Since November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, every person boarding an international flight to the United States must present a signed declaration that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in the 21 days before boarding. The requirement comes from an order of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the United States public health agency, and applies to flights departing from any foreign country, including Brazil.
What changed at boarding
The CDC order was signed on October 22, 2026, and published in the Federal Register on October 27, under document number 2026-21828. On October 28, the CDC published an amended order, recorded in the Federal Register on October 30, under document number 2026-22211.
The requirement took effect on November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST), and applies to flights departing from a foreign country to the United States at or after that time. In Brasília time, that moment was 1:59 a.m. on November 4.
The declaration is a signed statement, on paper or in digital form, that the person has not been present in the DRC in the 21 days before boarding. The official form is available in English, Spanish, and French.
Who must sign the declaration
The requirement covers every person on board an aircraft bound for the United States from a foreign country. The text of the amended order records that the requirement applies to passengers and crew members, including crew traveling without operating the aircraft, and to commercial, cargo, general aviation, and private flights.
The order also applies to United States citizens, United States nationals, and lawful permanent residents, known as Green Card holders.
The requirement also applies to anyone only connecting through the United States on the way to another country, even without disembarking or leaving the airplane during the stop. The text of the order records that the requirement covers any flight arriving in the United States, whether the country is the final destination or the flight only connects through the United States. It does not apply to flights that only fly over the United States without landing, or to land border crossings or seaports.
What the declaration states
The declaration states that the person has not been present in the DRC in the 21 days before boarding. The text of the order defines presence in the DRC as any physical presence, including entering or traveling through the country by air, land, or sea. The definition includes connecting through an airport in the DRC, even if the passenger did not leave the airplane or the airport.
The reason recorded in the order is the Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the DRC. The text of the order records that, as of October 18, 2026, the DRC had 9,455 confirmed cases and 4,561 deaths, in 66 health zones across eight provinces. The incubation period for the disease is 2 to 21 days, and the order records that an infected person may travel before showing symptoms.
The order does not require an Ebola test or a vaccination certificate. The only document required by the order is the signed declaration about presence in the DRC in the 21 days before boarding.
How to count the 21 days
The 21 days are counted in calendar days, and the text of the order defines the count precisely. The day the person leaves the DRC is Day 0, and Day 1 is the first full calendar day outside the DRC. A person who was in the DRC may board a flight to the United States starting on Day 22, provided they meet all other travel requirements. Travel to the United States is not allowed on Days 0 to 21.
An example recorded on the CDC page shows the count: a person who leaves the DRC on November 5 has Day 21 on November 26, and Day 22, the first day boarding is allowed, is November 27.
What happens without signing
The airline must confirm, at or shortly before boarding, that every person on board has completed the declaration. The text of the order records that the airline may not board any person who has not completed and presented the declaration, unless the person has an exemption issued by the United States Government. A person who refuses to sign the declaration will not be allowed to board the flight to the United States.
The airline must keep a copy of each person’s declaration for at least 42 days after the flight departs for the United States, and provide the declaration to the United States Government when asked.
A false declaration has a consequence recorded in the order. A person who knowingly and willfully submits a false declaration may be prosecuted by the United States Department of Justice, under the federal law 18 U.S.C. 1001, which covers false statements to the government.
What the declaration does not replace
The declaration is a public health document, and it does not replace a visa or authorization to enter the United States. A Brazilian traveler still needs a visa to enter the United States, and the CDC declaration does not change that requirement. Brazil is not on the list of countries in the Visa Waiver Program, the program that waives the visa for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, published by the United States Department of State. The list includes countries such as Chile, Portugal, and Spain, and does not include Brazil.
The declaration also does not replace a valid passport or an American visa. Status options for people already in the United States are in the article on status options (https://meridianglobalmobility.com/en/already-in-us-status-options/), and pathways by profile are in the guide comparing immigration pathways (https://meridianglobalmobility.com/en/compare-immigration-pathways/).
Exemptions under the order are narrow. The text of the order records two cases: an aircraft designated for air medical transport of people with Ebola, with authorization from the United States Government and in line with CDC guidance, and a person for whom the CDC has issued an exemption based on humanitarian considerations or other important government considerations. The CDC page records that exemptions are rare.
How long the requirement lasts
The amended order remains in effect until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on December 18, 2026, unless it is amended or rescinded earlier, by decision of the Secretary of Health and Human Services or a person designated by the Secretary.
The date of December 18 is from the amended order of October 28. The original order, of October 22, set the end date at December 17, and the amended order extended the period by one day, and also clarified that the requirement applies to crew members. The requirement has been in effect since November 3.
Other deadlines this week: comments on ending the 60-day grace period close today, November 10 (https://meridianglobalmobility.com/en/dhs-proposal-end-60-day-grace-period-job-ends/); comments on the proposed OPT fee closed on November 9 (https://meridianglobalmobility.com/en/dhs-proposed-opt-fee-70000-first-30000-subsequent/); and the new EB-5 fees apply to postmarks on or after November 30 (https://meridianglobalmobility.com/en/eb-5-fees-rise-november-30-i526-i526e/). The EB-5 program page (https://meridianglobalmobility.com/en/eb-5/) presents the category and its basic requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to print the declaration before going to the airport?
Not necessarily. The airline provides and collects the declaration before boarding, on paper or in digital form. The CDC page records that travelers should check with the airline how the declaration will be collected on their flight. A person may keep a copy, but the airline keeps the record.
What if I am only connecting through the United States?
The requirement applies to people only passing through the United States to reach another country, whether or not they disembark.
What if I only connected through the DRC?
Connecting through an airport in the DRC counts as presence in the country, even without disembarking. The text of the order records that presence includes connecting through a DRC airport, even if the passenger did not leave the airplane or the airport. Boarding is allowed from Day 22.
Do children need to sign the declaration?
The declaration is required for every person on board, but a parent or another authorized person may complete and sign the declaration on behalf of a passenger under 18 years of age. An authorized person may sign for each member of the traveling party.
Does the declaration apply to travel by car or ship?
No. The CDC page records that the requirement applies only to air travel to the United States or connecting through the United States. The requirement does not apply to land border crossings or seaports.
Official sources consulted
- CDC — Order: Requirement for Attestation by All Persons Traveling by Air to the United States: https://www.cdc.gov/port-health/legal-authorities/attestation-order.html
- Federal Register — Requirement for Attestation for All Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving in the United States From Any Foreign Country, October 27, 2026, document 2026-21828: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-10-27/html/2026-21828.htm
- Federal Register — Notice of Amended Order Requirement for Attestation by All Persons Arriving in the United States From Any Foreign Country Via Transportation by Aircraft, October 30, 2026, 91 FR 68518, document 2026-22211: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-10-30/html/2026-22211.htm
- U.S. Department of State — Visa Waiver Program (list of participating countries): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html
Disclaimer and compliance notice: Meridian Global Mobility (MGM) provides operational coordination, document organization, and logistical support for Brazil–U.S. mobility projects. MGM is not a law firm and does not provide legal services, legal advice, or representation before government agencies. Any legal services are provided independently by licensed, independent attorneys in the United States. The content of this article is informational and does not constitute consulting or an eligibility determination.