US May Require Five-Year Social Media History
The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed expanding the ESTA travel-authorisation form to collect applicants' social media accounts from the past five years, plus phone numbers, emails and additional family information. The move — filed by Customs and Border Protection and open for 60 days of public comment — could slow approvals, raise privacy concerns and affect travellers from visa-waiver countries including many British passport holders.
The US government has proposed a significant expansion of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) that would require applicants to disclose their social media accounts covering the previous five years, along with telephone numbers and emails used over recent years and more detailed family information.
The proposal, filed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and reported in US media to have appeared in the Federal Register, invites public comment for 60 days. It does not yet specify which exact social media data would be collected.
ESTA currently allows citizens of about 40 visa-waiver countries — including the UK, Ireland, France, Australia and Japan — to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa after paying a $40 fee. The new measures would add layers of personal data collection to that process, citing an executive order issued in January aimed at strengthening national security and public safety.
Digital-rights groups have warned the change could “exacerbate civil liberties harms.” The Electronic Frontier Foundation told US media the policy risks invading privacy and chilling free expression. Immigration law firms say expanded questions and checks could also lengthen processing times, creating practical hurdles for travellers.
For residents of the British Virgin Islands, the proposal matters for two reasons. Many BVI residents travel to the US for business, medical care and leisure, and some hold British passports that currently qualify for ESTA. More intrusive screening could mean longer wait times and additional preparation before travel.
Second, global shifts in US travel policy can affect international tourism flows — already under strain — which matters for BVI tourism businesses that depend on regional travel patterns. The proposed ESTA changes also come as the US prepares for large inbound tourism events, including the 2026 men’s football World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Experts have previously linked tougher US travel policies to declines in international visitor spending and to shifts in where tourists choose to go. Officials and travellers should monitor the Federal Register for the full proposal and consider submitting feedback during the 60-day comment period.
Anyone planning travel to the US should check current ESTA guidance, allow extra time for authorisation, and seek advice from airlines or travel agents if unsure how changes may affect their trip.
Primary source: VINO