Anyone Travelling To US Will Have To Follow Trump’s Strict New Rules Before Entering

The United States is preparing to greatly increase the personal information it collects from foreign visitors, proposing mandatory checks of social media, contact history and family details for most travellers under the visa-waiver program.

The plan, outlined by US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security, would require ESTA applicants to submit five years of social media activity and ten years of email addresses and other contact information.

The proposal also calls for collecting phone numbers, IP addresses, photo metadata and extensive details about close relatives. Authorities also signal that biometric data—including facial scans, fingerprints and even DNA—may be added when feasible.

Officials argue the expanded screening is needed to strengthen security and identify risks before travellers arrive. A 60-day public comment period is underway, after which the rule could be finalized as early as 2026.

If implemented, the changes would affect millions from visa-waiver countries such as the UK, EU states, Japan, Australia and South Korea. Rights groups warn the system could misinterpret online posts, chill free expression and expose sensitive personal data to misuse.

CBP also plans to shift ESTA applications to a mobile app using facial recognition and geolocation tools, raising further concerns about monitoring visitors throughout their stay.

Supporters claim reviewing public online activity is a reasonable counter-terrorism measure, while critics fear the policy could deter tourism, spark retaliation from other countries and potentially lead to legal challenges on privacy and free-speech grounds.