U.S. Moves to Require 5 Years of Social Media History from Visa-Waiver Visitors

Key Points

• The U.S. plans to require five years of social media history from travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program, ending the previous optional disclosure.
• This move could significantly slow down the ESTA process and deter visitors from key tourism markets, risking further losses in international inbound travel.
• Industry experts warn of possible reciprocal requirements from regions like the EU, potentially increasing friction for both U.S. and foreign travelers.

Summary

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is moving to make it mandatory for Visa Waiver Program travelers to provide five years of social media history, a change that replaces the previously optional disclosure. This policy could create significant delays in the ESTA approval process, discourage travel from valuable markets like Europe and Asia, and cause friction in the meetings and events sector. The tourism industry fears not only a decline in visitor numbers but also the risk of reciprocal digital requirements from other regions, further complicating international travel.