U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced significant changes to the ESTA application process. Learn what new personal information will be required, why social media will be checked, and how this will affect travel to the U.S

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced plans to significantly update the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application process, a document required for travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).

The updates, which will be officially published in the Federal Register on December 10, significantly expand the list of personal data collected from applicants, including mandatory social media checks for the past five years.

The public will have 60 days to submit comments on the proposed changes. We will tell you about the new plans for ESTA in this article.

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What exactly does CBP plan to change?

According to the draft published in the Federal Register, the following new requirements may appear in the ESTA application process:

Required social media information

Applicants will be required to provide their social media accounts for the past 5 years. Previously, this information was optional - now they want to make it mandatory.

Expanded set of personal data

The form plans to add new fields, including:

- phone numbers used by the applicant in the past 5 years;

- email addresses for the past 10 years;

- IP addresses and metadata from photos;

- family members' data (names, dates and places of birth);

- phone numbers of relatives (last 5 years);

- addresses of relatives' residence;

- biometric data - photos, fingerprints, DNA, iris;

- work phone numbers and work e-mails of the applicant for the last 5-10 years.

Mandatory upload of a separate photo

In addition to the photo from the passport biographical page, the applicant will be required to upload another photo of his face.

This will be a mandatory requirement on both the ESTA website and the mobile application.

Transition to submitting applications exclusively via the mobile application

CBP plans to gradually abandon the application process via the website, leaving the site as an information platform only.

ESTA applications will be submitted only via the ESTA mobile application.

New system for confirming departure from the United States

Through the CBP Home mobile application, foreigners will be able to confirm their departure from the United States. To do this, you will need to: send a photo of your face, allow geolocation (CBP will check whether the person has actually left the United States), and pass a “live photo test”. After confirmation, information about the departure will be recorded in the ADIS system.

Which countries require an ESTA to enter the United States?

Currently, 42 countries participate in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program:

Europe: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.

Asia and Asia Pacific: Brunei, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand.

Other regions: Chile, Israel, Qatar.

What do the process changes mean for ESTA applicants?

If the changes are approved, the application process will become more detailed and personalized, and the data collection will be much broader.

Travelers should be prepared for the fact that:

- they will be required to provide more personal and family information;

- their social media will be analyzed by CBP;

- the likelihood of additional checks will increase;

- the processing time for the application may increase.

Are these changes final and when can we expect the new ESTA rules in the US?

CBP will accept comments from the public for 60 days after the publication of the notice in the Federal Register.

After the proposals are reviewed and approved by the US Office of Management and Budget, the new rules could take effect in phases in the coming weeks and months.

Law firms and corporations can submit their comments directly through the appropriate CBP channels.

US Customs and Border Protection is preparing significant changes to the ESTA application process, including mandatory social media checks and expanded collection of personal and biometric data. Applicants should be prepared for more detailed verification and possible extension of application processing times. Public comments on the new rules will be accepted for 60 days, after which the changes may be implemented in phases.

Planning a trip to the US or preparing to apply for an ESTA? With the new rules and enhanced checks, professional support will help you avoid mistakes and denials.

A consultation with a Visit World migration lawyer is:

- Individual analysis of your situation;

- Clarification of ESTA requirements and other US migration issues;

- Assistance in preparing documents and verifying data;

- Tips on minimizing the risk of additional checks.

Get qualified advice from a migration lawyer and apply with confidence.

Reminder! Since the fall of 2025, the cost of obtaining an ESTA for entry into the US has almost doubled. We have already told you why the fee is increasing, which countries are subject to the new rules, how you can save money, and what other fees in the US will increase in 2025.

Photo – Freepik

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