The United States is set to modify the information requirements for Visa Waiver Program applicants, impacting several countries globally.
In 2024, the US reportedly welcomed over 72 million international visitors, many of whom were tourists using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before their visit.
The Visa Waiver Program in the US permits citizens from numerous European nations, select Asian and Pacific countries, along with countries like Mexico and Qatar, to visit without a visa for up to 90 days.
However, obtaining an ESTA is necessary.
According to the US Department of State, an ESTA is “a web-based system operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to determine eligibility to travel to the United States for tourism or business under the VWP.”
The 42 countries designated under the VWP include Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, and the United Kingdom in Europe, as well as Australia, Brunei, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Individuals from Israel, Qatar, and Chile are also eligible for an ESTA through the VWP.
Currently, applicants must provide personal details, such as their address, phone number, email, emergency contact information, and answer general eligibility questions to obtain an ESTA.
The New York Times reports that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) plans to require additional details from ESTA applicants, including social media information.
A document filed in the Federal Register recently revealed that the CBP will request “a long list of personal data including social media, email addresses from the last decade, and the names, birth dates, places of residence and birthplaces of parents, spouses, siblings and children.”
Moreover, the review will not be limited to recent social media posts; it will encompass up to five years of history.
These changes follow the previous administration’s introduction of new fees for those seeking immigrant visas while in the US.
While applicants already pay a fee for a US visa, an extra $250 fee is now required, due to the “Big Beautiful Bill.” However, the amount can be refunded once the visa expires, provided all permit conditions are met, as reported by Time Out.
The new fee was implemented on September 30.