New Proposal To Require Social Media History When Applying For An ESTA

UK travellers to the US might have to submit their social media history in the near future.

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Travel News•Published December 11, 2025by Ash

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Tourists from the UK and many other countries may have to submit their social media history before granted entry into the US. This includes travellers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) form for entry - as most Brits do. Currently, there is an option to add your social media profiles to your ESTA application, but it is optional.

While this news has sparked backlash online - especially throughout the travel & tourism industry that already appears to be hit hard this past year - this new initiative is in the proposal stage. While this is obviously something the US government wants to do, it still remain optional to submit. The proposal says that all travellers must provide their social media handles for the last 5 years, but no specifics were announced. It also includes the desire to have the telephone numbers and email addresses you've used over the last 5 years, as well details about your family members. It's unclear how feasible this is though.

Any checks against your social media will be made during the online ESTA application process and it's likely that if and when this comes into effect it will take longer for those applications to be approved. If anything on your social media gets flagged, the ESTA application will be declined and you'll have to apply in person for a visa. Even before these changes, if you have something in your history that might get flagged, you should always Submit Your ESTA Before Booking Your Florida USA Holiday.

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Ash Hales
Ash

About The Author
Ash Hales is a British Disney Parks writer and the voice behind Mickey From The UK. Based in the South of England, he's been visiting Disney Parks for over three decades and launched Mickey From The UK in 2017 to provide practical, straight-talking advice for British guests - without the American bias.