US Takes New Step in Visa Waiver Program: Tourists’ Social Media Histories to Be Reviewed

A New Layer of Screening for Visa-Free Travelers

The United States is preparing to introduce a new measure for visitors arriving from 42 countries under its Visa Waiver Program — including the UK, France, Germany, and South Korea. Under the plan, US authorities would begin reviewing travelers’ social media activity going back as far as five years.

According to a report by The New York Times, US Customs and Border Protection has published details of the new proposal, which expands the amount of personal information collected from visitors entering the country without a visa.

Expanded Data Requirements

The Visa Waiver Program currently allows citizens of 42 countries to stay in the US for up to 90 days, as long as they obtain digital travel authorization. If the new plan is approved, applicants will be required to provide significantly more information than before.

In addition to reviewing social media posts from the past five years, US authorities would also request email addresses from the past 10 years, along with details about family members — including names, dates of birth, and places of residence.

How the System Works Today

As the system stands, travelers from visa-exempt countries apply by submitting basic contact information and paying a 40-dollar fee. Once approved, their digital travel authorization remains valid for two years. The new proposal would introduce a much broader data collection process, adding another layer of security screening for millions of travelers each year.

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