The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is planning new rules for tourists and other travelers from 42 visa-waiver countries, requiring them to provide five years of social media activity as part of a revamp of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). According to a federal register notice from Customs and Border Protection, the updates aim to strengthen security and ensure compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.
Under the proposal, all ESTA applicants would need to submit a photograph of their face, contact information, and personal details for immediate family members. The updates would also collect additional high-value data fields, including telephone numbers used in the last five years, email addresses used in the past decade, IP addresses, and metadata from uploaded photos. Social media submission would be a mandatory part of the application process.
Officials emphasized that the revised ESTA system would transition to a mobile-only platform, replacing the current website-based process. CBP noted that mobile submissions allow for enhanced identity verification using biometric checks, facial recognition, and verification of electronic passport chips. The agency added that previous reliance on web-based applications led to poor-quality image uploads, which could bypass screening, and enabled exploitation by fraudulent third-party websites.
The changes are designed to enforce Executive Order 14161, which aims to protect the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security threats. The proposal also reflects broader efforts to reconcile travelers’ departures with previous entries through automated and biometric data collection.
While the policy seeks to improve security, critics have expressed concern about potential effects on tourism and international travel. The changes would impact travelers who currently enjoy visa-free entry for up to 90 days, requiring them to navigate a more comprehensive screening process. Public comments on the proposed updates will remain open for 60 days, giving stakeholders an opportunity to provide feedback before final implementation.
