Flying to the US from November 3: sign a ‘no DR Congo stay in 21 days’ attestation to board
Key points
- Every passenger on a US-bound flight departing after 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time on November 3 must sign an attestation of no stay in DR Congo in the past 21 days.
- US citizens and passengers connecting through the US are included, and you cannot board without signing. For under-18s, a parent or similar can complete it.
- Paper and electronic forms are both accepted, and the CDC recommended collecting it on airline check-in websites or booking apps.
In this guide
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an order to keep Ebola out of the country. Every passenger on a flight that leaves for the US from abroad after 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time on November 3 must sign an attestation that they have not visited or stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DR Congo) in the past 21 days. Without a signature, you cannot board a flight to the US.
This article is based on a Kyunghyang Shinmun report on the CDC order and reports by Maeil Business Newspaper and Dailian citing Reuters. How Korean airlines will collect the form had not been reported at the time of checking, so only confirmed details are included.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Starts | Flights departing after 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time on November 3 |
| Who | All passengers on flights from abroad to the US (including US citizens and connections) |
| What you confirm | No visit or stay in DR Congo in the past 21 days (including airport transfers there) |
| How | Paper or electronic; electronic signature accepted |
| If you don't sign | You cannot board the US-bound flight |
| Under 18 | A parent or person with legal authority completes it |
What is changing
Travellers who stayed in DR Congo in the past 21 days are already restricted from boarding commercial flights to the US: foreigners since May and US citizens since July. The new order keeps that restriction and adds a requirement for airlines to collect an attestation from each passenger.
The CDC said the 21 days reflect Ebola's maximum incubation period, from exposure to the start of symptoms. The attestation is not a certificate issued by a government agency; passengers confirm for themselves that they have no stay history and sign.
Who it applies to
It covers every passenger on a flight from abroad to the US, whatever the departure country. That includes travellers flying from Korea, and US citizens too. Passengers connecting through the US to another country must also submit it.
For passengers under 18, a parent or another person with legal authority can complete it on their behalf. Cases the CDC exempts, such as on humanitarian grounds, are excluded, according to reports.
How to submit it
The attestation can be on paper or electronic, and an electronic signature is accepted. The CDC recommended that airlines let passengers fill it in electronically on their check-in website or booking app. Airlines check before boarding and cannot carry passengers who have not submitted it.
Airlines must keep signed attestations for at least 42 days after the US-bound flight departs. The CDC was reported to be holding a briefing for major US and foreign airlines on the new procedure and their obligations. Check how your airline handles it before check-in.
Points to note
A stay in DR Congo includes changing planes at an airport there, even if you did not get off the aircraft or leave the airport. Knowingly giving false information can lead to criminal penalties.
Separate entry restrictions also apply to foreigners who have visited Uganda or South Sudan, according to reports. If your route to the US passes through Africa, list where you have been over the past 21 days in advance. The CDC said no US cases linked to this outbreak have been reported so far.
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Frequently asked questions
Do travellers flying from Korea to the US need to submit it?
Yes. It covers every passenger on a flight from abroad to the US, whatever the departure country. Even if you have never been to DR Congo, you sign to confirm you have no stay history.
Does it apply if I only connect through the US?
Yes. Passengers changing planes in the US for another country must also submit it, according to reports.
Where do I fill it in?
Paper or electronic forms both work, and electronic signatures are accepted. The CDC recommended airline check-in websites or booking apps, so check your airline's instructions.
What about children?
For passengers under 18, a parent or another person with legal authority can complete it.
Sources
- Kyunghyang Shinmun (Oct 23, 2026; on the US CDC order, in Korean)
- Maeil Business Newspaper (Oct 23, 2026; CDC order via Reuters, in Korean)
- Dailian (Oct 23, 2026; via Reuters, in Korean)
Checked on
This guide is Global TripX’s summary of the information published in the sources above. It is not a first-hand review, and rules and schedules can change, so check official guidance again before you travel.
