Company registration in Haiti: A step-by-step guide

Haiti can be a strategic base for francophone Caribbean operations, but company formation involves several formal steps. Businesses must file documents in French or Creole, have them notarized, obtain approval from the commercial registry, and publish their incorporation details in Le Moniteur.

Registrations with the tax authority (DGI), the social security fund (ONA), and the national health and work injury insurer (OFATMA) are mandatory. Companies should also budget for a 30% corporate income tax, 10% turnover tax, and payroll contributions, adding at least 14% to employment costs. An Employer of Record (EOR) service provides a faster, compliant entry route that eliminates the need for entity setup.

Business benefits of company registration in Haiti

A registered company in Haiti gives legal presence, credibility, and access to government and private contracts.

• Investor support: The Centre de Facilitation des Investissements (CFI) guides licensing and approvals.
• Defined procedures: MCI, DGI, ONA, and OFATMA each have published workflows.
• Predictable payroll costs: ONA and OFATMA contributions are formula-based, simplifying projections.
• Regional advantage: A French/Creole-speaking hub close to North America and the Dominican Republic.

Next up, we’ll break down your company registration options in Haiti, from standard setups to working with an EOR.

A step-by-step guide to registering a company in Haiti

Setting up a business in Haiti is straightforward if you approach the process with the right steps in mind. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1: Choose your business structure

Select what matches control, fundraising, and governance from the following options:

Limited Liability Company (SARL — Société à Responsabilité Limitée)

• Commonly used for SMEs, though the law mainly covers corporations (SA) and partnerships (SNC/SCS).
• Limits owners’ liability to their contributions.
• Requires reserving a commercial name with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI).
• File articles of incorporation and deeds; capital is defined in the articles.
• Documents must include ID, NIF/NINU, and applicable fees.

Corporation / Joint-Stock Company (SA — Société Anonyme)

• Preferred for larger ventures, banks, and businesses planning to scale.
• Requires at least three shareholders (one must be an individual).
• Advisors often cite a baseline paid-in capital of $170–$180, with higher amounts for industrial or financial ventures.
• Registration requires a dossier and MCI authorization; guidance is available on the Services Publics portal.

Partnerships (SNC/SCS) and Sole Proprietorships

• Suitable for professional practices and micro-enterprises.
• SNC: partners have unlimited joint liability.
• SCS: limited partners cap liability but cannot manage operations.
• MCI outlines constitutive acts and filing mechanics.
• Sole proprietors (entreprise individuelle) follow the one-person registration process on the Services Publics portal.

Branch or Subsidiary of a Foreign Company

• Allowed but requires completing Haitian formalities.
• Must reserve a commercial name, submit notarized statutes (in French), and file with the MCI.
• The Centre de Facilitation des Investissements (CFI) supports foreign investors with procedures and orientation.
• MCI services hub provides tools for name search, certificates, and filings.

Step 2: Reserve your trade name with MCI

Search and file for enregistrement d’un nom commercial via the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI). Keep a copy of the approved certificate (now QR-coded for verification).

Before anything else, you need to reserve a unique commercial name. This is done through the MCI under the service called enregistrement d’un nom commercial.

The portal enables you to search for availability, submit a request, and obtain an official certificate. Since 2022, these certificates have included a QR code for online verification, which banks and regulators are increasingly relying on. Hold onto this document; it will serve as the anchor ID for all subsequent information. MCI’s Services Publics portal lists the required documents and steps.

Step 3: Notarize documents and register at the commercial registry (MCI)

Once the name is reserved, the company’s governing documents — articles of incorporation or bylaws (in French or Haitian Creole)—must be drafted and filed. These include the corporate purpose, share structure, registered address, and shareholder details. A notary authenticates the package before submitting it to the Registre du Commerce, housed within MCI.

Upon approval, you’re issued official identifiers and company books (livres de commerce), which serve as statutory records for accounting and shareholder matters. Details and sample requirements are outlined in MCI’s registration guides.

Step 4: Publish the incorporation in the official gazette

Haitian law requires transparency for new entities. After registry approval, you must publish a notice in Le Moniteur, the government’s official gazette. This publication discloses the incorporation details to the public and creates legal effect for third parties.

It’s not optional; the notice is what gives enforceability to the company’s corporate personality. Filing is usually coordinated through MCI, but you can also access publication details via Le Moniteur’s website and official government channels. 

Step 5: Register for taxes with DGI (TIN + TCA if applicable)

The Direction Générale des Impôts (DGI) issues your tax ID (Numéro d’Identification Fiscale — NIF). Every entity must have one. If your activities fall into taxable categories (most sales and services do), you also need to register for the Taxe sur le Chiffre d’Affaires (TCA), a 10% turnover tax.

This isn’t a VAT — it’s closer to a sales tax applied at each transaction level. Staying current with DGI filings is crucial; failing to do so can freeze your ability to renew licenses or win contracts. See DGI’s official tax portal for forms and filing calendars.

Step 6: Enroll employees with ONA and OFATMA

Employers in Haiti are required to contribute to two mandatory social programs. The Office National d’Assurance Vieillesse (ONA) is the retirement fund, funded by a 6% employer and 6% employee contribution.

The Office d’Assurance Accidents du Travail, Maladie et Maternité (OFATMA) covers work-related injuries, health risks, and maternity risks; the employer pays between 2% and 6%, depending on the industry risk class. Without enrolling, you’ll be non-compliant, and employees won’t be protected. Both ONA and OFATMA have their own portals.

Step 7: Open a corporate bank account and obtain any sector licenses

Finally, take your incorporation papers, NIF, and shareholder IDs to a Haitian bank to open a corporate account. The bank will perform KYC checks and typically require proof of initial capital deposit as specified in your bylaws.

This step often overlaps with foreign investment approvals if capital is brought in from abroad. Depending on your sector — finance, telecom, healthcare, or extractives—you may need special licenses from the relevant regulatory authority.

Cost of registering a business in Haiti

Here’s an understanding of the budget for registration fees, notarization/translations, share capital, office address, bookkeeping, payroll, and taxes (CIT/TCA) for business registration in Haiti. You’ll also understand how an EOR can convert many of these into a single predictable fee.

Registration and state fees

• MCI filings (trade name, commercial registry): $75–150
• Gazette publication (Le Moniteur): $200–400
• Notarization and legalization: $250–500

Share capital

• SARL: Capital amount is set in the bylaws (no statutory minimum).
• SA: Typically requires at least $190–200, with bank proof of deposit.

Legal, notary, and translations

• Notary and drafting of incorporation documents: $250–600
• Certified translations (French/Creole): $50–100 per page, depending on volume

Registered address/office address

• Co-working or private office space in Port-au-Prince: $70–330 per month
• Registered address renewal: $75–200 annually

Accounting, payroll, and annual maintenance

• Bookkeeping and accounting: $1,000–2,000 annually for SMEs
• Tax filings (corporate + VAT): $300–700 annually
• Payroll administration: $50–100 per employee/month (outsourced)
• Employer contributions: Approx. 14%+ of gross salary (6% to ONA, 2–6% to OFATMA, plus other payroll charges)

Taxes

• Corporate income tax (CIT): 30%
• Turnover tax (TCA): 10%

Here’s how traditional registration compares with EOR services based on current fees:

How an Employer of Record (EOR) simplifies company registration in Haiti 

Expanding into Haiti doesn’t need to begin with stacks of notarized bylaws. With an EOR, you can hire local employees on compliant contracts, run payroll in HTG, and stay aligned with DGI/ONA/OFATMA, without forming a company.

It’s ideal for pilots, sales teams, or contractor conversions while you assess licensing and banking.

• Faster start: Onboard in days, not months.
• Lower upfront costs: Skip capital deposit, gazette, and registry fees.
• Payroll handled: Salaries, tax withholding, and social charges done right.
• Compliance coverage: Local contracts, benefits, and terminations aligned to Haitian law.
• Scale flexibly: Add roles or transition to your own entity later.

What is the difference between standard company registration and expanding through an EOR in Haiti?

When entering Haiti, you can form a local entity (full control, bank account, direct contracts) or use an EOR (speed, simplicity, and lower risk while you validate the market). Entities require MCI/DGI/ONA/OFATMA registrations and gazette publication; EORs let you operate with a legal employer already in place; no articles to notarize, no address lease, no social-security setup on day one.

Compare your expansion options with this comprehensive breakdown:

In short, building your own entity is a marathon, while plugging into an EOR like Multiplier is a sprint.

Cost comparison: Standard registration vs. EOR

Hiring an EOR helps you reduce admin burden, streamline payroll, simplify onboarding, and improve cost efficiency with one contract and invoice.

Full incorporation gives you total control, but an EOR gets you market-ready without the wait.

Take the stress out of your Haiti expansion with Multiplier

Expanding into Haiti doesn’t have to be complicated. With Multiplier, you get a streamlined, compliant pathway that removes the guesswork and heavy lifting. Here’s how we make your Haiti expansion simple, fast, and predictably compliant:

• Compliant hiring and contracts: We generate compliant contracts aligned with Haitian labor law, including FR/HT compliance.
• Seamless onboarding: Employees are onboarded quickly with right-to-work checks, benefits enrollment, and localized support.
• Automated payroll management: Salaries are processed in HTG with PAYE, ONA, and OFATMA contributions taken care of.
• Regulatory assurance: We eliminate the need for multi-agency filings, notarizations, and bureaucratic hurdles.
• Future-ready flexibility: When you decide to establish your own entity, we support smooth employee migration.

Still weighing the benefits of entity setup versus an EOR in Haiti?

Book a demo and we’ll show you the most compliant, cost-efficient path to hiring locally.

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