Rules changing for Brits emigrating to Haiti

A law passed in 1978 will now be enforced in Haiti, with a potentially huge impact on British immigrants working on the island.

The Ministry of the Interior has decided that any foreigners staying in Haiti for over 90 days will be obliged to seek a residence permit from the Directorate of Immigration and Emigration (DIE), and will be valid for tax for the year starting on October 1 – the fiscal calendar of Haiti.

In the press note signed by the Minister of the Interior Thierry Mayard-Paul, all businesses, including supermarkets and NGOs, will be obliged to report any foreigners immigrants in their employment within 15 days of work commencing, or face prosecution, reports the website defend.ht.

A Brigade of Alien Control (BAC) has been organised to pay unannounced visits to guarantee the full execution of the law. Rather than being an amendment, the Minister of the Interior is employing a number of Articles from the Legislative Decree of December 26, 1978, which were passed during the government of former President Jean Claude Duvalier.

Many Haitian Diaspora that visit Haiti have been reluctant to reveal information on entry for some time due to fear that their confidentiality may be compromised and they may become victims of kidnapping.