US Plans New Measures for Visa-Free Travelers: Enhancing Security and Efficiency

The Trump administration plans to require foreign tourists from visa-exempt countries to disclose their social media records for the past five years before entering the United States. This new screening process would affect millions of travelers from over 36 countries who currently enjoy streamlined entry through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

According to a notice published in the Federal Register, U.S. Customs and Border Protection wants to collect five years of social media information from travelers coming from specific countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. These visitors normally skip the embassy interview process that regular visa applicants go through, instead getting pre-approved through an automated online system.

The Department of Homeland Security oversees this program, which currently allows citizens from about 40 countries—mostly European and Asian nations—to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for up to three months without a visa. This represents a significant shift in how these trusted travelers are screened.

But social media isn't the only new requirement. Customs and Border Protection also plans to request phone numbers used over the past five years and email addresses from the last decade. They want metadata from electronically transmitted photos and expanded information about applicants' family members.

For travelers, this means what used to be a quick online form could become much more detailed. The change affects countries like the UK, Germany, Japan, and Australia—places where millions of people regularly visit the U.S. for business and vacation.

The move reflects broader efforts to tighten border security, even for visitors from allied nations. While visa applicants already face extensive background checks, visa-waiver travelers have enjoyed a more streamlined process since the program began. This new requirement essentially brings their screening closer to traditional visa procedures, just without the embassy visit.

The economic stakes are significant. The visa waiver program facilitates billions of dollars in tourism and business travel annually. Any changes that make travel more cumbersome could affect visitor numbers and spending patterns in U.S. destinations.