The U.S. government will soon require travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries to submit up to five years of social media history, according to a proposal published Wednesday by Customs and Border Protection in the Federal Register.
The rule, stemming from an executive order signed in January, mandates that applicants complete their Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) forms with social media details covering the past five years. ESTA determines eligibility for visa‑free travel to the United States for up to 90 days.
Applicants may also be asked to provide additional information, including phone numbers, email addresses, IP addresses, family names and biometric data such as fingerprints and facial recognition.
The requirement would apply to travelers from most European nations as well as Australia, Japan, South Korea and other Visa Waiver countries. The proposal is open for public comment for 60 days.
The move is part of broader efforts to tighten immigration controls. The State Department said this week that 85,000 visas have been revoked since January, more than double last year’s total.