Traveling to the US will have a new requirement starting in November: who must submit a mandatory declaration before boarding the plane

All passengers on flights internationally to the United States will be required to submit a mandatory health declaration before boarding starting Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time). The measure, issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to prevent the entry of the Ebola virus by tracking who has been in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 21 days prior to travel. The order will initially remain in effect until December 18, 2026, subject to the evolution of the outbreak in central Africa.

Who is required to submit the declaration and exceptions

• Universal air scope: The rule applies to anyone taking an international flight to US territory, regardless of their nationality or the country of origin of the flight (including Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, or any other destination).
• Included travelers: Tourists with a visa or ESTA permit, US citizens, permanent residents (Green Card), travelers for work or study purposes, and transit passengers only making a layover to a third country must comply with the procedure.
• Minors and dependents: Each passenger requires an individual form (family group declarations are not permitted). In the case of minors under 18 or persons with disabilities, a parent, guardian, or authorized companion must sign on their behalf.
• Exempt routes: The requirement is exclusively for air transport; it is not requested at land border crossings from Mexico or Canada or at seaports.

What the procedure consists of and how to complete it

• Document content: No medical exam or negative Ebola test is required for the general public, but rather signing a sworn statement confirming whether or not they were in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 21 days (the maximum incubation period of the virus). Those who have visited that country will be redirected to designated US airports for specific health checks.
• Pre-boarding process: The procedure is free and is handled during digital check-in or at the airport counter before boarding the plane, either through the airline's electronic system or by submitting the official printed and signed CDC PDF form.
• Obligations and penalties: Airlines must verify the document before boarding and keep copies for at least 42 days after landing. Declaring false or misleading information carries federal fines and criminal penalties.
• Operational warning: Associations such as IATA and Airlines for America have warned about the tight timeframe to adapt computer systems, so it is recommended to review the airline's instructions 24 to 48 hours before the flight to avoid delays at the airport.