Global Ebola Travel Restrictions 2026: Complete Country-by-Country Guide
Updated: August 13, 2026 | By VisasUpdate.com Editorial Team
The Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus disease (EVD) continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), prompting governments worldwide to maintain travel restrictions, entry bans, and enhanced health screening measures. The outbreak, which originated in the DRC and spread to neighboring Uganda, has now become the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak in history, surpassing 4,000 confirmed cases .
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on May 17, 2026—only the eighth such declaration in modern history . There is no approved vaccine or specific treatment for the Bundibugyo strain, which has a case fatality rate of 30% to 50%.
Latest Outbreak Statistics (as of August 7, 2026)
Country | Confirmed Cases | Confirmed Deaths | Case Fatality Rate | Status |
DRC | 4,053 | 1,850 | 45.6% | Active outbreak |
Uganda | 20 | 2 | 10% | Declared Ebola-free (July 28) |
France | 1 | 0 | 0% | Imported case (recovered) |
Totals | 4,074 | 1,852 | — | — |
Sources: DRC health authorities, WHO, BMJ
The DRC outbreak is now in its 78th day, with transmission outpacing response efforts. Five Congolese provinces are affected: Ituri (epicenter), North Kivu, South Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo. Ituri Province alone accounts for 88% of all confirmed cases .
Uganda officially declared itself Ebola-free on July 28, 2026, after completing the 42-day monitoring period following the discharge of the last patient on June 16 . However, border districts maintain strict surveillance amid continued cases in the DRC.
Country-by-Country Restrictions
United States
Status: Entry Ban & Enhanced Screening
The CDC has extended its entry ban through August 12, 2026, at 4:59 PM EDT. The ban applies to foreign national travelers who have been present in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan in the past 21 days, regardless of their country of origin .
Measure | Details |
U.S. citizens | May still enter but undergo enhanced public health screening |
Green card holders | Now included in the entry ban |
Designated airports | Washington-Dulles (IAD), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL), George Bush Houston (IAH), John F. Kennedy New York (JFK) |
Travel advisory | CDC advises against non-essential travel to Ituri, Nord-Kivu, and Sud-Kivu provinces |
Health monitoring | Travelers must monitor for Ebola symptoms for 21 days after leaving affected countries |
"The CDC has prolonged its entry ban until August 12, 2026, at 4:59 PM EDT. This restriction affects foreign national travelers who have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days, irrespective of their country of origin."
Canada
Status: Document Suspension & Mandatory Quarantine
Canada implemented a 90-day suspension (May 27 – August 25, 2026) of immigration documents for residents of countries with high or very high Ebola risk, currently including the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan .
Quarantine Requirements (May 30 – August 29, 2026):
Asymptomatic travelers who have been in affected areas within the previous 21 days must quarantine for 21 days upon arrival
Symptomatic travelers will be isolated in a hospital for additional medical evaluation
Canadian citizens and permanent residents may return subject to screening and quarantine
European Union
Status: Targeted Approach – No Entry Screenings
The EU's Health Security Committee has stated that entry screenings are not necessary for passengers arriving from the DRC and Uganda, citing low risk to the population. However, individual member states may implement their own measures .
France: Confirmed one imported case on June 24, 2026. Enhanced surveillance in place.
Saudi Arabia
Status: Entry Ban (August 2026 Update)
Saudi Arabia has imposed a travel ban on nationals from the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan amid renewed Ebola concerns .
Measure | Details |
Entry suspension | Travelers from the three affected countries |
Saudi citizens | Temporarily prohibited from traveling to these countries |
Third-country travelers | Banned if they have stayed in affected countries within 21 days before arrival |
Enhanced screening | For travelers arriving from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and the Republic of the Congo |
United Arab Emirates
Status: Visa Suspension & Entry Restrictions
The UAE has implemented visa suspensions and entry restrictions for travelers with recent connections to the DRC, South Sudan, and Uganda.
Measure | Details |
Visa suspension | New visas (including visit visas) for nationals of affected countries |
Entry restricted | Travelers coming from these countries, even if they are passing through other countries |
Entry permitted only | For those who have spent more than 21 days outside listed countries prior to arrival |
Airport screening | Strengthened screening procedures at airports |
Bahrain
Status: Entry Ban (with exception for nationals)
Bahrain is banning travelers of any nationality who come directly from or have traveled in the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda within the 30 days prior to arrival. Bahraini nationals can enter but are subject to quarantine .
Israel
Status: Entry Ban
Travelers arriving from or who have been in the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda within the past 21 days are not allowed to enter. This is not applicable to Israeli nationals and residents .
Note: Israel initially included Kenya and Rwanda but later removed them from the restricted list following diplomatic protests .
Jordan
Status: Entry Ban (with exception for nationals)
Jordan prohibits entry for travelers of any nationality (except Jordanian citizens) who visited affected countries in the 21 days before arrival. Jordanian nationals must complete a 21-day quarantine upon return .
Kuwait
Status: Entry Ban (with exception for nationals)
Kuwait bans entry for travelers of any nationality (apart from Kuwaiti nationals) who have visited affected countries during the 21 days before arrival. This applies to all travelers, including those using transit, connecting, and indirect routes.
Lebanon
Status: Nationality-Based Entry Ban
Citizens of the DRC and Uganda are presently prohibited from entering Lebanon.
Asia-Pacific Restrictions
India
Status: Enhanced Screening & Self-Declaration
India has launched the AIR SUVIDHA 2.0 online Passenger Health Self-Declaration Portal. International passengers must submit a self-declaration covering their 21-day travel history, exposure history, and related symptoms. The form may be filled out 24 hours prior to arrival .
"India advises all Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan until further notice."— Government of India Advisory
Philippines
Status: Medical Screening & Quarantine
Travelers arriving from or who have been in the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda within the past 21 days are subject to medical screening:
Symptomatic travelers: Subject to further assessment and may be quarantined
Asymptomatic travelers with no exposure: 21 days of daily health monitoring
Travelers with known exposure: Mandatory 21-day quarantine
Taiwan
Status: Entry Ban
Individuals from the DRC or Uganda are not allowed to enter Taiwan, except for:
Taiwan passport holders and Resident Certificate holders
Admitted degree students
Spouses and minor children of Taiwan passport holders
Emergency or humanitarian grounds
Thailand
Status: Designated Entry & Quarantine
Individuals arriving from the DRC or Uganda must enter through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) and are subject to mandatory daily medical screening or quarantine for up to 21 days .
Africa Restrictions
Uganda
Status: Ebola-Free (Declared July 28) – Border Controls Maintained
Uganda has officially declared an end to its Ebola outbreak after completing the 42-day monitoring period. However, border districts maintain strict surveillance :
Bundibugyo: Only one official border point (Busunga) remains open; all illegal entry points closed
Ntoroko: Lake Albert and River Semuliki patrolled to prevent unauthorized crossings
Kagadi: Screening continues at Lake Albert crossing points
Mauritius
Status: Entry Ban (with exceptions)
Business and tourist travelers who traveled to or transited through the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda within 21 days prior to June 9 are not permitted to enter. Mauritian nationals, permanent residents, work/study permit holders, and spouses may enter but must undergo mandatory 21-day quarantine.
Rwanda
Status: Entry Suspension (with exception for nationals/residents)
Rwanda has suspended entry for all travelers who have traveled to or transited through the DRC within 30 days prior to travel. Rwandan nationals and permanent residents may enter but must undergo mandatory quarantine.
Caribbean Restrictions
Bahamas
Status: Enhanced Screening & Quarantine
Bahamian nationals who have been present in affected countries within 21 days prior to arrival are subject to enhanced health screening and may be required to undergo isolation or quarantine. Foreign nationals who have been present in these countries within 30 days prior to arrival may also be subject to enhanced screening .
Curaçao
Status: Full Entry Ban
Nationals of Angola, the DRC, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda are not allowed to enter Curaçao. Visa applications from these nationalities will be refused.
Trinidad and Tobago
Status: Screening & Active Monitoring
All travelers entering from or who have visited the DRC, South Sudan, or Uganda must undergo medical screening and are subject to 21-day active monitoring.
What Travelers Must Do Now
Before You Travel:
Check the latest restrictions — rules change frequently
Monitor your health for symptoms for 21 days after leaving affected areas
Avoid non-essential travel to Ituri, Nord-Kivu, Sud-Kivu, Haut-Uele, and Tshopo provinces in the DRC
Carry documentation proving your travel history
Contact your airline to confirm boarding eligibility before departure
U.S. citizens: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
If You Develop Symptoms:
Anyone who shows symptoms consistent with Ebola within 21 days after traveling to an affected region should:
Immediately isolate from others
Contact public health authorities immediately
Avoid travel until cleared by health officials
This guide was last updated on August 13, 2026. Travel restrictions are subject to change at short notice.
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