Visa-free travelers must submit five years of social media records and emails to enter the United States.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced this week that the Trump administration is considering requiring citizens of dozens of visa waiver countries to submit additional personal information before entering the United States. This includes social media usage records for the past five years and email addresses. Once implemented, this proposal will bring significant changes to the current Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

Applicants must submit their information online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before entering the U.S.

Currently, 42 countries participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. Travelers from these countries can enter the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes, avoiding lengthy visa application processes that can take months or even longer. Participating countries include several European nations such as the UK, France, and Germany, as well as key U.S. allies like Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

Despite being eligible for visa-free entry, travelers are still required to submit an online application through ESTA before boarding, allowing U.S. authorities to review whether the traveler meets security standards. The proposed changes by the Trump administration aim to significantly overhaul the ESTA system, transforming it into a more comprehensive and mobile-friendly screening process.

Visa waiver travelers will need to provide social media and email information

According to the latest notice from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the Department of Homeland Security, future applicants may need to provide more extensive personal data, including social media accounts and usage records from the past five years, email addresses used over the past decade, as well as contact information, addresses, and other background details of immediate family members. The notice specifically states that social media records from the past five years will become a mandatory requirement, not an optional field.

CBP indicates that the new regulations are still subject to review by the White House Office of Management and Budget and emphasizes that this reform is part of the executive order signed earlier this year by President Trump, aimed at strengthening national security screening. The order mandates the federal government to prevent entry of any foreign nationals who may pose threats to U.S. national or public safety.

However, public reactions have been mixed. Critics argue that this reform will significantly increase the burden on travelers, potentially leading some to cancel their trips to the U.S. due to concerns over data collection or procedural complexity. This could not only impact the U.S. tourism industry but also have negative effects on the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S., Canada, and Mexico are jointly hosting.

Over the past year, the Trump administration has intensified screening and vetting processes for U.S. immigration. The State Department has begun stricter checks on overseas visa applications, and USCIS has expanded its review scope, including requiring officers to examine social media activity of certain applicants, especially those with potentially “anti-American” sentiments or activities. Additionally, immigration officers are now instructed to more rigorously assess the “good moral character” of applicants seeking legal permanent resident status and U.S. citizenship.

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