Boarding a Flight to America Now Requires a Promise About Congo

Anyone boarding an international flight to the United States now has to confirm one extra detail before they get a seat: that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the previous 21 days. The requirement comes from a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order and applies to every passenger, including US citizens and people connecting through another country.

The rule covers flights that leave a foreign country at or after 11:59 p.m. US Eastern time on November 3, 2026. The count works from the departure day as day zero, so a traveler may board on day 22. Even a stop at an airport in the DRC counts as having been in the country, which matters for anyone routing through the region.

Airlines carry the enforcement burden. They must refuse boarding to anyone who does not complete the attestation unless the person holds a CDC exemption, which the agency describes as rare. Carriers such as Qantas and Emirates ask for the form before check-in, but the exact process differs from airline to airline, so travelers should check their carrier’s instructions in advance.

The attestation is not a formality. False statements can lead to criminal fines or imprisonment, and the order lists no end date. For most passengers it will mean a checkbox and a signature, but those with recent travel to or through the DRC should expect to be turned away at the gate and may want to confirm their options with the airline well before departure.

Sources: CDC, Travel Monitor