Starting a business in Haiti: foreigner's guide (2026)

Foreign investors may own 100% of a Haitian company or subsidiary. The Investment Code imposes no discriminatory requirements on foreign versus domestic investors, though foreign ownership of real property is capped at 1.29 hectares (urban) and 6.45 hectares (rural).

The main vehicles for foreign investors are the Société Anonyme (SA), requiring at least three shareholders and a minimum paid-up capital of HTG 25,000 (~USD 500), and the SARL, which has no statutory minimum capital and suits smaller ventures. Branches of foreign companies may also be registered.

The process requires: (1) commercial name reservation at the MCI; (2) notarization of articles of incorporation by a Haitian notary; (3) submission and approval by the Registre du Commerce; (4) mandatory publication in Le Moniteur (official gazette); (5) registration with the tax authority (DGI) for a Tax Identification Number (NIF); (6) registration with the social security fund (ONA) and the health and work-injury insurer (OFATMA).

Official optimistic estimates put formation at 3–4 weeks for a straightforward SARL. The World Bank's last Doing Business measurement (2020) recorded approximately 97 days for a limited liability company to be registered and operational; Haiti ranked 187th of 190 economies on that indicator.

The Centre de Facilitation des Investissements (CFI) is Haiti's official investment promotion agency. It provides free orientation services, guides investors through licensing, and is mandated to expedite administrative procedures. Its services are at no direct cost to the investor.

As of 2025, gangs control an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince, with kidnapping and violence severely disrupting normal business operations. The U.S. State Department's 2025 Investment Climate Statement notes that while laws are not discriminatory, the government's economic policies and institutional capacity fall short of providing a sound enabling environment for foreign direct investment.