The United States plans to tighten travel screening by requiring some foreign tourists to submit five years of social media history as part of their visa applications, according to a new proposal from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The rule would apply to travelers from countries in the Visa Waiver Program, including the UK, France, Japan, and Australia, who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to visit the US for up to 90 days. Applicants will also have to upload selfies and provide email addresses from the past 10 years and phone numbers used in the last five years, as well as details of family members.
The CBP said these steps aim to strengthen identity verification and prevent fraudulent entries. The proposal is open for public comment for 60 days before final approval.
The move expands President Donald Trump’s broader crackdown on foreign travel following recent security incidents near the White House. It comes alongside other measures, including an expanded travel ban affecting over 30 countries and a proposed “visa integrity fee” for certain foreign visitors.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the policy targets countries that “cannot properly verify travelers” and ensures “America knows who is coming in.”
Civil liberties advocates have warned that mandatory social media checks could raise privacy and data security concerns, while the administration argues it is a necessary tool for national security and vetting transparency.
