The public comment period for one of the most sweeping proposed changes to U.S. travel screening in recent years closes today, February 9, 2026. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) first published the proposal in the Federal Register on December 10, 2025, targeting the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and the Arrival and Departure Record (Form I-94).
If finalized, the changes would affect approximately 14 million annual ESTA applicants from 42 Visa Waiver Program countries. The proposal stems from Executive Order 14161, signed in January 2025, and an April 2025 memorandum on baseline biographic data collection.
Social Media Disclosure Becomes Mandatory
The most notable change is that social media disclosure, previously optional on ESTA applications, would become mandatory. Applicants would need to provide social media identifiers used during the five years preceding their application.
CBP has not clarified whether this means usernames only or extends to complete activity records, but the shift from voluntary to required disclosure has drawn significant public attention over the past two months.
New "High-Value Data Fields" for ESTA
Beyond social media, CBP proposes collecting what it calls "high-value data elements" from ESTA applicants. These include:
- Phone numbers used in the past five years
- Email addresses used in the past ten years
- IP addresses and metadata from electronically submitted photos
- Family member information — names, dates of birth, places of birth, and residences of parents, spouse, siblings, and children
- Family member phone numbers from the last five years
- Business phone numbers and email addresses from the past five to ten years
- Biometric data — including face, fingerprint, DNA, and iris data
CBP states these fields would be added "when feasible," suggesting a phased implementation rather than an immediate rollout of all requirements.
New Photo Requirements
ESTA applicants would be required to upload a facial photograph (selfie) during the application process, in addition to the existing requirement to submit a photo of their passport biographical page. Third-party photo submissions would no longer bypass this requirement.
ESTA Website to Be Replaced by Mobile App
In a major platform shift, CBP proposes decommissioning the existing ESTA website and making the CBP One mobile application the sole submission platform for new ESTA applications. The website may remain available for status checks and information retrieval, but all new applications would need to go through the mobile app.
This change could create challenges for travelers who prefer desktop applications or have limited smartphone access.
I-94 Departure Record Changes
The proposal also introduces changes to Form I-94, the arrival and departure record. A new voluntary pilot program called the Voluntary Self-Reported Exit (VSRE) would allow foreign nationals to confirm their departure from the United States through the CBP Home app.
The VSRE system would require travelers to submit passport data, a live selfie, and geolocation information. It uses liveness detection and facial comparison technology to create a biometrically confirmed exit record.
Romania Removed from Visa Waiver Program
The notice also reflects the removal of Romania from the Visa Waiver Program, which took effect on June 1, 2025. Romanian nationals can no longer use ESTA to travel to the United States and must instead apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate.
Comment Period Closes Today
Today marks the final day to submit public comments on these proposed changes. Those who wish to weigh in can email [email protected] with OMB Control Number 1651-0111 in the subject line. The proposal has generated widespread concern during the 60-day comment window, with privacy advocates and travel industry groups raising questions about the scope of data collection.
These changes have not yet taken effect. CBP will review all submitted comments before deciding whether to move forward with implementation.
What This Means for Travelers
If these proposals are finalized, travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries visiting the United States should expect:
- A significantly longer and more detailed ESTA application process
- The need to download and use the CBP mobile app for ESTA submissions
- Mandatory disclosure of social media accounts and extensive personal history
- Potential collection of biometric data including facial recognition
- A voluntary option to digitally confirm departure from the US
Travelers currently holding valid ESTA authorizations are not immediately affected. However, those applying for new or renewed ESTAs after implementation would need to comply with the updated requirements.
