Calculate your earliest boarding date
Earliest boarding date: –
| Day 0 (left country) | – |
|---|---|
| Day 1 (first full day outside) | – |
| Day 21 (last restricted day) | – |
| Day 22 (earliest US-bound flight) | – |
| Health-monitoring window ends | – |
Dates are calculated in calendar days from the date you enter, as CDC describes. The order is scheduled to run through 11:59 p.m. EST on December 18, 2026, unless changed.
Free downloads for travel managers
A one-page printable reference on the 21-day rule and a traveler tracker spreadsheet (CSV) for teams with staff in or near the affected region.
Download PDF Download CSV trackerWhat changed on November 3, 2026
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an order on October 22, 2026, amended October 28, that took effect at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on November 3, 2026. From that moment, everyone boarding an aircraft headed to the United States from any foreign country must sign an attestation — a short statement confirming they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days before boarding. Airlines and other aircraft operators must collect the statement and must not board anyone who does not provide it, unless the U.S. government has granted an exemption (Federal Register notice).
CDC says the 21-day period reflects the maximum incubation period for Ebola disease, and that the overall risk to the American public and travelers remains low. The order covers commercial, private, general aviation and cargo flights, applies to crew, and applies even if the United States is only a connecting point. It does not apply to land border crossings or seaports, and U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands) are not treated as foreign countries.
How the calculator counts days
- Day 0 is the calendar day you leave the DRC — including the day your plane departs a DRC airport after a stop, even if you never got off.
- Day 1 is the first full calendar day you are outside the DRC.
- Travel to the United States is not allowed on Days 0 through 21.
- You may board a US-bound flight beginning on Day 22, provided you meet all other entry requirements.
For example, someone who leaves Kinshasa on November 4, 2026 has Day 21 on November 25 and may board a US-bound flight starting November 26, 2026. Because the count uses calendar dates, time zones and departure times do not shift the result; use the local date on which you left.
For Uganda and South Sudan, CDC states that non-U.S. citizens and non-U.S. nationals — including green card holders — will not be allowed to enter the United States until 21 days after they leave. The calculator applies the same calendar-day count. U.S. citizens and nationals coming from those two countries (and not from the DRC) may travel, but their flights are routed through designated airports for screening (CDC returning-traveler guidance).
Planning business travel around the rule
For companies with staff, contractors or visitors moving through Central and East Africa, the practical effect is a three-week buffer before any US-bound flight. A few planning habits help avoid denied boarding and expensive rebookings:
- Audit connections, not just destinations. A routing that stops at a DRC airport restarts the clock even if no one deplanes. Check every segment of multi-leg itineraries.
- Book return flights on or after Day 22. Build the date into the itinerary when the trip is booked rather than at check-in.
- Know who signs. One authorized representative may attest for each member of a traveling party, and a parent or guardian signs for travelers under 18.
- Expect screening for Uganda and South Sudan. U.S. citizens returning from those countries within 21 days are routed to Washington-Dulles (IAD), Atlanta (ATL) or New York JFK, which can affect onward domestic connections.
- Track the end date. The order is currently scheduled to end December 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST, but CDC may amend or extend it. Re-check before every booking.
Need a step-by-step version for your team? See the companion US flight attestation checklist for business travel.
FAQ
How is the 21-day waiting period counted?
In calendar days. Day 0 is the day you leave the DRC; Day 1 is the first full day outside; boarding a flight to the United States is allowed starting Day 22 (CDC).
Does the rule apply to U.S. citizens?
Yes. The attestation order applies to all people boarding a flight to the United States from a foreign country, including U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents.
Does a connection through a DRC airport count?
Yes. Connecting through a DRC airport counts as being present in the country, whether or not you leave the airport or the plane.
Do I need to print the attestation form?
No. Airlines and aircraft operators provide and collect the attestation before boarding, on paper or digitally. Ask your airline how it collects the statement. You may keep a copy for your records, but you are not required to.
What if someone signs a false attestation?
CDC notes that knowingly and willfully providing false information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.
How long does the order last?
It is scheduled to remain in effect through 11:59 p.m. EST on December 18, 2026, unless amended or rescinded earlier.
Who can I contact for help?
U.S. citizens needing consular help can call the State Department at +1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and Canada or +1-202-501-4444 from elsewhere. CDC lists [email protected] for travelers who have been outside the affected countries for more than 21 days and need help with a travel restriction.
Why is this trending?
The new pre-boarding form took effect overnight on November 3–4, 2026 and was widely reported (for example, Newsweek via Yahoo News).