Ebola travel restrictions: India, Canada, UAE and other countries tighten entry rules

Countries across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and other regions have introduced new entry restrictions, health screening and quarantine measures for travellers with recent travel links to Ebola-affected countries, as authorities step up efforts to contain the spread of the disease.

The measures vary by destination and include entry bans, visa suspensions, mandatory health declarations, screening and quarantine requirements, according to immigration services provider Fragomen.

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The restrictions mainly apply to travellers who have recently been in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Uganda or South Sudan. Some countries have also introduced measures for travellers arriving through third countries after visiting an affected country.

India introduces health declaration for arrivals

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Delhi International Airport have launched an online Passenger Health Self-Declaration Portal, called AIR SUVIDHA 2.0. International passengers arriving in India must submit details of their travel history, exposure history and related symptoms for the previous 21 days before immigration clearance. The form can be completed up to 24 hours before arrival.

Passengers will receive a registration number, acknowledgement and confirmation email after submitting the declaration. The acknowledgement, either digital or printed, must be presented to the airport health desk upon arrival, Fragomen said.

Canada tightens entry and immigration rules

Canada has barred foreign nationals who have been in the DRC during the previous 21 days from entering the country. Airlines and private air carriers must deny boarding to affected foreign nationals travelling to Canada.

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Canada has also temporarily suspended, until September 28, 2026, certain immigration documents for residents of countries considered at high or very high risk of Ebola outbreaks, currently including the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan. The measure covers approved temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorisations and permanent resident visas, while processing decisions on these documents have also been paused.

Travellers who have been in affected areas during the previous 21 days and arrive in Canada without symptoms will be required to quarantine for 21 days. Those showing symptoms will be isolated at a hospital for further medical assessment. Canadian citizens and permanent residents can return to Canada but will be subject to screening and quarantine requirements.

Gulf countries impose entry restrictions

Several Gulf countries have also introduced restrictions.

Bahrain has banned travellers of any nationality arriving directly from South Sudan, the DRC or Uganda, as well as those who visited any of these countries during the previous 30 days. Bahraini nationals are exempt from the entry ban but must undergo quarantine.

Kuwait has imposed a similar entry ban on travellers arriving from the DRC, South Sudan or Uganda, or those who visited these countries during the previous 21 days. The restriction also applies to travellers using transit, connecting or indirect routes through the affected countries.

Qatar has barred travellers arriving from or who have been in the DRC, South Sudan or Uganda within the previous 21 days. Qataris and residents of Qatar are exempt.

The UAE will suspend the issuance of new visas, including visit visas, for nationals of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan from June 6, 2026. Entry will also be restricted for travellers arriving from these countries, including through transit points in other countries. Travellers will be allowed to enter only if they have spent more than 21 days outside the listed countries before arriving in the UAE.

Saudi Arabia has suspended travel by its nationals to the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan. It has also suspended the issuance of all visa categories and entry for travellers arriving from these countries or through third countries if they had stayed in an affected country within the previous 21 days.

Other countries step up screening

Israel, Jordan, Thailand, the Philippines, Rwanda, Mauritius, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago have also introduced varying entry, screening or quarantine measures for travellers with recent travel links to Ebola-affected countries.

Thailand requires travellers and airline crew arriving from the DRC or Uganda to enter through Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport, where they may face medical screening or quarantine for up to 21 days.

The Philippines requires medical screening for travellers arriving from or recently present in the DRC, South Sudan or Uganda. Travellers with known exposure may be required to undergo a 21-day quarantine.

Uganda has also suspended flights and cross-border passenger transport between the DRC and Uganda and increased screening along its border with the DRC.

According to Fragomen, health screening measures have also increased at airports in parts of the Middle East and Africa and at some land ports in Africa.

Travellers with recent travel history to affected countries should check entry and health requirements before departure and be prepared for possible delays at travel checkpoints.