Travel information
Before a US-bound flight, check the last 21 days—not just your passport
2026-11-04
A passport and visa check is no longer enough for every US-bound journey. After 11:59pm Eastern Time on 3 November 2026, every person boarding an international flight to—or connecting through—the United States must sign an attestation confirming that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days.
The route history matters, including some connections
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says travellers who have been in the DRC within the previous 21 days cannot board a flight with a US destination. The rule includes US citizens and nationals, and it also covers transit through the DRC—even when a passenger did not leave the airport or aircraft.
Separate restrictions apply to recent presence in Uganda or South Sudan. Non-US citizens and non-US nationals, including lawful permanent residents, may be refused US entry if they were there during the previous 21 days. US citizens and nationals who were in Uganda or South Sudan, but not the DRC, may be routed through designated US airports for public-health screening.
Four checks to make before the airport
- 1. Write down every country and airport used during the previous 21 days, including airside connections.
- 2. Check the latest CDC order and your airline’s boarding instructions; do not rely on an old itinerary note or a third-party summary.
- 3. Make sure the traveller understands the attestation and answers truthfully. A companion may help organise records, but should not guess or answer on the traveller’s behalf.
- 4. If the itinerary is affected, contact the airline before travelling to the airport and record the response, booking reference and any promised alternative.
What happens if the airline cannot carry you?
The US Department of Transportation’s 28 October enforcement notice says airlines must continue to provide passenger protections when these restrictions prevent travel. Depending on the circumstances, that can include rebooking, a prompt refund or a transferable voucher valid for five years. The notice is an official consumer-protection direction; it is not a promise that every booking will be handled identically.
For families, the practical risk is a broken handover
A last-minute denial can affect more than the ticket: airport assistance, medication timing, hotel bookings, onward pickups and the person waiting at the destination may all need to change. Build a contact tree before departure, decide who is authorised to speak to the airline, and keep essential items in cabin baggage in case the journey is delayed.
Where PRESENT & ABLE can help
PRESENT & ABLE can help organise an itinerary review, document checklist, family contact plan and revised handover arrangements within an agreed scope. We do not provide medical, legal or immigration advice, and airline and border authorities retain all boarding and entry decisions.
For a journey involving several sectors, an older traveller or a time-sensitive handover, see our travel support services or request a discreet initial discussion.