U.S. Requires Travel Declaration for All Passengers Arriving After Nov 3, 2026

From 11:59 pm on 3 November 2026, the U.S. CDC will demand that every inbound passenger confirm no travel to the DRC in the previous 21 days, with airlines required to retain records for 42 days.

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced that, starting at 11:59 pm on 3 November 2026, all passengers boarding flights to the United States must submit a declaration confirming they have not been in the Democratic Republic of Congo within the past 21 days.

Airlines will collect the declaration in either digital or paper form before boarding, and must keep a copy of each passenger’s attestation for at least 42 days after the flight lands in the United States.

The CDC directive, issued on 22 October 2026, instructs carriers to deny boarding to any traveler who fails to complete the required statement.

The rule applies to all air passengers traveling to the United States from any foreign country, including those departing from pre‑clearance ports.

U.S. officials expect the measure to affect thousands of Kenyan travelers and other foreigners who now must disclose recent DRC travel when seeking entry to America.

The declaration requirement coincides with heightened Ebola concerns in Kenya after a man who travelled from the DRC via Uganda arrived in Nairobi on 3 October, later dying and infecting nine contacts.

In response, Kenya’s Ministry of Health has stepped up health screening at airports and other entry points while continuing contact‑tracing efforts.

The United States has also raised Kenya’s travel advisory to Level 3, urging Americans to reconsider travel due to health risks from Ebola and broader security concerns.