Ebola Travel Ban 2026: What USA Immigration Applicants from DRC, Uganda & South Sudan Must Know Right Now

On May 18, 2026, the United States government took an unprecedented step in public health and immigration policy: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) invoked Title 42 of the U.S. Public Health Service Act to bar the entry of non-U.S. citizens who have been in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda, or South Sudan within the last 21 days. Simultaneously, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) suspended all visa operations at American embassies in Kinshasa, Juba, and Kampala, effective immediately. The cause: a fast-moving Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo ebolavirus variant.

For immigrants, asylum seekers, visa applicants, and families with ties to these three countries, this development is deeply personal. If you or a loved one have been in the DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan recently — or if you have a pending visa application at one of these U.S. embassies — this order directly affects your ability to travel to or enter the United States. Understanding exactly what is happening, who is affected, and what steps you can take is critical right now.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know in plain language, so you can make informed decisions and protect your immigration status during this public health emergency.

What Is the Title 42 Ebola Travel Ban and How Does It Work?

Title 42 is a section of the U.S. Public Health Service Act that gives the CDC broad authority to restrict the entry of individuals into the United States when the agency determines that there is a serious danger of the introduction of a communicable disease. Historically, this authority has been used at the southern border during public health emergencies, but this marks one of the first times it has been specifically applied to restrict entry based on travel from countries experiencing an Ebola outbreak.

Under the May 18, 2026 CDC order, the following rules apply:

• Who is barred: Any non-U.S. passport holder who departed from, or was present in, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan in the 21 days prior to their intended date of entry into the United States.
• Duration: The order is in effect for 30 days from May 18, 2026, meaning it is currently set to expire on or around June 17, 2026 — unless extended by the CDC.
• Who is exempt: U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are not subject to this order. They may still enter the United States, though they may be subject to health screening and monitoring upon arrival.
• Affected nationalities: This applies to nationals of any country who have been physically present in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the 21-day window — not just citizens of those countries. A French national who was in Kinshasa for business, or an Indian national visiting relatives in Uganda, would also be subject to this restriction.

The Bundibugyo ebolavirus involved in this outbreak is one of several known Ebola strains. An American doctor working in the DRC’s northeastern Bunia region tested positive for this strain, which prompted the U.S. government to escalate its response. Public health officials note that Ebola is not airborne and requires close contact with infected individuals or bodily fluids, but given the severity of the disease and the ongoing international spread, the CDC and DOS acted quickly.

U.S. Embassy Visa Services Are Paused in Three Countries

In addition to the entry ban, the Department of State announced that effective May 18, 2026, all visa services are temporarily suspended at three U.S. embassies:

• U.S. Embassy, Kinshasa — Democratic Republic of the Congo
• U.S. Embassy, Juba — South Sudan
• U.S. Embassy, Kampala — Uganda

This means that if you have a scheduled visa interview, a biometrics appointment, or any pending in-person consular processing at any of these embassies, those services are on hold. Immigrant visa applicants, nonimmigrant visa applicants (including family, work, and student visas), and diversity visa (DV) lottery winners with appointments at these locations will all be affected.

The DOS has not yet announced a timeline for when visa services will resume. The pause is directly linked to the ongoing Ebola situation and will likely remain in place until the outbreak is brought under control and it is safe for embassy staff to conduct in-person services. Visa applicants with pending appointments should monitor the individual embassy websites for updates and expect significant delays.

Who Is Most Affected by This USA Immigration Order?

This dual action — the Title 42 entry ban and the embassy visa services pause — affects several distinct groups of people:

• Nationals of DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan with U.S. visas: If you hold a valid U.S. visa but have been in one of these three countries in the past 21 days, you cannot currently enter the United States as a non-citizen. Even a valid B-2 tourist visa or H-1B work visa does not override the Title 42 order.
• Pending immigrant visa applicants: If you are going through consular processing at one of the three suspended embassies — for example, applying for an IR-1 spousal visa or an employment-based immigrant visa — your case is now on hold until embassy operations resume.
• Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners: DV-2026 winners with interviews scheduled at these embassies face a particularly urgent situation since DV visas must be issued before the end of the fiscal year (September 30, 2026). Delays may seriously impact your ability to claim your visa. Consult an immigration attorney immediately.
• Nonimmigrant visa applicants: Those applying for student visas (F-1), work visas (H-1B, L-1), or visitor visas (B-1/B-2) through these embassies will face delays in scheduling and processing.
• Recent travelers in transit: If you traveled through DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan recently — even as a layover or brief stop — you may fall within the 21-day restriction window. Airlines and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will be checking travel history.

What Should Affected Immigrants and Visa Applicants Do Right Now?

If you believe you are affected by this order, here are the most important steps to take immediately:

• Do not attempt to travel to the United States if you are a non-citizen and have been in DRC, Uganda, or South Sudan within the past 21 days. Attempting entry in violation of a Title 42 order can have serious consequences for your immigration record.
• Contact your immigration attorney as soon as possible if you have a pending visa interview or immigrant visa case at one of the suspended embassies. Your attorney can help you understand your options and monitor the situation for updates from the DOS.
• DV lottery winners should act urgently. Given the fiscal year deadline for DV visas, anyone with a DV case at a suspended embassy should seek legal counsel immediately to explore options, including the possibility of transferring the case to another U.S. embassy in a neighboring country if DOS permits.
• Monitor official sources daily. Check the CDC website, the DOS travel advisories, and the individual embassy web pages for the most up-to-date information on when restrictions will be lifted and when visa operations will resume.
• Keep all documentation organized. If your interview or appointment is postponed, make sure you have proof of your original appointment and all supporting documents ready for when services resume. Do not let any supporting documents expire during the delay — if your documents are nearing expiration, seek legal advice.
• U.S. citizens and green card holders traveling from or through these regions should be prepared for enhanced health screenings and possible monitoring requirements upon entry to the United States. The entry ban does not apply to you, but expect additional scrutiny at ports of entry.

When Will the Restrictions Be Lifted?

The CDC’s Title 42 order is set for a 30-day period, which places the initial review date around June 17, 2026. However, public health orders of this nature are routinely extended if the underlying outbreak is not contained. The Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak in DRC and the neighboring countries is still evolving, and U.S. health officials will make their determination based on whether the outbreak has been brought under sufficient control to safely lift restrictions.

Similarly, DOS will resume embassy visa services when it determines that conditions on the ground are safe enough for staff and visa applicants to interact in person. There is no fixed date for resumption at this time.

It is reasonable to expect that these restrictions could remain in place for at least 30–60 days, and possibly longer. Immigrants and visa applicants in affected categories should plan for delays and use this time to prepare their documentation, consult with an attorney, and monitor official communications carefully.

Conclusion: Stay Informed and Get Legal Guidance

The CDC’s invocation of Title 42 in response to the Ebola outbreak — and the DOS’s simultaneous suspension of visa operations in the DRC, Uganda, and South Sudan — represents a significant and rapidly evolving development in USA immigration policy. While public health emergencies of this kind are rare, they can have profound and immediate effects on immigrants, visa applicants, and families with ties to the affected region.

If you are unsure how this order affects your specific situation, do not wait. The immigration consequences of violating a Title 42 order or missing a critical visa deadline can be severe and long-lasting. Consult a qualified immigration attorney who can evaluate your case and help you navigate the right path forward.

For the full details and legal guidance, visit the American Immigration Lawyers Association at aila.org or consult a qualified immigration attorney. According to AILA Doc. No. 26051803 and 26051802 (published May 18, 2026), both the CDC Title 42 order and the DOS visa operations pause are currently in effect.