Social media required to enter the United States?
The United States is considering a major overhaul of ESTA, including mandatory social media information, a dedicated mobile application and enhanced biometric checks.
US authorities are considering a major change to the ESTA procedure, used by visa waiver travelers to enter the United States. In a notice published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, several changes are proposed: mandatory social media disclosure, exclusive use of a mobile application, expanded personal data collection and enhanced biometric checks. These measures, currently subject to public consultation, aim to strengthen security, combat fraud and harmonize screening tools. If adopted, they would profoundly transform the travel experience under the Visa Waiver Program.
⭐ Key points — Proposed changes to the US ESTA
- Social media disclosure could become mandatory for all ESTA applications.
- Submission of applications could be limited exclusively to the ESTA mobile application.
- An identity photo (selfie) would be required for all applications, with biometric verification.
- CBP plans to significantly expand the personal data collected (contacts, phone numbers, emails).
- These measures are still under public consultation and are not final at this stage.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published an official notice in the Federal Register, opening a 60-day public consultation on several substantial modifications to the ESTA system (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).
📄 This initiative falls under the Paperwork Reduction Act, which requires US federal agencies to justify any significant changes in data collection from the public before approval.
🎯 CBP’s stated objective is twofold:
The most widely discussed measure concerns ESTA social media.
CBP proposes making the declaration of social media identifiers mandatory for each applicant, covering the past five years.
This development stems directly from Executive Order 14161, signed in January 2025, which focuses on strengthening safeguards against foreign threats and identity fraud.
The question "why does ESTA ask for social media" frequently arises among travelers.
🔐 According to CBP, this information helps:
📢 Authorities clarify that this collection does not imply public or continuous monitoring of accounts, but rather a contextual analysis conducted within a strictly security-based framework.
At this time, the answer remains not mandatory.
However, if the proposals are approved, the question “do I have to fill in social media on ESTA USA” would clearly require a positive answer.
⚠️ CBP indicates that failure to disclose or the submission of intentionally inaccurate information could:
Under the proposed framework, is it necessary to include social media for ESTA: yes, in the same way as identity, travel or contact information.
📝 CBP emphasizes that overall consistency of the application is essential. Any discrepancy between personal data, travel documents and digital identity may be interpreted as a risk indicator.
Another major development: CBP is considering eliminating ESTA application submissions through the website in favor of exclusive use of the official mobile application.
💻 The website would remain accessible to:
🚫 However, completion of the application form could be limited to the mobile app.
🔧 Why the shift to the mobile application?
CBP justifies this move based on several factors:
✅ The mobile application, however, enables:
CBP also proposes making an identity photo (selfie) mandatory for all ESTA applications.
📸 This image would be:
👁️ In the longer term, CBP mentions the possible integration of expanded biometric data, such as:
In addition to ESTA and social media, CBP aims to enrich the form with High Value Data Elements.
📊 Proposed data includes:
🎯 According to CBP, these additions aim to harmonize federal forms and strengthen risk analysis tools.
Alongside these developments, CBP is expanding the Voluntary Self-Reported Exit (VSRE), available through the CBP Home application.
📍 Travelers can voluntarily report their departure from the country by submitting:
✅ This system aims in particular to reduce uncertainty regarding compliance with authorized stay periods, especially at land borders.
🔔 At this stage, ESTA social media disclosure is not yet mandatory.
All proposals are subject to public consultation and may evolve.
However, the direction is clear:
- 📲 priority given to the mobile application,
- 🧠 increased reliance on biometrics,
- 🌐 integration of social media into security screening.
✈️ Visa waiver travelers are therefore encouraged to closely monitor these developments in order to anticipate future requirements for entering the United States.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
At this stage, ESTA social media is not required. However, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is proposing to make social media declarations required on the ESTA form. This change, currently under public consultation, would aim to strengthen security controls and harmonise procedures for analysing travel authorization applications.
Currently, the answer to “do I have to fill in my social media details on the US ESTA” is no, as this section remains optional. However, if the reform is adopted, travellers will be required to provide their social media details when applying for ESTA, otherwise their application will be considered incomplete or subject to enhanced verification.
CBP is considering restricting ESTA applications to the official mobile app. The website would continue to exist for information and application tracking purposes. This change is due to security and anti-fraud concerns, as well as the website's inability to read passport microchips.
Yes, CBP is proposing to make a passport photo required for all ESTA applications. This image, taken in the form of a selfie, would be captured in real time and biometrically compared to the passport photo. The aim is to strengthen identity verification and limit fraud or impersonation during applications.