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People planning to travel to the United States by air must prepare to comply with a new health requirement that will go into effect at the beginning of November. The measure was announced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will apply to virtually all passengers flying from abroad to U.S. territory.
The new provision is part of the public health actions implemented by the U.S. government to reduce the risk of the introduction of the Ebola virus through international travel.
What changes starting November 3, 2026?
The CDC issued an order on October 22, 2026, and subsequently a modified version on October 28, 2026, stating that every person boarding an international flight destined for the United States, or connecting through the country, must sign an affidavit certifying that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days prior to boarding.
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The measure will go into effect on November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time and will apply to all international flights departing from a foreign country to the United States from that moment on.
Who must present the declaration?
The requirement has a broad scope. According to the amended order, it applies to:
- Ciudadanos estadounidenses.
- Residentes permanentes legales (titulares de Green Card).
- Nacionales estadounidenses.
- Extranjeros que viajen a Estados Unidos.
- Pasajeros en tránsito que únicamente hagan conexión en territorio estadounidense.
- Miembros de la tripulación, incluidos trabajadores de aeronaves de pasajeros y de carga.
In other words, virtually every person arriving by air from abroad must complete the certification.
What must travelers declare?
The declaration consists of confirming, via physical or digital signature, that the passenger has not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the 21 days prior to the flight to the United States.
Authorities clarified that "having been present" in that country is considered to be the case even if a person only transited through a Congolese airport, even if they did not leave the plane or the airport area.
Why did the United States implement this measure?
According to the CDC, the certification aims to reduce the risk of Ebola being introduced into the United States by travelers arriving from or recently present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The agency explained that the 21-day period corresponds to the maximum known incubation period of the disease, that is, the time between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms.
What happens if you don't sign the declaration?
Airlines will be required to verify that passengers have completed the certification before boarding. If a person refuses to sign it and does not have an exemption granted by the U.S. government, they will not be allowed to board the plane.
Additionally, airlines must keep a copy of each declaration for at least 42 days after the flight's arrival in the United States and submit it to authorities if requested.
Will there be penalties for providing false information?
Yes. The CDC warns that the certification constitutes an official statement regarding the passenger's recent travel history. Providing false information intentionally can lead to legal proceedings, fines, and even prison sentences.
Does it apply to private flights and general aviation?
Yes. The order is not limited to commercial airlines. It also covers private flights, general aviation, and any aircraft transporting passengers to the United States from a foreign country.
Does it apply to land crossings from Mexico or Canada?
No. The CDC specified that this certification will only be required for air travel to the United States or for flights that have a layover in the country. Land crossings and seaports are not subject to this order.
Minors and persons with disabilities
Those under 18 years of age must have the signature of a parent, legal guardian, or authorized person on the declaration. Likewise, if a traveler has a disability and cannot complete the document themselves, another authorized person may do so on their behalf.
What travelers should know
If you have a trip scheduled to the United States after November 3, 2026, it is likely that during the check-in process or before boarding your flight you will be asked to confirm that you have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the previous 21 days. The requirement will apply even to passengers who are only transiting through the United States en route to another country.
U.S. authorities recommend that airlines integrate this declaration into their digital registration and boarding systems to streamline the process and ensure compliance with the new health measure.
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