Overview
- Nationals of the 42 Visa Waiver Program countries, including France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan, would be covered by the change.
- Applicants would have to provide five years of social-media history, five years of phone numbers, ten years of email addresses and detailed information on family members.
- CBP describes the social-media field as a mandatory data element for ESTA applications rather than a voluntary disclosure.
- Travel industry groups warn the plan could deter visitors as foreign arrivals are already projected by the U.S. Travel Association to fall 6.3% in 2025 versus 2024.
- Immigration lawyers, including at Fragomen, say the expanded screening is unprecedented and could slow processing, with observers also flagging possible complications for 2026 World Cup travel.