United States Implements Mandatory Health Declaration for All Air Passengers

A new health declaration is now mandatory for all passengers travelling on international flights destined for the United States. This requirement takes effect from November 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Airlines are responsible for collecting these attestations before passengers board their flights. The U.S. health authorities have maintained the original implementation schedule despite calls for reconsideration from airline industry associations.

Passengers may complete the declaration using various methods, including filling out a paper form, providing an electronic signature, or confirming a digital attestation during check-in or prior to boarding. Airline staff are also permitted to collect verbal attestations under specific conditions, provided they are properly documented. The official health attestation form is accessible as a PDF on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. Each passenger requires a separate declaration, though a parent or authorised individual may complete it for a child or another member of their travel group.

The requirement applies to all international air passengers, irrespective of their nationality or departure country. This includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and foreign nationals travelling with either a visa or an ESTA authorisation. Airline crew members must also comply with this measure. Passengers connecting through a U.S. airport are equally covered, even if the United States is not their ultimate destination. Travellers must confirm they have not visited or transited through the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the 21 days preceding their flight.

Anyone who has been in the DRC within the previous 21 days is prohibited from boarding a flight to the United States, unless they possess a specific exemption from U.S. authorities. This restriction extends to U.S. citizens and includes brief airport connections in the DRC, even if the passenger remained onboard the aircraft. Such travellers may only fly to the United States on or after the 22nd day following their departure from the DRC, provided all other entry requirements are met. The mandatory health declaration is temporary, scheduled to remain in force until December 18, 2026, unless U.S. authorities decide to extend, modify, or lift it earlier. Airlines are obligated to deny boarding to passengers who fail to provide the necessary attestation without an exemption and must retain collected declarations for at least 42 days, making them available to U.S. authorities upon request. This new declaration does not supersede existing entry requirements, such as ESTA authorisation or a U.S. visa.