USA: new mandatory health declaration form

What is this new health declaration form?

• If you’re traveling to the USA from November 3, 2026 onward, you’ll need to complete a new form confirming that you have not stayed in or transited through the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 21 days before your flight to the United States. This declaration is required for everyone traveling to the USA by air, whether for a stay in the United States or a connection to another destination.
• Why this new form? This measure is being introduced as part of efforts to prevent the Ebola outbreak currently affecting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is therefore a temporary measure.
• This health declaration is mandatory for all passengers, adults and children, regardless of age or nationality. Parents must complete one form per child, signing on behalf of the child.
• Important: airlines will refuse to board anyone who does not have a completed form. Airlines are responsible for enforcing this requirement.
• This health measure is in addition to the standard entry requirements for the USA. Other requirements remain unchanged. You will still need to obtain an ESTA travel authorization or a USA visa, depending on your situation.

How do you complete the required health declaration for the USA?

This new requirement is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Here’s how to do it, step by step:

• Go to the US authorities’ website using this link. Fill in the required fields as shown below and print the document.
• In the first section, enter your first and last name exactly as they appear on your passport. For married women, use the name shown in your passport’s machine-readable zone. This is the name you use for your ESTA and airline ticket. Here’s an example:

• Check the first box. You are confirming that you “have not stayed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 21 days before boarding a flight to the United States”.

• All that’s left is to enter your name again, sign and date the form. Tip: you can enter dates in either format, since your airline will verify the form at check-in. In US format, enter the month first, then the day, then the year.

What if you’ve been to the Democratic Republic of the Congo?

• If you have traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the 21 days before your flight to the United States, you cannot complete this form. As a result, you will not be able to travel to the USA during this period. Your airline will refuse to board you.
• The solution? You must wait until the 21-day period has passed before you can complete the declaration and book a flight to the United States. In any case, we strongly advise against providing false information to US authorities.