Anyone planning to fly to the United States, including travelers departing from Israel, should be aware of a new requirement before boarding.

Starting at 11:59 PM EST on November 3, 2026, passengers on international flights departing for the U.S. must complete a declaration confirming that they have not been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days.

What travelers need to know:

• The requirement includes U.S. citizens and Green Card holders, even when flying from Israel or another country outside the DRC.
• The declaration must be completed before boarding. Airlines can collect it on paper or digitally, including through an electronic checkbox.
• Each passenger needs a declaration. A parent, guardian or another authorized person must sign for children under 18.
• Passengers connecting through the United States to another country are also covered.
• Airlines must deny boarding without a completed declaration unless the traveler has a U.S. government-issued exemption.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced the measure to reduce the risk of Ebola being brought into the United States. Transit through a DRC airport counts as being in the country, even without leaving the airport or aircraft.

Travelers should check with their airline before departure for instructions on completing the declaration.