Physical Health Attestation Form Required for All US-Bound Air Passengers
Emirates has issued an urgent travel update requiring all passengers flying to the United States to present a signed physical health attestation at check-in or the boarding gate.
Under a federal directive from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every traveler heading to America, regardless of nationality or origin, must formally declare whether they have visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo within the previous 21 days. The public health requirement came into force at 11:59 PM EST on November 3, 2026, and applies to all direct and connecting international flights.
| Requirement Parameter | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Travellers | All passengers, US citizens, operating crew, and repositioning crew |
| Declaration Window | Presence in DR Congo within the past 21 days |
| Document Format | Printed physical copy signed by passenger or authorised representative |
| Verification Point | Check-in desk or boarding gate for transit passengers |
| Effective Date | 11:59 PM EST on November 3, 2026 |
Paper Forms Mandatory at Check-in
The updated screening rules leave no room for digital substitutes on arrival. Emirates instructs passengers to download and print the attestation form from the US government website prior to reaching the airport. Each traveler requires an individual document, though authorised representatives may complete and sign on behalf of minor dependents or passengers needing assistance.
For Dubai departures, ground agents verify physical forms at check-in counters. Connecting passengers joining US-bound legs through Dubai International Airport will face document checks at the boarding gate before entering the jetbridge.
An amended order issued on October 28 clarified that the mandate covers all individuals on board an aircraft. Beyond commercial passengers and US citizens returning home, operating flight crew and off-duty crew members traveling in a non-operating capacity on repositioning flights are subject to the same filing requirements.
Preventive Ebola Protocols in Effect
The CDC enacted the attestation requirement as a preventive control to limit the risk of Ebola entering the US via international air corridors. While Africa CDC records show the current outbreak has killed approximately 4,700 people across the African continent, the US health agency confirmed that no cases linked to the outbreak have been identified within the United States, keeping overall public risk low.
Travelers booked on upcoming US services should complete their paper documentation before arriving at the airport terminal to avoid delays during document verification.
