The United States could soon require tourists from dozens of countries, including the UK, to provide a five-year social media history as part of the entry process, according to a new proposal from federal officials. The rule would apply to travellers eligible to visit the US for 90 days without a visa under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program.
The proposal, filed by the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection, appeared in the Federal Register, the official journal of the US government. It indicates that ESTA applicants would need to provide social media information from the past five years, although details about which platforms or specific content would be required were not included.
In addition to social media, the document proposes collecting applicants’ telephone numbers and email addresses used over the past five and ten years, respectively, along with more information about family members. The changes are part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten border controls and enhance national security, citing a January executive order titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has implemented stricter travel measures, including requirements for foreign nationals applying for student and skilled worker visas to disclose social media accounts. Officials have said these rules aim to identify individuals who may support terrorism or pose other security threats.
The new ESTA proposal coincides with a projected increase in international visitors for major sporting events, including the men’s football World Cup, hosted jointly with Canada and Mexico, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Experts warn that the additional requirements could slow processing times, complicate travel plans, and discourage tourists. Immigration law firm Fragomen said applicants may face longer waits for approvals if the proposal is implemented.
Digital rights groups have criticised the plan for its potential impact on privacy. Sophia Cope of the Electronic Frontier Foundation told the New York Times that the requirement could “exacerbate civil liberties harms.” Analysts have also suggested that stricter travel policies under Trump have affected US tourism.
Data from the World Travel & Tourism Council indicated that the United States is expected to be the only one of 184 economies to see a decline in international visitor spending in 2025. Previous measures, such as tariffs and travel restrictions, led to a sharp drop in Canadian visitors, who historically accounted for roughly a quarter of all international tourists and spent over $20 billion annually. October marked the tenth consecutive month of declining Canadian travel to the US.
The public is invited to comment on the proposed ESTA changes over a 60-day period. Officials have not provided a timeline for when the rules could take effect, but the proposal underscores the administration’s continued focus on border security and monitoring of incoming travellers.
The Trump administration has also signalled that existing travel bans affecting 19 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean could be expanded following security incidents, including a recent attack on National Guard members in Washington DC.
