DHS Issues Landing Order for Flights From DR Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan

The United States government has implemented restrictive entry measures for travelers arriving from three African nations following an Ebola outbreak, with health screening operations concentrated at Dulles International Airport in Virginia.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a temporary public health order effective May 18, 2026, suspending the entry of non-U.S. Citizens who have recently been present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan.

CDC Entry Restrictions and Timelines

Under the terms of the public health order, the suspension applies to non-U.S. Citizens who were physically present in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan within the 21 days prior to seeking entry into the United States.

The restriction is based strictly on physical presence within the affected countries and is not determined by the traveler’s citizenship or nationality. The CDC has noted that transit travel may also trigger the restriction if the travel involved entry into any of the three specified countries.

The order is currently scheduled to remain in effect for a 30-day validity period. During this time, the CDC will evaluate whether continued restrictions are necessary to manage the public health risk associated with the Ebola outbreak.

Exemptions and Affected Travelers

Certain groups are exempt from the entry suspension. The order does not apply to U.S. Citizens or U.S. Lawful permanent residents, such as green card holders.

U.S. Authorities may grant case-by-case exceptions for individuals based on humanitarian, law enforcement, public safety, or public health reasons. The suspension also does not apply to those entering through specific processes approved by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that include established mitigation protocols.

The order significantly impacts nonimmigrant visa holders. Students, scholars, employees, and visitors holding F, J, H, O, TN, or B statuses who have recently traveled to or transited through the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan may be refused entry into the United States or denied boarding for flights. These individuals may be barred from entry until at least 21 days have passed since their departure from the affected countries.

DHS Arrival Protocols

The Department of Homeland Security has announced flight arrival restrictions for passengers originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan to complement the CDC’s public health order.

To manage these arrivals and implement health controls, the government has concentrated screening efforts at Dulles International Airport in Virginia.