When the requirement starts
The amended order was issued October 28 and published in the Federal Register October 30. Its effective time is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on November 3, 2026. Flights departing a foreign country at or after that time fall within the requirement.
The order is an operational boarding requirement. The relevant event is the U.S.-bound flight’s departure, rather than the date a ticket was purchased or the employee first began a multi-leg trip.
Which employees and flights are covered?
CDC says the requirement covers people arriving by air from any foreign country, including U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and permanent residents. Sponsored employees and accompanying family members fall within that broad coverage as well.
It also reaches flights connecting through the United States to another destination. The October 28 amendment clarifies coverage of crew members and cargo aircraft; a flight simply passing over the United States without landing is outside the order’s stated scope.
| Travel situation | What the published order requires |
|---|---|
| An employee returning from a country other than the DRC | A declaration is still required for a covered U.S.-bound flight, unless a government exemption applies. |
| A trip with a recent connection through a DRC airport | Airport transit counts when determining presence in the DRC during the previous 21 days. |
| An itinerary connecting through the United States | The requirement also applies when the U.S. is a transit stop. |
How the declaration is collected
Airlines and aircraft operators collect the declaration in paper or authenticated digital form. They must confirm it at or shortly before boarding and prevent boarding without a completed declaration or an applicable government exemption. CDC provides a fillable form and implementation instructions for carriers.
The order permits a parent or authorized representative to act for a person younger than 18. It also allows an authorized representative to assist a person who cannot act on their own behalf. The carrier’s process determines how the declaration is presented during the trip.
Recent DRC travel and government exemptions
CDC’s instructions count a connection through a DRC airport even when the traveler stays in the airport or on the aircraft. A person with recent presence there may be unable to board a covered flight without a government-issued exemption.
The published exceptions include certain U.S.-authorized medical transport and exemptions CDC issues for humanitarian or other important government considerations. These are specific exceptions to the declaration requirement.
How long the published order runs
The Federal Register notice sets an end time of 11:59 p.m. EST on December 18, 2026. It also permits earlier amendment or rescission. Subsequent agency action could therefore change the requirement or its duration.
For an employer coordinating an employee’s return, this declaration is an additional airline step alongside the person’s visa and immigration documentation. The CDC page links to the current order, carrier instructions and the declaration form.
Sources
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Immigration outcomes depend on individual facts and current agency guidance.