Visa waiver travelers must submit five years of social media records and emails to enter the U.S.

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

Submit an application through the online system of the 'Electronic System for Travel Authorization' (ESTA) before entering the United States.

Currently, 42 countries are participating in the U.S. visa waiver program. Travelers from these countries can enter the United States without a visa for up to 90 days for purposes including tourism or business, without the lengthy visa application process that can take months or even longer. The participating countries include several European nations, such as the United Kingdom, France, and Germany, as well as key U.S. allies like Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

Despite being eligible for visa waiver, travelers must submit an online application through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before boarding, so that the U.S. can review whether incoming travelers meet safety standards. The reforms proposed by the Trump administration are aimed at making significant adjustments to the ESTA system, with the goal of transforming ESTA into a more comprehensive and mobile-friendly review process.

U.S. visa-free travelers need to provide social media and email information.

According to the latest notification from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published in the Federal Register, future applicants may need to provide more comprehensive personal information, including social media accounts and usage records from the past five years, email addresses used in the past ten years, and contact information, addresses, and other background details of immediate relatives. The notification specifically states that social media records from the past five years will become a mandatory requirement, rather than an optional field.

CBP stated that the new regulations still need to be reviewed by the White House Office of Management and Budget and emphasized that this reform is to implement the executive order signed earlier this year by President Trump, aimed at strengthening national security reviews. The order requires the federal government to block any foreigners who may pose a threat to U.S. national security or public safety from entering the country.

However, reactions from the public are mixed. Critics argue that this reform will significantly increase the burden on travelers, potentially causing some to cancel their trips to the U.S. due to concerns about personal data collection or complex procedures. This could not only impact the U.S. tourism industry but may also trigger negative effects just before the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Over the past year, the Trump administration has significantly strengthened the scrutiny and screening intensity of the U.S. immigration system. The State Department has begun to more strictly review overseas visa applications, while USCIS has also expanded the scope of its reviews, including requiring officials to examine the social media usage of certain applicants, especially those who may express anti-American sentiments or engage in related activities. Furthermore, immigration officials are also required to assess the 'good moral character' of applicants more rigorously when reviewing legal immigration applications for U.S. citizenship.

This article states that visa-free travelers must submit five years of social media records and emails to enter the United States. First reported by Chain News ABMedia.