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Corporate travel
Flights to the U.S.: new CDC attestation starts November 3
From Nov 3, 2026, everyone boarding a flight to the U.S. must attest they were not in the DRC in the previous 21 days. What companies should do.
5 min read
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has created a new requirement for anyone flying to the country: starting November 3, 2026, at 11:59 pm Eastern Time (1:59 am on November 4 in Brasília), everyone boarding an international flight to the United States must attest that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days before boarding.
The measure responds to the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC and is set out in the CDC order issued on October 22 and amended on October 28. It applies to everyone, including people who have never been to Africa. At ArrowTur, which has managed corporate travel since 1989, we have summarized what changes for business travelers and what to tell your team now.
What changes
- Who must attest: everyone boarding a flight to the U.S. or connecting through the country, of any nationality, including U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The rule also covers crew members and private aircraft.
- What is attested: that the person was not physically present in the DRC during the 21 days before boarding for the U.S.
- Starting when: flights departing another country for the U.S. at or after 11:59 pm Eastern Time on November 3.
- How it works: the attestation is signed on paper or digitally, and the airline must confirm it was completed, usually at check-in or at the gate.
- No attestation, no boarding: the airline must refuse boarding to anyone who has not attested, unless the U.S. government has granted an exemption.
People who were in the DRC cannot board
Under CDC rules, anyone who was in the DRC during the 21 days before the flight cannot board flights to the U.S., including U.S. citizens. A connection through a DRC airport also counts as being present in the country, even without leaving the plane.
The count is by calendar day. The day the person leaves the DRC is Day 0, and boarding is allowed only from Day 22. For example, someone leaving the country on November 1 may board for the U.S. from November 23.
Uganda and South Sudan have their own rules
The attestation covers only the DRC, but another restriction is in effect. Foreign nationals, including green card holders, who were in Uganda or South Sudan during the previous 21 days cannot enter the U.S., even if they only connected there without leaving the plane. The CDC renews this restriction periodically. U.S. citizens coming from those two countries may enter, but must pass through one of the airports designated for screening: Washington-Dulles, Atlanta or New York JFK.
Who signs for children and companions
Travelers under 18 do not sign for themselves: a parent, guardian or other authorized adult signs for them. A companion or an adult in the same travel party may also sign for another person who authorizes it. Even so, the airline must keep a record for each passenger.
A false statement is a crime in the U.S.
The CDC warns that willfully providing false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment under U.S. federal law. It is worth checking the travel history before signing, especially on multi-stop itineraries.
What your company should do now
- Tell everyone with a U.S. trip from November 3 onward, including people who only connect through the country on the way to another destination.
- Check itineraries from the last 21 days. Anyone who passed through the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan, even on a connection, may need to rebook. Do the math before buying the ticket.
- Tell the team to follow the airline’s process. Each carrier may collect the attestation differently, during online check-in or at the airport. Allow extra time for boarding in the first few days.
- Decide who signs on group trips and for minors.
- Add the topic to your travel policy for anyone working in Africa, with the 21-day rule built into trip planning.
Trips to the U.S. with ArrowTur
When an entry rule changes, our team reviews itineraries, alerts the traveler and looks for alternatives if a rebooking is needed, Monday to Friday, 7 am to 7 pm (Brasília time), with an emergency on-call service outside those hours. For your company, that means less risk of denied boarding and more control over the trip.
Learn about our corporate travel management or talk to our sales team on WhatsApp or by phone at +55 11 5189-4120.
Official sources: CDC attestation order, CDC guidance for travelers and CDC entry suspension order. Rules may change: always confirm the latest version before traveling.
Frequently asked questions
Do people who have never been to the Democratic Republic of the Congo also need to attest?
Yes. The attestation applies to everyone boarding an international flight to the U.S. or connecting through the country, regardless of where they board.
When does the requirement start?
On flights departing another country for the U.S. at or after 11:59 pm Eastern Time on November 3, 2026. In Brasília, that is 1:59 am on November 4.
Does a connection in the DRC count?
Yes. Passing through a DRC airport counts as being present in the country, even without leaving the airport or the plane.
How long must a traveler wait after leaving the DRC?
The day of departure is Day 0, and boarding for the U.S. is allowed only from Day 22.
