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Additional Consular Information for Americans Regarding the Ebola Outbreak

The U.S. government has established a process for U.S. citizen travelers who request assistance due to possible Ebola exposure or for transportation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, or Uganda during the ongoing Ebola outbreak. 

To reduce the risk of Ebola importation into the United States, U.S. entry for all travelers who were recently in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is temporarily restricted. 

  • All travelers who have been in the DRC within 21 days of their flight will not be allowed to board commercial flights with U.S. destinations.  This includes U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals.
  • U.S. citizens and nationals who have been in the DRC should plan to remain at a location outside of the DRC for 21 days before entering the United States.
  • Foreign nationals, including U.S. lawful permanent residents and family members, are not allowed to board flights to the United States until they have been out of Uganda or South Sudan for at least 21 days.
  • After remaining outside of the DRC for 21 days, all travelers should build in extra time before their scheduled travel to address any outstanding issues that may arise.

This includes all passengers with an intermediate stop in the DRC or on multi-stop itineraries via the DRC, regardless of whether they disembarked or stayed on the airplane.

U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who have been present in Uganda or South Sudan (and not present in the DRC) within 21 days of arrival in the United States must re-enter the United States through one of four designated airports—currently Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), and New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).  

U.S. citizens who need financial or other assistance with modifying travel plans, securing temporary lodging in a third country, or other consular services should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate. For emergencies and after-hours concerns, contact the State Department – Consular Affairs at +1 202-501-4444 (from abroad) or 1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S./Canada).

For more information, visit the CDC website: 

Travelers connecting through a third country en route to or from the DRC may experience delays or entry restrictions imposed by that country or by airlines.  U.S. citizens should plan for the possibility of travel disruptions at multiple points in their itinerary, including when departing the DRC for a country outside the U.S. where they will complete their 21-day stay, as flight delays, cancellations, or entry restrictions may affect arrival and require flexibility in travel plans.  Travelers should also plan for potential disruptions when attempting to return to the United States after completing the 21-day period, as return flights may be delayed, fully booked, or subject to new entry or health-screening requirements.  Travelers should confirm their return itinerary well in advance, monitor for changes in airline schedules or country-specific entry rules, and have a contingency plan, such as extended lodging or alternate flights, in case departure is delayed beyond the 21-day window.  If you need assistance while transiting, including financial assistance to change flights or for temporary lodging in a third country, please contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. 

U.S. citizens in the DRC, South Sudan or Uganda Requesting Assistance Because of Possible Ebola Exposure or Needing Assistance to Depart:

Contact the closest U.S. embassy.  

To find contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy, go to the International Travel Page on travel.state.gov, search for the country you are in, and review the embassy contact information on the Destination Information Page. 

CDC health officials may contact you to confirm information or conduct an Ebola risk assessment.  

U.S. Citizens with Recent Travel to DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan Entering EU Countries.

U.S. citizens with recent travel to the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan who plan to enter EU countries from outside the Schengen Zone should be prepared for possible health screenings or additional questions from immigration officials.  If transiting a Schengen country, your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond your period of stay; however, we generally recommend maintaining at least six months of validity beyond your entry date to any country.  Please review our information on U.S. Travelers in Europe.  Some countries may also require proof of sufficient funds and a return or onward plane ticket for entry.  For destination-specific entry and exit requirements, visit travel.state.gov/destination, and for more information on Schengen area visas, review the Schengen Visa page.

Travelers Denied Boarding a Flight Due to Ebola-Related Travel Restrictions.

Travelers denied boarding a flight should email [email protected]. You may receive an automated reply requesting more information. Someone will be in touch with you from that inbox.  Please note that this notification may come as a phone call or an email with a .gov address.  In the meantime, please gather all information to support your circumstances and have it ready to provide the authorized team when they reach out.

Please provide the following information for every traveler in your party to [email protected]:

  • Full name 
  • Date of birth 
  • Sex 
  • Passport country and number 
  • Telephone number with country code (for at least one person) 
  • Email address (for at least one person) 
  • Citizenship (if not United States) 
  • Current location 
  • Airport, airline, and flight number for which boarding was denied 
  • Date of planned travel to the United States, and airport, airline, and flight number for a future booked flight (if applicable) 
  • Presence in DRC, Uganda, and/or South Sudan; dates of departure.

Actions to take:

If you are planning to travel to the United States, contact your airline to confirm your flight and route.

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Last Updated: August 22, 2026

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