid Canadian passport to depart from Haiti. You will not be allowed to board a return flight to Canada with a non-Canadian passport and a Canadian Citizenship Card. Either a valid Canadian passport or a non-Canadian passport containing a valid Canadian visa is required.

Tourist Visa: Not applicableBusiness

Visa: Not applicable

Student Visa: Required
Haiti does not issue tourist visas for foreign visitors. However, it is essential that travellers contact the nearest Haitian diplomatic mission for clarification before travelling to Haiti, to ensure that visa requirements have not changed.Visitors wishing to extend their stay beyond 90 days must apply to the Haitian Immigration Service before the 90 days have expired. Do not wait until the last minute.Haiti does not issue business visas or work permits. We strongly recommend that Canadian investors, exporters/importers, and workers register with the Embassy of Canada in Port-au-Prince and contact the trade section at prnce.td@international.gc.ca. They may also contact the Haitian-Canadian Chamber of Commerce and Industry for information and advice. For stays of more than six months, they must apply for a permit of stay (Permis de séjour) through their employer with Haitian Immigration authorities. This document must be obtained before leaving Canada. Individual Canadians or Canadian organizations wishing to donate clothing, new or used material goods, personal care products, or medications should contact the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti or its consulates before sending goods to Haiti. Donations entering the country are subject to import rules and could be seized and taxed in accordance with local legislation.

Foreign visitors are not charged any entry fees, except for those entering from the Dominican Republic via a land border crossing. These visitors must pay a fee of US$20 (cash only).

Canadians born outside Haiti who have been in the country for more than 90 days, and who did not apply for an extension of stay, must obtain an exit visa from the Haitian Immigration Service before leaving the country.

A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials.

For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:
Haiti - PORT-AU-PRINCE, Embassy of Canada
Address: Delmas Road, between Delmas 75 and 71, Port-au-Prince
Postal Address: P.O. Box 826, Port-au-Prince,
Tel.: 011 (509) 2-812-9000
Fax: 011 (509) 2-249-9920, 2-249-9921, 2-249-9922, 2-249-9928
E-Mail: prnce@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.haiti.gc.ca/

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Port-au-Prince and follow the instructions. Callers may occasionally experience difficulties reaching the Embassy by telephone or facsimile due to problems with local infrastructure. In such cases, Canadians can contact the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613‑996‑8885 or via e-mail at sos@international.gc.ca.

TRAVEL HEALTH
The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is currently monitoring a nationwide cholera outbreak in Haiti. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. The infection of individuals usually comes from drinking or eating contaminated water or food. It is associated with rapid dehydration, which may be life-threatening. For more information, please see the PHAC’s Travel Health Notice for Haiti.

Water for drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice should be boiled first, or drink only bottled water and long-life (UHT) milk. Eat only well-cooked meat and fish, preferably still hot. Fruits and vegetables should be washed and then peeled prior to eating or cooking.

Health care services have been severely affected by the January 2010 earthquake, particularly in Port-au-Prince and its surrounding suburbs, as most hospitals and emergency health care centres have either been severely damaged or completely destroyed. Already scarce and below Western standards prior to the quake, health care services tend to be overwhelmed easily and emergency response is not guaranteed, as there are not enough ambulances to provide adequate service. Life-threatening emergencies may require evacuation by air ambulance at the patient's expense. Outside the main centres, basic emergencies may not be handled in a timely manner.

Physicians and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for medical care.

Medications sold in Haiti may be of inferior quality to those available in Canada. Pharmacies may carry expired medications. Always verify expiry dates on the original packaging.

To avoid risks of mosquito-borne diseases, travellers should cover up and use mosquito repellent. Anti-malarial treatment is also recommended, particularly if travel outside urban centres is planned.

Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhoea, syphilis and HIV, are prevalent.

LAWS AND CUSTOMS
You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system.

Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities.

Such requests are rare. Legal fees can be very high and judicial procedures are lengthy. Some Canadians have experienced a lengthy detention period (in some cases, over a year) before being sent to trial. Prison conditions in Haiti are extremely difficult. Penal facilities are overcrowded, unsanitary, and under-resourced.Possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs can result in lengthy legal proceedings, heavy jail sentences, and fines. Canadians have been arrested for drug trafficking after they agreed to check in bags for new acquaintances.

TRAVEL AND CURRENCY
Roads are narrow and poorly maintained, as are most vehicles.

Few traffic lights operate and those that do are limited to urban centres. Traffic signs are rare. Driving at night and in bad weather should be avoided, even in the city. Streets are rarely lit, and unlit vehicles are common. Vehicles are often abandoned on the road or by the side of the road. Many people drive while intoxicated and do not respect traffic rules.

Since there are periodic disruptions of fuel supplies, petrol tanks should be kept at least half full at all times.

No public transport of any kind is recommended, especially informal taxis (e.g. “tap-taps”) to and from the airport. Buses are mechanically unreliable and overcrowded. Due to the lack of police and roadside assistance services, travellers should carry a mobile phone and a list of contact numbers in the event of an emergency. Coverage for cellular telephones can be intermittent in some rural areas. A Haitian driver's permit, which is required for vehicle operators staying over three months, may be obtained on presentation of a valid provincial driver's licence or an International Driving Permit (IDP). For stays under three months, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

The Government of Haiti’s National Office of Civil Aviation has grounded all operations of Caribintair Airlines. For security reasons, Canadians are advised to avoid travel with this airline, including flights to and from Port-au-Prince.

Domestic flights are operated by two private companies, which use aircraft that are sometimes poorly maintained. According to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Government of Haiti's civil aviation authority has been assessed at Category 2 - not in compliance with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) safety standards for the oversight of Haiti's air carrier operations. This assessment does not apply to U.S. or Canadian carriers travelling in and out of Haiti.

The currency is the gourde (HTG), but prices are often quoted in Haitian dollars (fixed rate of 5 gourdes to 1 Haitian dollar) or U.S. dollars. Although most leading hotels accept major credit cards, American and Canadian traveller’s cheques are rarely accepted and Canadian currency is never accepted. Canadian bank cards may be used to access funds from some automated banking machines (ABMs), but the withdrawal limit is much lower than in Canada. ABMs have proved unreliable in the past and should not be depended upon in emergency situations.

Travellers should also be extremely vigilant when using ABMs in Haiti due to a high risk of robbery. It is advisable to deal directly with a teller.

NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE
On January 12, 2010, a strong earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck close to Port-au-Prince. The earthquake has caused widespread loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. Power and telecommunications are severely disrupted. Health services remain extremely limited.

The hurricane season extends from June to the end of November. You are advised to visit the Web site of the National Hurricane Center for information on weather conditions.

Flooding and landslides have caused tremendous damage to many parts of the country in the past. Travel to affected areas can be severely restricted and could be hazardous. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts (including radio reports issued by the Haitian authorities) and plan accordingly.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Returning to CanadaTraveller's Checklist
Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs.

Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage.

Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

ANNEX: N/A -->

Date Modified: 2010-12-23