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UK Tourists May Need To Share 5 Years Of Social Media History To Enter US

By Helen
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A yellow sign that says
US Border Control

US Border Control could get tighter in the near future as American officials unveil plans to ask UK visitors, and travellers from around 40 visa-waiver countries, to submit 5 years of social media history when completing their ESTA. The proposal lists other requirements too. This is currently only in the proposal stage.

The change comes as part of tighter border controls aimed at further improving national security. Analysts warn that the proposed changes could slowdown the ESTA process and raise digital privacy concerns for millions of tourists.

Proposed Changes

Under the proposal filed by US Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security:

  • ESTA applicants may need to provide social media usernames from the past 5 years.

  • Travellers could also be asked for all telephone numbers from the last 5 years,

  • And every email address used in the past 10 years.

  • Additional information about family members may also be required.

  • Upload a selfie for ID purposes.

There are other proposals included, and you can read them in full in the filed proposal.

Currently, the ESTA only asks for basic personal information and costs $40 (£30.40). It allows UK travellers, and all travellers who successfully apply for an ESTA, to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa.

This proposal is open for public comment for 60 days, until 9th February 2026, before any decision is made.

What This Means For UK Travellers

If approved, the new rules would affect anyone planning trips to:

  • Walt Disney World

  • Disneyland Resort California

  • Universal Orlando

  • New York, Las Vegas, and other major cities

For UK Disney holidaymakers, the biggest impacts could be:

  • Longer ESTA approval times, so last-minute bookings may be riskier

  • More detailed personal data required, especially for frequent social media users

  • Greater scrutiny on digital footprints, including old accounts you may have forgotten about

At the moment nothing has changed, and ESTA applications remain the same, but this could shift in the months ahead.

Magic in a Minute

A new US proposal could require UK visitors to submit five years of social media history as part of their ESTA application. It's not yet approved, but if it passes, there will be changes to the ESTA process.

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