US Visa Rules 2025: In a move that could significantly reshape travelling to the United States, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proposed sweeping new data-collection requirements for travellers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
The notice, now open for public review, outlines mandatory submission of social media history, telephone numbers, email addresses used over the past decade, and even sensitive biometrics such as DNA and iris scans.
Major Data Expansion Under Review
According to the CBP proposal, citizens from 42 Visa Waiver countries, who currently enter the US for up to 90 days without a visa after securing an ESTA approval, may soon face a far more intrusive screening process. The draft rule specifies that visitors would have to provide:
• Social media history from the last five years
• All telephone numbers used in the last five years• Email addresses used in the last ten years
• IP addresses and metadata from electronically submitted photographs
• Full family details, including names, dates and places of birth, and recent contact numbers
• Comprehensive biometrics like face, fingerprints, DNA samples and iris scans
• Business contact numbers and work emails used in the past decade
Officials have stressed that these additions are aimed at strengthening vetting protocols following the recent Washington, D.C. attack that left two National Guard members dead.
CBP clarified that the rule is not yet active. The agency emphasised that the notice is only a preliminary step to gather public input. “Nothing has changed for travellers coming to the United States. This is not a final rule,” the CBP said, noting that the objective is to explore policy options that could “keep the American people safe.”
The Department of Homeland Security said it is reassessing vetting protocols in light of evolving national-security threats.
42 Countries Could Be Affected
Visitors from the following regions fall under the Visa Waiver Program:
UK, Japan, Australia, South Korea, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Singapore, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Poland, Israel, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, Estonia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Chile, Brunei, Liechtenstein, New Zealand and Qatar.
What Happens Next
The proposal comes amid renewed emphasis on border security and immigration control under the Donald Trump administration. It follows the government’s announcement of a planned travel ban affecting nearly 30 nations.
ALSO READ: 'It's A Shame Students Go Back To India After Graduation': Did Trump Regret His Strict Visa Move?
While the requirement to disclose social media handles already applies to travellers outside the VWP system, the inclusion of DNA and iris scans represents a new escalation.
ALSO READ: What Is Trump Gold Card And Who Can Apply For It? All You Need To Know
Once the 60-day public comment period ends, the Department of Homeland Security will review submissions before taking any final decision. If approved, the new rules would mark one of the most significant changes to cross-border travel norms in the post-9/11 era.