US proposes mandatory five-year social media history for visa-free travellers

US Visa

The United States is proposing a change to its visa-free travel programme which could impact millions of international travellers.

Under new guidelines announced by the Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday, individuals seeking entry through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation will now be required to provide their social media history from the past five years.

This proposed revision, published in a public notice ahead of its formal listing in the Federal Register, is part of a broader effort to enhance national security.

The new rule is a direct response to Executive Order 14161, signed in January 2025, which calls for increased screening measures to identify foreign security threats.

Currently, travellers applying for ESTA are only asked to voluntarily submit their social media accounts.

However, under the new rules, this disclosure will become mandatory.

“The data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last five years,” the DHS notice states. Punch