Fierce opposition is mounting to a US proposal that would require travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries—including the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, and South Korea—to provide social media history from the past five years when applying for an ESTA. The requirement would become a mandatory part of the online travel authorization process.
The proposal, open for public comment until early February 2026, has raised concerns that such broad disclosure could deter international visitors.
Erik Hansen, Head of Government Relations at the US Travel Association, told Reuters: “If we fail to deliver an efficient, secure, and modern vetting process, international visitors will choose other destinations.”
Political leaders are also speaking out.
Democrat Senator Patty Murray slammed the idea on X, calling it “easier to just ban tourism.” Bethany Allen, head of China investigations at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, added: “Wow, even China doesn't do this.”
Travel operators have joined the pushback. UK-based consultancy Global Travel Management has launched a campaign urging travellers to submit objections during the public comment period, which runs until 09FEB, 2026.
The $40 ESTA, required for stays of up to 90 days over a two-year period, must be completed before boarding a flight or ship to the US or crossing a land border. Since 2019, immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants have been required to share social media data. How the US plans to collect and process five years of social media history remains unclear.
Most Canadians won’t be affected by the proposed rules, immigration lawyer Christine Berardi told the CBC.
“99.9 per cent of Canadians won’t be affected,” Berardi explained, noting that Canadians aren’t part of the visa waiver program and typically just need to show their passport. A few exceptions, like investor visas and K-1 fiancé(e) visas, require consulate interviews, “but for the vast majority of Canadians, it’s still show your passport and go,” Berardi added.
