CDC Attestation for US Flights From UAE: November 2026

Flying to the United States from the UAE after 3 November 2026? A new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirement will require passengers on international flights to the United States to sign an attestation confirming that they have not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) during the previous 21 days.

The requirement applies regardless of passport nationality or UAE residence, subject to limited exemptions. It is separate from your US visa, ESTA or other travel documents.

The timing matters for UAE travellers: the order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time on 3 November 2026, equivalent to 08:59 a.m. UAE time on 4 November 2026.

The New US Attestation: Key Details

Who: Passengers boarding international flights to the United States, including US citizens, US nationals and lawful permanent residents, unless exempt.
When: Flights departing for the US from a foreign country at or after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on 3 November 2026.
What: A signed statement confirming that the passenger has not been present in the DRC during the preceding 21 days.
How: The airline or aircraft operator will collect the attestation in paper or digital form.
How long: The order remains in effect until it is rescinded or modified, or until 18 December 2026, whichever happens first.
Important: Separate US travel restrictions concerning recent travel to the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan may also apply.

Check the CDC’s official attestation order page before travel Link because requirements can change.

What Is the New US Attestation?

The attestation is a signed declaration of recent travel history. It is intended to reduce the risk of Ebola being introduced into the United States through air travel.

The CDC’s published form includes this statement:

“I attest that I have not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the past 21 days prior to boarding a flight to the United States.”

It is not itself a medical test or examination. It is a declaration that the information provided is true.

The CDC has published an official form for airlines and aircraft operators. Depending on the carrier’s process, passengers may be asked to complete a paper form or provide the declaration digitally.

Use the official CDC form or follow your airline’s instructions. Do not assume that every airline will collect the form in the same way.

Who Has to Complete the Attestation?

The requirement applies to passengers intending to board an international flight to the United States from a foreign country, unless they have an applicable exemption issued by the US Government.

It applies regardless of nationality or residence. This means it can affect:

UAE citizens Travel Link to the United States.
UAE residents holding Indian, Pakistani, British or other passports.
US citizens and US nationals returning from overseas.
US lawful permanent residents, commonly known as green card holders.
Travellers connecting through the United States on their way to another country.

The order also covers commercial flights, general aviation and private aircraft. It applies to flights departing from US pre-clearance locations as well.

Does every passenger need a separate form?

Yes. Each passenger requires an individual attestation.

A parent, guardian or other authorised person must sign for a traveller under 18. An authorised person may also act for someone who cannot complete and sign the form themselves because of age or a physical or mental impairment, in accordance with the CDC’s instructions.

A family should not assume that one adult’s form covers everyone Travel Link together.

Does a transit through the DRC count?

Yes. The CDC’s form defines presence in the DRC to include physical presence in the country by air, land or sea. Connecting through a DRC airport counts even if the passenger does not leave the aircraft or airport.

An aircraft that merely flies over the DRC without landing is excluded from the form’s definition of presence.

If your itinerary includes a stop in the DRC, check the CDC’s travel restrictions as well as the attestation requirement before making further arrangements.

When Does the Requirement Start for Flights From the UAE?

The CDC order takes effect at 11:59 p.m. US Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, 3 November 2026.

Converted to UAE time, this is 08:59 a.m. on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

For a flight departing the UAE, the new requirement applies when the relevant flight to the United States departs at or after that threshold. If your itinerary includes a connection in another country, check the departure time of the flight that leaves the foreign country for the United States, as well as your airline’s instructions.

Do not rely on the date alone if your flight is close to the changeover time. Confirm the requirement with your carrier before departure.

What Happens If You Do Not Complete the Attestation?

The CDC requires airlines and aircraft operators to confirm, at or before boarding, that passengers have completed the attestation. A passenger who does not complete and present it, and does not qualify for an exemption, must not be allowed to board.

The CDC’s order also requires airlines and aircraft operators to:

Collect and retain each passenger’s completed attestation for at least 42 days after the flight arrives in the United States.
Provide the attestation to the US Government if requested.
Maintain a process for collecting and retaining the statement in paper or digital form.

Failure to comply may carry criminal penalties under the order. Knowingly and willfully providing false or misleading information may lead to criminal fines and imprisonment under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.

Passengers should answer truthfully. Do not sign a statement that conflicts with your travel history.

Can Anyone Be Exempt?

The CDC identifies limited exceptions, including:

Aircraft transporting passengers with Ebola disease under US Government authorisation and in accordance with CDC guidance.
Individuals for whom the CDC has issued an exemption based on humanitarian or other important government considerations.

Ordinary tourists and business travellers should not assume they qualify for an exemption. If you believe an exception may apply to your circumstances, confirm this through the relevant US authorities before Travel Link.

Important: The Attestation Is Not the Only Ebola-Related Travel Rule

The new attestation is separate from existing temporary US travel restrictions related to the Ebola outbreak. Completing the form does not override those restrictions.

According to the CDC’s current travel guidance:

If you have been in the DRC within the past 21 days

Travellers, including US citizens and US nationals, who have been in the DRC within the previous 21 days are not allowed to board flights to the United States. Airport connections in the DRC count, even if the passenger did not disembark.

The CDC says travellers should remain outside the United States until at least 21 days after leaving the DRC. Its guidance describes the first day outside the DRC as Day 1 and indicates that travel may resume from Day 22, provided all other requirements are met.

If this applies to you, do not submit a false attestation or assume that completing the form will permit you to fly. Contact your airline and consult the CDC’s current travel guidance before making further arrangements.

If you have recently been in Uganda or South Sudan

Separate temporary restrictions also apply to certain travellers who have recently been in Uganda or South Sudan. The CDC’s current guidance says non-US citizens and non-US nationals, including lawful permanent residents, who have been in either country within the previous 21 days may be barred from entering the United States during that period.

US citizens and US nationals who have recently been in Uganda or South Sudan may be required to enter through designated US airports for public health screening.

These rules are distinct from the new attestation. Because the restrictions can change, check the CDC’s current guidance for travellers returning from Ebola-affected areas before Travel Link.

Is This the Same as a US Visa or ESTA?

No. The attestation is an additional boarding requirement. It does not replace a US visa, ESTA or any other entry document required for your journey.

The attestation also does not guarantee boarding or admission to the United States. Airlines must follow the applicable boarding rules, and US authorities retain responsibility for immigration and entry decisions.

For related guidance, see Travel Link Relocation’s articles:

What Should UAE-Based Travellers Do Before Flying to the US?

Use the following practical checklist before departure.

1. Check your travel history. Confirm whether you have been physically present in the DRC during the previous 21 days. Remember that a connecting stop at a DRC airport counts, even if you stayed on the plane.

2. Follow your airline’s instructions. Ask how the attestation will be collected for your itinerary. The airline may provide a paper form or a digital process.

3. Complete a separate attestation for each passenger. Parents, guardians or other authorised persons should follow the CDC’s rules for signing on behalf of a child or someone unable to act for themselves.

4. Answer truthfully. Do not sign the declaration if it would be false. If you have recently been in the DRC, consult the CDC’s separate travel restrictions before attempting to travel.

5. Check for other restrictions. Recent travel to Uganda or South Sudan may trigger separate requirements depending on your nationality and circumstances.

6. Recheck official information close to departure. The order may be modified or rescinded. Check the CDC website and your airline’s latest instructions.

7. Allow time at the airport. If the airline asks you to complete the form during check-in or at the boarding gate, allow enough time to comply.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a CDC attestation to fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to the US?

Yes, if your flight to the United States departs at or after the effective threshold of 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on 3 November 2026, equivalent to 08:59 a.m. UAE time on 4 November, unless an exemption applies.

Does the attestation apply to UAE residents of every nationality?

Yes. The requirement is based on boarding an international flight to the United States, not on whether you are a UAE citizen or resident.

Do US citizens and green card holders have to complete the form?

Yes. The CDC says the requirement covers US citizens, US nationals and lawful permanent residents, as well as other passengers, unless an applicable exemption applies.

What happens if I was in the DRC during the previous 21 days?

The CDC’s current guidance says travellers, including US citizens and US nationals, who have been in the DRC within the previous 21 days are not allowed to board flights to the United States. Airport transit counts. Check the separate travel restrictions and contact your airline before making arrangements.

Does connecting through the United States count?

Yes. The attestation applies to flights landing in the United States even if you are only transiting through the country to reach another destination.

Is the attestation a medical test?

No. It is a signed statement about recent travel history. Separate travel restrictions or public health screening requirements may apply depending on where you have travelled.

How long will the requirement last?

The order states that it will remain in effect until rescinded or modified, or until 18 December 2026, whichever comes first. Check the CDC’s current page for amendments before Travel Link.

Can Travel Link complete or approve the attestation for me?

Travel Link Relocation can help explain published travel requirements, but it cannot verify your personal travel history, approve an attestation or influence airline boarding decisions. Each passenger, or an authorised representative where permitted, must provide a truthful declaration.

Travel Link to the US From the UAE?

Travel Link Relocation can assist UAE-based travellers with understanding published visa requirements and preparing accurate travel documents. The new CDC attestation is separate from visa application support and must be completed in accordance with the official instructions.

Visa decisions, entry decisions and airline boarding decisions are made by the relevant authorities and carriers. Travel Link Relocation cannot guarantee appointments, boarding or entry.

Last reviewed: 26 October 2026. US public health and travel requirements can change at short notice. Confirm the latest information on the CDC website, your airline’s website and the relevant US government pages before Travel Link. This article provides general information and is not legal or medical advice.

Flying to the US From the UAE? New CDC Attestation Starts 4 November 2026