The U.S. government is preparing to overhaul the ESTA application process for travelers using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If you’ve relied on ESTA for quick, streamlined entry to the United States, you’ll want to pay close attention.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proposed collecting significantly more personal history, including social media accounts, expanded biographical data, and new disclosures about family members. These changes are not yet in effect, but they signal a major shift in how the U.S. screens millions of travelers each year.
A formal notice will be published in the Federal Register, triggering a 60-day public comment period. After that, the agency may finalize, modify, or withdraw the proposal. For now, ESTA travelers should prepare for a more detailed (and time-consuming) application process in the months ahead.
Understanding the New ESTA Proposal
Under the proposed rule, ESTA would expand from a relatively straightforward screening tool to a much more robust background-check mechanism. According to CBP, the goal is to “enhance security and verify traveler identity with greater accuracy.”
Here’s what applicants may soon need to provide:
More Extensive Social Media History
CBP is proposing that applicants disclose:
- All social media identifiers used within the last five years
- Multiple platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, and others
This mirrors social media vetting already in place for many U.S. visa applicants but marks the first time ESTA travelers would face similar scrutiny.
Expanded Biographical Information
Applicants may need to report:
- Employment history for the past 5–10 years
- Residential addresses covering the same timeframe
- Travel history beyond what is asked today
This level of detail is typically associated with visa applications, not the streamlined ESTA process.
New Family Member Disclosures
The proposal also adds requests for:
- Information about immediate family members
- Potentially including parents, spouses, and children
CBP has not yet clarified how this information will be used, but it is likely intended to strengthen identity verification and fraud prevention.
Why ESTA Travelers Should Pay Attention Now
ESTA is relied upon by more than 40 countries whose nationals can visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. Millions of business travelers, tourists, and family visitors use ESTA every year.
These proposed changes are significant for several reasons:
- Application Times Will Increase
Gone are the days of completing ESTA on your phone during an airport taxi ride.
With expanded questions across multiple categories, travelers should expect:
- Longer application sessions
- More required documentation
- More careful self-review to avoid errors
- Social Media Will Officially Factor Into Eligibility
For years, social media review has evolved from a niche investigative tool to a standard element of U.S. immigration vetting. ESTA may now join that trend.
Individuals should be prepared for:
- Greater visibility into online activity
- Heightened scrutiny of public content
- Questions about identity consistency across platforms
While CBP states that the intent is security-focused, applicants must understand that anything publicly posted online, past or present, can theoretically be reviewed.
- Denials Could Increase
ESTA is not a visa. When ESTA is denied, travelers must pivot quickly to a B-1/B-2 visa application, typically involving:
- Weeks or months of consular wait times
- A formal interview
- Higher applicant burden to demonstrate eligibility
With a more detailed screening process, we may see a rise in:
- Technical denials
- Security-related denials
- Requests for more information (if a new review mechanism is introduced)
- Businesses Should Prepare for Delays
Companies that depend on rapid global mobility, like tech firms, manufacturers, universities, research institutions, and executives traveling frequently, may need to adjust internal travel planning.
Employee travel that once required 24-72 hours of lead time may soon require much more.
What Travelers Should Do Right Now
Although the changes are not yet final, we strongly recommend:
- Reviewing your social media presence – Public posts, usernames, and identity markers should be consistent, professional, and free from misrepresentations.
- Keeping address, employment, and travel records handy – Detailed multi-year history may soon be required.
- Applying for ESTA early – Don’t wait until a week before travel, submit applications as far in advance as possible.
- Considering a visa if your travel is frequent or sensitive – For some travelers, B-1/B-2 visas or employment-based visas offer more stability than ESTA.
- Following updates from trusted legal sources – Our team at Berardi Immigration Law will continue monitoring the regulatory process.
“Travelers are right to ask whether ESTA is becoming more like a visa application,” says Rosanna Berardi, Esq. “The answer is: not yet, but the distance between them is shrinking.”
What Happens Next?
Once published, the proposal enters a 60-day comment period. After reviewing public feedback, CBP may finalize the rule, revise it, or delay it. Implementation could follow quickly or take months, depending on the scope of changes adopted.
We will share updated information as soon as new guidance is released.
ESTA Traveler FAQs
Are these ESTA changes already in effect?
No. They are proposed changes only. The public will have 60 days to comment before any final rule is issued.
Will everyone using ESTA need to provide social media information?
If finalized as written, yes. All ESTA applicants may be required to disclose social media handles from the past five years.
Should I switch from ESTA to a visa now?
Not necessarily. But if you travel frequently, have complex background circumstances, or rely on last-minute travel, a visa may offer more predictability.
Prepare for a New Era of ESTA Screening
The proposed ESTA revisions mark one of the most sweeping changes to the Visa Waiver Program in years. As the U.S. continues prioritizing enhanced security vetting, travelers (and the businesses that rely on them) must adapt to a more rigorous screening environment.
Berardi Immigration Law will continue monitoring the rulemaking process and providing updates as new information becomes available. If you have questions about ESTA, visa alternatives, or travel planning, our team is here to help you navigate the road ahead with clarity and confidence. Click this link to contact us today.
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