This message is to alert U.S. citizens of the risks of travel in Haiti along the southern peninsula – commonly referred to as the “southern claw.” U.S. citizens are advised not to travel to the area for the time being. While it is difficult at this time to know exact conditions in the southern peninsula following the landfall of Hurricane Matthew on October 3, 2016, there are reports of widespread devastation with the most affected areas on the western tip of the peninsula. Travelers can expect difficult travel conditions with roads made impassable by landslides, bridge failures, and residual flooding. There are also reports of damage to buildings and infrastructure, such as gas stations, loss of electricity, shortages of food and potable water, as well as widespread loss of cellular telephone coverage. The U.S. Embassy has currently banned unofficial travel outside of Port-au-Prince for its employees and allows official travel only after consultation with its security office.
U.S. citizens already in Haiti are advised to locate shelter, monitor media reports, and follow all official instructions. U.S. citizens should carry their travel documents at all times (i.e. U.S. Passport, Birth Certificate, picture identification, etc). We also suggest that U.S. citizens contact friends and family in the United States with updates about their welfare and whereabouts.
We strongly recommend that all U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Haiti enroll in the Department of State’s secure online Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates and makes it easier for the nearest U.S. embassy to contact you in an emergency.
Anyone who missed a scheduled American Citizen Services appointment at the U.S. Embassy due to Hurricane Matthew is welcome to call 509-2229-8000, 509-2229-8900 or send us an email at the acspap@state.gov to reschedule your appointment. For Immigrant or nonimmigrant visa cases, please contact the call center at 509-2819-2929 or by email at support-Haiti@ustraveldocs.com.
Contact the U.S. Embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Follow the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Twitter and Facebook.
Travelers are advised to regularly monitor the travel information page of the State Department’s website where you can find the current travel warnings for Haiti, travel alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for Haiti . For additional information, refer to “Travelers Checklist” on the State Department’s website.
For all emergencies involving U.S. citizens, contact the U.S. Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section, located at Tabarre 41, Boulevard du 15 Octobre, Tabarre, Haiti; telephone 509-2229-8000; e-mail ; website.
