11/01/2026
Dear Travel Partners,
The U.S. CDC has issued a mandatory order. For flights departing after 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 3, 2026, all passengers boarding an international flight to, or connecting through, the United States must sign an attestation confirming they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the 21 days before their flight. The order currently runs through December 18, 2026, unless extended. Attached is a sample email you can send to your clients.
KEY POINTS
Applies to all passengers regardless of nationality, including U.S. citizens and Green Card holders.
U.S. connecting passengers are included.
Each passenger needs their own attestation. A parent or guardian may sign for minors (confirm against the CDC form).
Airlines must deny boarding to anyone without a completed attestation and keep records for at least 42 days.
Anyone who was in the DRC within 21 days, including on a transit or stopover without leaving the aircraft, cannot board a U.S.-bound flight until Day 22 after departing the DRC. This includes U.S. citizens.
Separately, non-U.S. nationals who were in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within 21 days remain barred from U.S. entry (current order through November 10, 2026).
ACTIONS REQUIRED
Inform all customers with international travel to or through the U.S., including return legs of outbound trips.
Advise them to confirm the attestation process with their operating airline before arriving at the airport. Do not assume it can be completed at the counter.
Official CDC information: https://www.cdc.gov/port-health/legal-authorities/attestation-order.html
Please share this update with your teams to help prevent denied boarding and last-minute disruptions.
Learn who must sign the DRC travel attestation and when it's required for U.S. flights.
