Understanding Proposed U.S. Travel Rules: Social Media Checks and ESTA Changes

The landscape of international travel to the United States is poised for a significant transformation. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have proposed sweeping changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program that would mandate unprecedented levels of personal data disclosure from millions of foreign visitors. While Canadian citizens traveling with their passports are specifically exempt from these new requirements, the proposal marks a substantial shift in how the U.S. vets travelers from nearly four dozen visa-exempt nations, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Israel.

What Are the Proposed ESTA Changes?

The proposed rule, published in the U.S. Federal Register, would fundamentally alter the ESTA application process. Currently, travelers from visa-exempt countries complete a relatively straightforward online form to obtain travel authorization. The new rules would add social media disclosure as "a mandatory data element for an ESTA application," requiring applicants to provide their social media histories from the past five years. This represents one of the most extensive digital vetting requirements proposed by any Western nation for general tourism purposes.

Expanded Personal Data Requirements

Beyond social media, the proposal introduces a comprehensive set of "high value data fields" that would become mandatory for ESTA applicants. According to the notice, these include telephone numbers used in the last five years, email addresses used in the last ten years, and detailed family information. Applicants would need to provide names, dates and places of birth, and residency information for parents, spouses, siblings, and children. The proposal also mentions the potential collection of biometric data such as facial photos, fingerprints, DNA, and iris scans, though the implementation specifics for these elements remain unclear.

Who Would Be Affected and Who Would Not?

The distinction between affected and exempt travelers is crucial to understanding the proposal's scope. The changes would apply specifically to citizens of visa-exempt countries who require ESTA authorization to enter the United States. This includes travelers from the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, South Korea, France, and dozens of other nations participating in the Visa Waiver Program.

The Canadian Exception

Canadian citizens represent a significant exception to these proposed rules. As noted in CBP guidance and confirmed by immigration experts, Canadian citizens traveling with a Canadian passport do not need an ESTA to enter the United States. This longstanding exemption means Canadians would not be subject to the new social media and family history disclosure requirements when entering with their passports. However, Canadian permanent residents who hold citizenship from visa-exempt countries might still be affected, depending on their specific circumstances and which passport they use for travel.

Implementation and Practical Considerations

CBP estimates that travelers filling out the revised ESTA application would need an additional 22 minutes to provide the required information. The agencies also propose moving the entire application process from the ESTA website to mobile devices, citing security enhancements and improved image quality from mobile cameras. The notice suggests that "poor quality image uploads to the ESTA website have resulted in applicants bypassing the facial comparison screening," a vulnerability that CBP believes travelers have begun to exploit intentionally.

Political Context and Security Rationale

The proposed changes align with executive actions taken by the Trump administration. According to the Federal Register notice, the rules implement provisions from an executive order signed in January 2025 that directed agencies to ensure foreigners entering the United States "are vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible." This security-focused approach comes as the United States prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico, an event expected to draw millions of international visitors. While World Cup attendees will receive visa application fast-tracking, the broader ESTA changes reflect a tightening of general travel vetting procedures.

Potential Challenges and Criticisms

Immigration experts have raised concerns about the practical implementation of these rules. Rosanna Berardi, an immigration lawyer based in Buffalo, New York, noted that requiring detailed historical data from older travelers or those less technologically proficient could create significant barriers. "Asking seniors wanting to visit Disney World to list their past email addresses and family members' information will also be a very big ask," Berardi told Global News. The shift to mobile-only applications could also exclude travelers without smartphones or those uncomfortable with mobile technology.

Conclusion

The proposed ESTA changes represent a substantial expansion of U.S. border security measures that would affect millions of international travelers while maintaining exemptions for Canadian passport holders. As the United States moves toward more comprehensive digital vetting of visitors, travelers from visa-exempt countries should prepare for more detailed application processes if these rules are implemented. The 60-day public comment period provides an opportunity for stakeholders to voice concerns about privacy, practicality, and the balance between security and facilitating legitimate travel. For now, Canadian citizens can continue to travel to the United States with their passports under the existing rules, but all international travelers should monitor these developments closely as they evolve.