If you use the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) to travel to the United States, significant changes may soon affect your application process. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced plans to expand the type and depth of information required from ESTA applicants, marking one of the most extensive updates to the system in years. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
The proposed changes will be published as a public notice in the Federal Register and opened for public comment for a period of three months before any final decisions are implemented.
United States May Tighten ESTA Rules
According to CBP, the agency is seeking authority to collect more detailed personal, digital, and biometric information from travelers using the visa waiver scheme. The most notable change is that social media disclosure would become mandatory, rather than optional as it is today. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Applicants would be required to list all social media accounts used within the last five years. This information would be reviewed as part of eligibility and security assessments.
Expanded Personal and Contact Information Requests
Beyond social media, CBP intends to request deeper background details, some reaching back five to ten years. The proposed data collection may include: :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
- All social media accounts used in the last five years
- Mobile phone contacts used in the last five years
- Email addresses used in the past ten years
- IP address history and photo metadata
- Birth details, names, phone numbers, and past addresses of close relatives
- Work-related phone contacts from the last five years
- Work-related email contacts from the last ten years
These measures are intended to strengthen identity verification and detect potential security risks earlier in the travel screening process.
Possible Introduction of Biometric Data Collection
The notice also references the possible future collection of biometric information, which may include:
- Fingerprints
- Facial images
- Iris scans
- DNA-related identifiers (where legally permitted)
While not all biometric elements may be implemented immediately, CBP is exploring options to enhance traveler identification through advanced technology. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
New Photo Requirements for ESTA Applicants
Currently, ESTA applications rely primarily on passport photographs. Under the proposed changes, applicants would be required to upload an additional clear facial photograph, separate from the passport image.
This adjustment is intended to improve facial matching accuracy and identity verification during border checks.
ESTA Website to Close for Applications
Another major change involves how travelers submit ESTA applications. CBP plans to shift ESTA submissions entirely to the ESTA Mobile App. The existing website would be limited to status checks and informational content only. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
CBP states that the mobile app offers better security, faster updates, and improved technological flexibility compared to the traditional website.
New Method to Confirm Departure From the United States
CBP is also developing a new departure verification tool within its mobile application. This feature would allow international visitors to confirm their exit from the United States by:
- Uploading a live facial image
- Allowing location services to confirm they are outside the U.S.
Once verified, CBP would record the traveler as having officially departed, helping to resolve overstay and exit-record discrepancies. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
ESTA Fee Increase From 2026
A small fee increase is also planned. From January 2026, the ESTA fee is expected to rise from $40 to $40.27.
While modest, this follows a significant increase in 2024 when the fee jumped from $21 to $40 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
When Will These Changes Take Effect?
None of the proposed measures will take effect immediately. CBP will first collect public feedback during the three-month consultation period. Final decisions will be announced after the review process concludes.
However, frequent travelers to the United States—especially those relying on ESTA—are advised to prepare for a more detailed, data-intensive application process in the near future.
Conclusion
The United States is moving toward a more comprehensive and technology-driven ESTA system that emphasizes enhanced security, identity verification, and travel monitoring. Mandatory social media disclosure, expanded personal data requirements, biometric integration, and a mobile-only application process represent a significant shift for visa waiver travelers.
While these changes aim to strengthen border security, they will also require travelers to be more transparent, organized, and digitally prepared when applying for ESTA in the coming years. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}