14314: Karshan: Foreigners forced to ask a visa from now on (HPN) (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: MKarshan@aol.com

I am simply forwarding a translation of a Dec. 3rd article by Haiti Press
Network regarding the visa issue.  In the end this article raises more
questions than it answers!  For information on visa questions please contact
the Haitian Consulate or if in Haiti the Immigration Office which is part of
the Ministry of Interior.

Foreigners forced to ask a visa from now on

Port-au-Prince, December 3, 2002 - (HPN) - All visitors coming to Haiti will
now need an entry visa, according to the Minister of Interior, Jocelerme
Privert. He indicated that a resolution adopted in 1999 by the Ministers
Council had given airline companies the authorization to travel with visitors
coming to Haiti without a visa, as long as their stay was shorter than ninety
days. This law stipulated that these visitors would obtain a visa at the
entry. But the law was never applied. However, in case of an extension of
stay up to six months, it was necessary to ask a single exit visa, for fear
of having problems when leaving the country. This measure had been taken to
contribute to the development of tourism in the country. "But there's never
been a law that abolishes the entry visa in Haiti," he pointed out.

Now, all persons who are not Haitian citizens will have to obtain an entry
visa before they even take the plane to come to the country. Mr. Privert
specified that citizens of four countries have always been asked an entry
visa, no matter how long their stay is. These countries are Colombia, Panama,
the Dominican Republic and the People's Republic of China.

According to the Minister, no fees will be asked for this visa. However, the
airport tax at the exit, which is thirty US dollars for foreigners and one
hundred and twenty five gourdes for Haitians, is kept.

Jocelerme Privert underlined that, lately, the country had turned into a
transit point for illicit travels, because of the non-application of the 1999
resolution. He denounced the fact that some foreigners have taken advantage
of the weakness of our administrations to get a Haitian passport. "This
decision is not taken to cause foreigners harm, but to guarantee our
country's dignity and image."

A consequence of this measure is that foreigners who intend to live in the
country will now need to ask a residence permit. Right now, statistics show
that only six hundred and eighty five foreigners have the residency. "Those
who don't have their residency card will be considered as unwanted."

After the Minister's declarations, many things are still not clear. Will
there be a transition period? Will it be easier to get the citizenship or a
residence permit for foreigners who participate in the country's economy? How
much will such a permit cost? How will citizens who come from a country where
there is no Haitian representation get their visa? HPN will try to get an
answer to all those questions.