By Nasser Kasozi Akandwanaho
The U.S. government is planning a significant update to travel requirements that could affect millions of visitors from visa-exempt countries. Under the proposal, travelers may soon need to provide detailed information about their social media activity from the past five years before entering the country. The notice, published in the Federal Register, outlines the potential changes.
The update would impact travelers from 42 nations, including major allies such as the United Kingdom, France, Australia, and Japan. Currently, these visitors can enter the U.S. without a visa for short-term stays through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), providing only basic personal information.
The proposed rules would expand this process, requiring more detailed data to assess security risks.
Applicants could be asked to submit their full social media history, phone numbers used in the last five years, email addresses from the past decade, biometric information, and personal details about family members.
This expanded data collection is intended to help Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enforce an executive order aimed at preventing potential threats to national security and public safety.
While authorities emphasize safety, critics warn that the new measures could discourage tourism, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching. Concerns include increased scrutiny for travelers and a potentially longer entry process.
Over the past year, the administration has strengthened immigration and security measures, including enhanced vetting of visa applicants abroad and monitoring of individuals already in the U.S. seeking asylum, green cards, or citizenship.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has instructed officials to review social media activity as part of assessing applicants’ “good moral character.”
The changes also aim to modernize ESTA, making it a more mobile-friendly system while expanding the information required from travelers. Observers note that these steps reflect a broader push to tighten immigration screening and enhance national security.
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