Visited DR Congo? You’ll Need 21 Days Before a U.S. Flight
The United States has temporarily tightened entry rules for people who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as part of its Ebola response. Anyone who was in the DRC during the 21 days before a U.S.-bound commercial flight, including U.S. citizens and nationals, will not be allowed to board. The restriction also covers passengers who only transited through a DRC airport.
What Changes Before You Fly to the U.S.
- DR Congo: U.S.-bound commercial flights are blocked for 21 days after leaving the country
- Transit counts: The rule applies even if passengers stayed on the aircraft during a DRC stop
- Return: Travel can resume on day 22
- Uganda and South Sudan: Different rules apply if the traveller has not recently been in the DRC
- Screening airports: Washington Dulles (IAD), Atlanta (ATL), Houston (IAH) and New York JFK
Travellers who have been in Uganda or South Sudan, but not the DRC, face different rules. U.S. citizens and nationals may still travel to the United States, but their flights must arrive through one of four designated airports for public-health screening. The process includes a travel and symptom questionnaire, a temperature check and observation by CDC staff before most symptom-free travellers continue their journey.
The new rules may also affect how travellers plan onward journeys after arriving in the United States. Extra health screening can add time at the airport, particularly for passengers with domestic connections after an international arrival. Anyone travelling after a recent stay in Uganda or South Sudan should leave more time between flights and avoid tight connections while the enhanced screening measures remain in place.
Anyone planning travel involving the DRC should build the 21-day rule into the itinerary before buying a U.S. flight. The CDC says travellers may return beginning on day 22 after leaving the country. Rules are temporary and linked to the Ebola outbreak, so checking the latest CDC guidance before departure is essential, especially for trips involving several African countries or complex connecting flights.
