U.S. Temporarily Pauses All Visa Services in South Sudan, the DRC and Uganda and Announces New Entry Restrictions

This development comes alongside broader public health measures. For additional context, see our alert on the CDC’s foreign quarantine rule expanding entry restrictions authority.

Key Point 

• The U.S. Department of State has paused visa services at U.S. Embassies in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda as of May 18, 2026.
  The U.S. government has also introduced new public‑health measures, including a CDC 30‑day suspension order and CBP/DHS arrival‑screening requirements for certain travelers who have recently been in the affected countries.

Visa Services in South Sudan, the DRC and Uganda  

Effective May 18, 2026, the U.S. Embassies in Juba, South Sudan, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Kampala, Uganda, have temporarily paused all visa services. The suspension applies to all immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories, including visitor, business, student and exchange visitor visas.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the pause is a public‑health precaution in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the region. The Department stated that visa operations will resume once conditions allow.

Visa Services Suspended 

• No visa appointments can be scheduled at:
• U.S. Embassy Juba
• U.S. Embassy Kinshasa
• U.S. Embassy Kampala
• The pause applies to all visa categories, including:
  • Immigrant visas
  • Nonimmigrant visas (tourist, business, student, exchange visitor and others)

Valid Visas Remain Unaffected 

• Individuals who already hold a valid U.S. visa may continue to use it for travel. 

Rescheduling and Notifications 

• Applicants whose appointments were canceled will be notified when they may reschedule. 
• The embassies will update their websites once visa operations resume. 

Visa Fees 

• Nonimmigrant visa application fees remain valid for 365 days from the date of payment for scheduling an interview. 
• Interviews may occur after the 365‑day period as long as the appointment is scheduled within that timeframe. 

What Employers and Foreign Nationals Should Know 

• Individuals in South Sudan, the DRC or Uganda who need a new U.S. visa will experience processing delays. 
• No alternative processing locations have been announced. 
• Employees with valid visas may continue to travel. 
• Those requiring visa stamping should adjust travel plans accordingly. 

Envoy Global will continue to monitor updates from the U.S. Department of State and will provide additional information as it becomes available. 

CBP Issues Carrier Liaison Program Guidance for Travelers from Affected Countries

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Carrier Liaison Program (CLP) bulletin outlining screening and routing requirements for travelers who have recently been in Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan.

According to CBP, carriers must:

• Identify travelers with recent presence in the affected countries
• Ensure compliance with CDC boarding restrictions for nonimmigrant travelers
• Route affected passengers to designated U.S. ports of entry for enhanced medical screening
• Prevent boarding of individuals who do not meet CDC travel requirements

CBP noted that violations create unnecessary public‑health risks. Absent unusual circumstances, penalties may be pursued against carriers that fail to comply.

Arrival Restrictions for Flights Carrying Travelers from Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan

DHS has issued arrival restrictions for flights carrying individuals who have recently traveled from or were present within, Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan. Under its authority at 6 U.S.C. 112(a), 19 U.S.C. 1433(c) and 19 CFR 122.32, DHS is requiring that affected travelers arrive only at:

• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Effective for flights departing after 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 20, 2026, air carriers must ensure that travelers with recent presence in the affected countries have itineraries listing IAD as their first U.S. port of entry. DHS defines “recent travel” as presence in any of the three countries within the past 21 days.

Exceptions

Arrival restrictions do not apply to:

• U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents
• U.S. Armed Forces members and associated personnel
• U.S. government personnel on official orders and their families
• Commercial crew and cargo‑only flights
• Unaccompanied minors and diplomats
• Individuals granted case‑by‑case exceptions by CBP
• Noncitizens entering through a DHS‑approved process with CDC‑aligned mitigation protocols

These restrictions remain in effect until modified or canceled by DHS. CBP noted that penalties may be pursued against carriers that fail to comply.

Federal Register Notice: Arrival Restrictions for Travelers from Uganda, the DRC and South Sudan

On May 21, 2026, DHS published a Federal Register notice formalizing the arrival restrictions for flights carrying individuals who have recently traveled from, or were present within, Uganda, the DRC or South Sudan. The notice confirms that affected travelers must arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and outlines the legal authority for these requirements.

The publication also states that the restrictions will remain in effect until modified or canceled by DHS and emphasizes that carriers may face penalties for noncompliance.

CDC Issues 30‑Day Suspension Order for Certain Travelers

In addition to the temporary pause in visa services, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a 30‑day Order under Sections 362 and 365 of the Public Health Service Act temporarily suspending the right to introduce certain non‑U.S. citizens who have recently been in the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan.

The suspension applies to non‑U.S. citizens who have been in any of the three countries within the past 21 days, regardless of nationality.

Who Is Exempt

The CDC Order does not apply to:

• U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents
• Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and associated personnel
• U.S. government employees on official orders and their families
• Individuals granted case‑by‑case exceptions by DHS
• Noncitizens entering through a DHS‑approved process that includes CDC‑aligned mitigation protocols

Duration

The Order is effective for 30 days from May 18, 2026, while CDC conducts a full public health risk assessment and develops a longer‑term mitigation strategy.

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