The Trump administration has proposed new requirements for travelers from dozens of countries that currently enjoy visa-free entry to the United States, including the mandatory submission of five years’ worth of social media history, according to a Department of Homeland Security notice released this week.
All visitors to US will have to provide 5 year history of their social media accounts
That’s going to be obligatory even for tourists from UK or Germany that don’t need visas to enter US
At least it’s not browser search history yet pic.twitter.com/xAxdKid41X
— RT (@RT_com) December 10, 2025
Citizens of 42 nations in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program can normally visit for up to 90 days for tourism or business without applying for a visa at an embassy or consulate — a process that can take months or even years. The program includes major European partners such as the UK, Germany, and France, as well as close U.S. allies like Australia, Japan, Israel, New Zealand, and South Korea.
Read more: Viral Image Sparks Speculation on Second Couple; JD Vance Fires Back
Although these travelers don’t require visas, they must still complete an online form through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before arrival, allowing officials to confirm eligibility and screen for potential security issues.
The administration now wants to revamp ESTA, shifting it to a mobile-only platform and requiring applicants to provide more extensive personal information about themselves and their relatives, according to a Customs and Border Protection notice in the federal register. The proposal would mandate that travelers submit social media usernames from the past five years, email addresses used over the past decade, and personal details for immediate family members, including their phone numbers and home addresses. The social media disclosure would become compulsory if the rule is approved.
CBP says the changes are intended to enforce a recent executive order from President Trump aimed at blocking entry to individuals who could threaten U.S. security or public safety. The proposal is still awaiting review by the White House budget office.
Read more: New study suggests best way to stop taking antidepressants
Critics warn the expanded vetting could discourage tourists, especially with the U.S. set to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico next summer.
The administration has spent the past year intensifying screening across the immigration system. The State Department has increased scrutiny of visa applicants abroad, while domestic measures have targeted people already in the U.S. who are applying for asylum, green cards, or citizenship.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has instructed officers to review the social media activity of certain immigrant groups for content deemed “anti-American” and to more rigorously evaluate the “good moral character” of applicants seeking naturalization.