Starting November 3, 2026, all international travelers boarding flights to the United States must complete a health declaration confirming they haven't been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for the last three weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention implemented the requirement to prevent spread of Ebola, which the World Health Organization reported had reached 9,704 confirmed cases and 4,687 deaths in the DRC as of October 20, with cases also appearing in Kenya and Nigeria.
Airlines are responsible for collecting the declarations and denying boarding to passengers who don't complete them. The rule applies to all international air travelers regardless of citizenship, including US citizens, green card holders, and airline crews. Passengers can complete declarations electronically or on paper at the airline's discretion, and one adult may fill out separate declarations for family members.
Travelers who have actually visited the DRC within the past 21 days face stricter rules. They are prohibited from boarding US-bound flights entirely, even American citizens. This restriction includes passengers who only connected through a DRC airport without leaving the plane. These travelers must remain outside the US for a full 21 days and may return on day 22.
Separate restrictions apply to travelers who recently visited Uganda or South Sudan. Americans returning from those countries must fly through Washington Dulles, Atlanta, or New York's JFK for a public health screening. Non-US citizens, including green card holders, generally must wait 21 days after leaving Uganda or South Sudan before entering the US.
Airlines must retain signed declarations for at least 42 days and provide them to the federal government upon request. Providing false information could result in criminal fines or imprisonment. The CDC order is scheduled to expire December 18, 2026, though officials can extend or end it earlier based on outbreak conditions. The rule does not apply to travelers entering by land or sea, or to passengers on flights from US territories like Puerto Rico.