From 11:59 pm EST 3 November 2026, all passengers and crew on international flights to the United States must attest.
The declaration shows the individual was not in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during 21 days before departure.
The requirement applies to every international flight arriving in the United States. It includes private charters, charter flights and other general aviation operations.
For travelers flying from India, the requirement takes effect at approximately 10:30 am IST on 4 November 2026.
The process to complete the declaration is straightforward.
Before boarding, every passenger and crew member must have a completed and signed attestation on record, including private charters.
Here is what the new CDC rule means for private aviation travelers, and prep for your next U.S. flight.
At a Glance: The New CDC Attestation Requirement
Who: All passengers and crew members on international flights arriving in the United States.
What: A signed declaration confirming that the individual has not been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during the preceding 21 days.
When: Flights departing a foreign country at or after 11:59 pm EST on 3 November 2026.
India timing: Approximately 10:29 am IST on 4 November 2026.
Which flights: Commercial airlines, private jets, charter flights, general aviation and other aircraft operations covered by the order.
Format: Paper or digital declarations, including accepted electronic signatures.
If someone has been in the DRC: They cannot provide the required declaration until they have completed the 21-day period outside the country, unless an applicable CDC exemption has been granted.
Operator responsibility: Aircraft operators must verify declarations for private charters before boarding.
They must retain copies for at least 42 days after departure.
What Does the New CDC Travel Attestation Require?
The CDC introduced the requirement in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Under its order, every individual traveling to the United States by air from another country must provide a signed declaration confirming that they have not been present in the DRC during the 21 days preceding their flight.
This is a travel-history declaration rather than a medical test. Additionally, it does not replace existing immigration, visa, or other entry requirements for the United States.
The important distinction is that the requirement is not limited to travelers arriving from countries affected by the outbreak. It applies to international flights arriving in the United States from any foreign country.
It also extends beyond commercial aviation.
Additionally, the order covers private aircraft, private charters operators, and general aviation flights.
Furthermore, Pilots and cabin crew must complete the declaration too, as must other covered crew members operating the flight.
Before boarding, the aircraft operator must review the completed declaration for each individual and confirm they have signed it.
Additionally, anyone who has not provided the required attestation cannot board, unless an applicable exemption applies.
Additionally, the operator must retain a copy of each completed declaration for at least 42 days. This retention starts after the individual’s flight departs from a foreign country for the United States.
Does the New CDC Rule Apply to Private Jets and Charter Flights?
Yes. The requirement applies to private jets, business aviation, charter flights and general aviation, not just scheduled commercial airlines.
This means that passengers traveling on privately arranged international flights must follow the same attestation requirement as those flying on commercial services.
For private charters passengers, this introduces an additional documentation step before departure. Even when an aircraft and itinerary have already been arranged, the operator must ensure that every passenger and crew member has completed the required declaration.
The requirement also applies to flights arriving in the United States when the country is only a transit point. For example, a passenger flying from Mumbai to London via New York will still need to complete the attestation before boarding the flight to the United States.
Flights that pass through US airspace without landing at a US airport are not covered by this particular order.
Does the CDC Attestation Apply to Flights from India to the US?
Yes. Any international flight arriving in the United States from a foreign country is covered, including flights departing from India.
This means passengers traveling from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and other Indian airports on private or commercial flights must comply with the requirement.
The effective time is important for travelers planning their departure.
The CDC order takes effect at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on Tuesday, 3 November 2026. This corresponds to approximately 10:29 am Indian Standard Time on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.
A flight departing India before this effective time is not covered by the new requirement. Flights departing at or after the specified cut-off must comply.
Passengers should therefore consider the actual departure time of their international flight rather than simply the date on which their journey begins.
Can One Person Complete the Attestation for a Family or Group?
The CDC allows an authorized individual to complete and sign the declaration on behalf of a passenger who is unable to do so independently.
For children under 18, a parent or another authorized individual may complete the attestation on their behalf. Similar arrangements are permitted for individuals who cannot act on their own behalf because of age or physical or mental impairment.
However, the requirement is individual. Every passenger must have a completed and signed attestation corresponding to their own details.
For families and larger traveling groups, it is best to coordinate the process with the charter operator before departure. The operator can confirm how the declarations will be collected, completed and recorded for each person.
Paper declarations and accepted digital formats are permitted, so printing is not necessarily required.
What Happens If You Have Been to the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Anyone who has been present in the DRC during the 21 days before their flight to the United States cannot truthfully provide the required attestation and will not be permitted to board, unless they have received an applicable exemption from the CDC.
The CDC counts the day of departure from the DRC as Day 0. The traveler must then complete 21 full calendar days outside the country. They may travel to the United States from Day 22.
One detail that travelers should be aware of is that time spent at an airport in the DRC during a connection also counts as presence in the country, even if the passenger remains on board the aircraft or does not leave the airport.
However, an aircraft simply flying over the DRC without landing does not constitute presence for the purposes of this requirement.
Exemptions are limited and may be granted in certain humanitarian or important government-related circumstances. These require CDC authorization and should not be assumed to apply automatically.
If anyone in your traveling party has recently visited or transited through the DRC, inform your charter operator well before departure so that the situation can be assessed.
How Should Passengers of Private Jet Charters Prepare Before Their Flight?
A little preparation before departure can help avoid unnecessary delays and ensure that all passengers and crew members are accounted for.
Here are five things to take care of before your US-bound charter:
- Verify passenger details: Ensure that every traveler’s name and personal details match their passport. Accurate information helps avoid discrepancies when completing the declarations.
- Confirm recent travel history: Check whether any passenger or crew member has been present in the DRC during the 21 days preceding the flight. This should be established well before the departure date.
- Declare all transit stops. Share the complete travel itinerary with your charter operator, including connecting airports and intermediate stops. Even a short airport connection in the DRC is relevant.
- Arrange the attestations in advance. Confirm who will complete each declaration and whether an authorized representative will sign on behalf of any other traveler. Make sure every individual has a completed declaration.
- Complete the paperwork before boarding. Coordinate with your charter operator to understand its submission process and ensure that all required declarations have been completed, signed and recorded before departure.
The attestation is a formal declaration made under US federal law. Moreover, knowingly and willfully providing false or misleading information can lead to criminal prosecution, fines, and imprisonment. All information must therefore be accurate.
How Long Will the New CDC Requirement Remain in Effect?
The CDC issued its original order on 22 October 2026 and amended it on 28 October to clarify that the requirement also applies to pilots, cabin crew and other covered crew members.
The amended order is currently scheduled to remain in effect until 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on 18 December 2026. However, the CDC may amend, extend or rescind the requirement before that date.
The CDC has described the overall risk to the American public and travelers as low and the attestation as a precautionary public health measure.
As this is a time-sensitive travel requirement, passengers and operators should check the latest official instructions before departure.
For the current requirements, exemptions and declaration instructions, refer to the CDC’s official attestation order and technical instructions.
BookMyCharters will continue to monitor relevant aviation and travel updates and communicate changes that may affect clients planning international charter journeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do US citizens need to complete the new CDC attestation?
Yes. The requirement applies to all passengers on covered international flights arriving in the United States, regardless of nationality. US citizens, permanent residents and foreign visitors are all included.
2. Does the CDC attestation apply to private jets and charter flights?
Yes. The order covers commercial airlines, private aircraft, private charters and general aviation operations arriving in the United States from foreign countries.
3. Do pilots and cabin crew also need to sign the declaration?
Yes. The amended CDC order explicitly includes pilots, cabin crew and other covered crew members. The requirement is not limited to passengers.
4. Can a family member sign the declaration on behalf of a child?
Yes. A parent or another authorized individual can complete and sign the declaration for a child under 18. An authorized individual may also act on behalf of someone who is unable to complete it independently.
5. Does the requirement apply to passengers connecting through the United States?
Yes. It applies even if the United States is only a transit point and not the passenger’s final destination.
6. What if I have transited through an airport in the DRC?
An airport connection in the DRC counts as presence in the country, even if you did not leave the airport or remained on board the aircraft. Overflying the country without landing is excluded.
7. How long must I have been outside the DRC before flying to the US?
You must complete 21 full calendar days outside the DRC. The day you leave is counted as Day 0, and you may travel from Day 22.
8. Is the CDC attestation a medical test or health screening?
No. It is a signed declaration of recent travel history. It does not replace any other applicable US immigration or entry requirements.
9. Do I need to print the attestation?
Not necessarily. Paper and accepted digital formats are permitted, including electronic signatures. Your aircraft operator will confirm its preferred submission process.
10. When does the new requirement come into effect?
It applies to international flights departing foreign countries at or after 11:59 pm EST on 3 November 2026, which is approximately 10:29 am IST on 4 November 2026.
Planning Private Charters to the US?
Whether you are arranging an international business trip, a family holiday or private charters for a group, understanding the documentation requirements before departure helps make the journey smoother.
At BookMyCharters, our team helps coordinate journeys by private charters and keeps clients informed of relevant requirements that may affect their travel plans.
Speak with our team or request a quote to plan your next private flight to the United States.
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