Immigration Services officer Norma Christian speaks with an immigrant before a naturalisation ceremony held at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), office on May 17, 2013 in New York City. John Moore/Getty Images
The United States is preparing changes to its visa-waiver system that would require travellers—including Australians—to provide five years of social media history as part of their entry screening.
The proposal, released by the Trump administration, forms a major overhaul of the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which millions of visitors rely on each year.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published draft amendments that would significantly expand the personal information collected from applicants across 42 eligible countries.
Under the proposed rules, social media details would no longer be optional.
“CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an ESTA application,” the memo states.
“The data element will require ESTA applicants to provide their social media from the last five years.”
Travellers would also need to disclose five years of phone numbers used by themselves and their families, along with ten years of email addresses.
The Trump administration has opened a 60-day public comment period before finalising the reforms.
Most Australian travellers to the U.S. use ESTA because it offers a faster and cheaper alternative to a visa, meaning the changes could have far-reaching implications for tourism and business travel.
CBP is also proposing to shut down the ESTA website, forcing all applicants to file requests exclusively through a mobile app.
“Currently, applicants can apply for an ESTA via the ESTA website or the ESTA mobile application,” CBP said.
“However, poor quality image uploads to the ESTA website have resulted in applicants bypassing the facial comparison screening.”
DFAT Urges Caution
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) said the United States has sole authority over its border and visa settings and urged Australians to be aware of all entry conditions.
“Smartraveller advises Australians that U.S. entry requirements are strict. Australians should check U.S. entry, registration, transit and exit requirements, and ensure they understand all relevant terms and conditions before attempting to enter the United States,” a DFAT spokesperson told The Epoch Times.
DFAT also pointed to existing Smartraveller guidance, warning that U.S. officials have broad discretion to inspect devices and online accounts, and that refusing access can result in denial of entry.
