Over night trip to Haiti?

[Derfish]

When in Central America it is customary to make a Visa Run to cross the border and then come back to ¨renew the visa¨ though in actuality there isn´t really a visa. But the laws from Mexico to Panama seem to be that if one crosses the border they cannot return in less than 72 hours. The laws were presumably put in place as a means to slow down the drug lords in their business.
Question,
If I go to Haiti from the DR do I have to stay 72 hours before returning? I am a USA citizen and have presently over stayed my legal right to be here having arrived on Oct 10, 2011.
Thanks
Der Fish

[windeguy]

There are posts on DR1 about this. Going to Haiti no longer will renew your visitor's visa. You now have to return to the country from which you are from and then come back to the DR to restart the visitors visa period.

See post 31 of :

Renewal of Tourist Card

[frank recktenwald]

Maybe it would be cheaper and safer to just stay and pay the "fine" the next time you have to leave the country.

[Derfish]

There are posts on DR1 about this. Going to Haiti no longer will renew your visitor's visa. You now have to return to the country from which you are from and then come back to the DR to restart the visitors visa period.

Thanks, That answers one aspect of the question. What I am wanting to do is go overnight and be assured that I can get back into the DR. Whether it renews my visa or not!
Der Fish

[Jeepito]

You will have to pay the fine before being allowed to leave the DR anyway; so in essence, you will have a clean slate when you re-enter.

[Derfish]

Maybe it would be cheaper and safer to just stay and pay the "fine" the next time you have to leave the country.

There are a few others here where I reside who are planning a Haiti trip there and back. Just a bit afraid of going and being hung up on the other side which once happened to me in El Dalvador while the car was solito in Honduras for 3 days. Maybe it will be better to not chance it. Thanks
Der Fish

[Jeepito]

That border is a bit chaotic on either side. There are formalities in place, but if you got hung up for any reason; a few pesos will get you a long way, if you know what I mean. I wouldn't worry about it.

I traveled to Haiti twice last year, the process is done through a travel agency inside caribe tours, they take the money and your passport, once at the border the hostess takes care of all the red tape. The passport is returned to you once on the other side for Haitian customs. My advice to you is to call, or pay a visit to that travel agency inside caribe tours in Santo Domingo. I'm sure they will be able to answer all your questions. BTW you will be surprised at the amount of foreigners crossing back and forth to Haiti on a regular basis.

[JaraChica]

There are posts on DR1 about this. Going to Haiti no longer will renew your visitor's visa. You now have to return to the country from which you are from and then come back to the DR to restart the visitors visa period.

See post 31 of :

Renewal of Tourist Card

Indeed, don't go to Haiti to renew your tourist visa! According to the new immigration laws, you may only renew by entering from your country of origin! While I'm not sure how strictly the law is being enforced yet, you could face problems. This new immigration law if pushing us to getting residency instead of living as permanent 'tourists!'

[windeguy]

You will have to pay the fine before being allowed to leave the DR anyway; so in essence, you will have a clean slate when you re-enter.

That may or may not be true. Since people crossing back and forth to Haiti who don't live there won't be entitled to a new visitor's visa, it could just create an added complication. The law has been changed.

[Rep Dom]

Why dont you just ask for residency?