Work visas
Haitian Work Permit (Permis de Travail)
The authorisation required for any foreign national who intends to work in Haiti, issued through the labour ministry.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Under review — check current rules
Work-permit validity, fees and processing time (reported by secondary sources as roughly 2–6 months) are not confirmed on an official Haitian labour-ministry page and are unverified.
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Haiti government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Permis de travail (work permit)
- Route type
- Employment authorisation
- Issuing body
- Ministry responsible for social affairs and labour
- Who needs it
- Foreign nationals intending to work in Haiti
- Related permit
- Residence permit (permis de séjour) usually also required for long stays
- Where to apply (work permit)
- MAST - Service Public de l'Emploi (SPE), #7 Avenue Charles Sumner, Port-au-Prince
- Work-permit requests are lodged through the SPE online portal (Requete de Livret/Permis de travail).
- Where to apply (residence permit)
- Direction de l'Immigration et de l'Emigration (DIE), 171 Avenue John Brown (Lalue), Port-au-Prince
- Residence permit fee
- 5,000 gourdes, paid by cheque to the public treasury
- Bank balance evidence
- Bank attestation from a bank operating in Haiti, minimum 7,500 gourdes or US$200
- Residence permit validity
- Haitian fiscal year (1 October - 30 September), renewed each fiscal year
- Follows MICT/DIE practice; confirm the current cycle with the DIE.
- Residence permit trigger
- Required for any foreign national staying in Haiti more than 90 days
Who it is for
- Foreign nationals taking up employment or paid activity in Haiti
- Employees of local or foreign companies, and other categories such as missionaries and teachers
How to apply
- Apply through the ministry responsible for labour and social affairs
- Arrange the accompanying residence permit with the DIE for stays over the short-visit limit
- Confirm current document list, fees and timescales with the ministry
Requirements
- A job offer or employment arrangement with an employer legally registered in Haiti, with the employer acting as sponsor through MAST
- For any stay over 90 days, a companion residence permit (permis de sejour) from the DIE in addition to the work permit from MAST
- A passport valid for at least six months and the correct entry status for your nationality
- The work permit is issued for a limited term and is renewable; the exact term and renewal limit are not published officially and should be confirmed with MAST
Documents you may need
- Photocopy of the biographic page of your passport
- Letter from your employer guaranteeing your stay in Haiti and repatriation if necessary, with a copy of the company's business licence
- Medical certificate no more than 30 days old
- Two colour passport-format photographs
- Photocopy of the boarding card from your most recent entry into Haiti
- Photocopy of your birth certificate with a French translation
- Bank attestation from a bank operating in Haiti (minimum 7,500 gourdes or US$200)
- Recent police / criminal record certificate from your country of origin
Frequently asked questions
Yes. A foreign national working in Haiti needs a work permit from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MAST) and, for any stay over 90 days, a residence permit (permis de sejour) from the DIE. They are separate applications to two different offices.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.