Moving to South Africa from Haiti

moving to

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Haiti to South Africa — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Haiti to South Africa, and you’d need to navigate life in Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Haiti to South Africa.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

HT
40.9
ZA
45.5
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

HT
31.3
ZA
24.5

Haiti generally does better on safety, though South Africa leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

HT
$105
ZA
$1,354
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

HT
2.4
ZA
8.1

Haiti generally does better on health & wellbeing, though South Africa leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

HT
50.0
ZA
47.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

HT
0.3t
ZA
6.9t

Haiti generally does better on environment, though South Africa leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

HT
0.3
ZA
3.3
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

HT
13.4%
ZA
66.9%

South Africa generally does better on infrastructure, though Haiti leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

HT
14.6%
ZA
28.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

HT
$2,900
ZA
$14,300

Haiti generally does better on employment & economy, though South Africa leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

HT
66.0 yrs
ZA
65.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

HT
40.0
ZA
25.9

South Africa generally does better on family life, though Haiti leads in life expectancy.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Haiti and South Africa. To live, work, or study long-term in South Africa, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check South Africa's immigration authority.

Haiti passport

Haiti passport holder visiting South Africa

Visa Required
Haiti passport holders need a visa to enter South Africa.
South Africa passport

South Africa passport holder visiting Haiti

Visa Free
South Africa passport holders can enter Haiti without a visa.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from South Africa?

Internet is rarely the blocker — South Africa has 3.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is South Africa safe for expats?

Haiti generally does better on safety, though South Africa leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in South Africa is 45.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 40.9 in Haiti.

How is healthcare in South Africa compared to Haiti?

Haiti generally does better on health & wellbeing, though South Africa leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 8.1 doctors per 10,000 people in South Africa, compared to 2.4 in Haiti. South Africa scores 71 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Haiti: 54).

What language do they speak in South Africa?

The official languages in South Africa are Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. In Haiti, the official languages are French and Haitian Creole.

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At a Glance

HT ZA
Population 11,334,637 57,516,665
Currency Haitian Gourde (HTG) South African Rand (ZAR)
Languages French, Haitian Creole Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +509 +27
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 114 10111