Some tourists may need to provide five year social-media history for US entry
Regulation Update: Proposed Changes to US Travel Authorization
Regulation Update: Proposed Changes to US Travel Authorization
New Social Media Disclosure Requirement
On Wed, the US government proposed a new requirement for travelers from certain countries to provide their social media history from the past five years when applying for entry into the country.
Impact on Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
The proposal affects tourists needing to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form. This requirement could apply to citizens from over 40 countries who must currently obtain an ESTA to enter the US without a visa for up to 90 days. Affected countries include most European nations, as well as Chile, Brunei, and New Zealand.
The proposal affects tourists needing to complete an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form.
As of now, the proposal has not been implemented.
Uncertainty remains regarding the operational details of the proposal. Experts suggest the requirement could lead to longer processing times for ESTA forms. There is concern about the potential impact on tourism numbers.
Recent trends indicate a decrease in tourism to the United States, particularly from Canada, partly due to economic policies such as tariffs. Despite these concerns, US President Donald Trump stated that the proposal would not adversely affect tourism, emphasizing the importance of security measures.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
