U.S. travel rules in 2026 are set to become far more data‑intensive, with proposals and new regulations that could make DNA collection and extensive social media checks part of the price of entry for many foreign visitors. These changes focus especially on travellers using the Visa Waiver Program and short‑term tourist or business visas, and are framed by U.S. authorities as a national‑security and fraud‑prevention upgrade.
What Is Changing From 2026?
From early 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to expand the information required through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and other entry channels. Visitors from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, who currently enter for up to 90 days without a full visa, may be asked for new “high‑value data elements” including biometrics, detailed contact history and broader digital footprints.
In parallel, a separate final rule on biometric collection will require all foreign nationals to provide mandatory biometrics, such as facial scans, when entering and leaving the United States from late 2025 onward. This biometric framework is expected to underpin more advanced checks in 2026, including linking entry, stay and departure information through digital and mobile systems.
DNA Collection: From Pilot to Policy
One of the most controversial elements is the possible routine use of DNA sampling for some classes of foreign visitors. DHS proposals describe biometrics broadly to include facial recognition, fingerprints, iris scans and DNA, with travellers under the ESTA visa‑waiver system flagged as a key target group for expanded data collection.
Under a rule confirmed in December 2025, U.S. authorities say travellers may be asked to submit a cheek‑swab DNA sample in certain circumstances from January 2026, alongside other biographical and biometric checks. Officials present this as a way to verify identity, combat document fraud and link records across multiple security databases, although civil‑liberties advocates warn that DNA data is uniquely sensitive and hard to “take back” once stored.
Mandatory Social Media and Digital History
Social media screening, which already applies to most standard U.S. visa categories, is set to become a near‑universal expectation for visitors. DHS has proposed that every VWP traveller must submit five years of social media identifiers, plus up to ten years of email addresses and telephone numbers, as part of the ESTA process.
Authorities also want access to metadata from photos uploaded with applications, as well as IP addresses and detailed information about family members, including names, dates and places of birth, and contact details. Officials argue that these “high‑value” data fields close existing security gaps and bring ESTA screening into line with the deeper vetting already used for full visa applicants.
Who Will Be Affected?
The most immediate impact will be on citizens of the roughly 40–41 countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program, including many in Europe and Asia. These travellers currently enjoy streamlined entry for business and tourism, but from 2026 they may need to provide DNA samples, full social media histories and extended family details to maintain that convenience.
Other groups are already experiencing tougher digital checks. Since December 2025, the U.S. State Department has expanded mandatory social media screening to H‑1B skilled‑worker visa applicants and their H‑4 dependent family members, building on rules that have long applied to student and exchange‑visitor categories such as F, M and J visas. This means many workers, students and their families must ensure all social media profiles are set to public and consistent with their application information.
New ESTA App and Data Table
Another major structural change is the planned move from a web‑based ESTA form to a mobile‑only ESTA app, which DHS says will help validate passports and reduce fraud. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) estimates around 14 million annual ESTA applications would be routed through this app once the system is live, raising practical concerns for travellers who do not use smartphones or face employer restrictions on app downloads.
Key proposed data requirements for many 2026 travellers
| Data category | Typical requirement under proposals |
|---|---|
| Biometrics | Face, fingerprints, iris scans, potential cheek‑swab DNA sample for some travellers |
| Social media history | Up to five years of social media identifiers for all ESTA users |
| Phones and emails | Phone numbers (5 years) and email addresses (10 years) for applicants and sometimes family |
| Family information | Names, dates and places of birth, contact details and residencies of close relatives |
| Device and photo metadata | IP addresses and metadata from uploaded photos and app activity |
Privacy, Rights and Practical Concerns
Civil‑liberties and privacy groups warn that combining DNA, biometrics and deep social media histories in a single border‑security system creates powerful surveillance capabilities. They argue that travellers often have little real choice but to consent if they wish to enter the country, and that broad data‑sharing among U.S. agencies could expose sensitive information to misuse or future policy shifts.
Practical worries extend beyond privacy. Travellers may struggle to recall every social media handle used over five years, or every email and phone number over a decade, raising the risk of unintentional omissions that could still trigger visa denials. Airlines, employers and universities are also bracing for tighter timelines and more document checks if the new rules move from proposal to full implementation in early 2026.
How Travellers Can Prepare
Until final regulations are fully in force, travellers should monitor official DHS, CBP and State Department channels to confirm effective dates and exact requirements. It is sensible to maintain a record of your social media accounts, phone numbers and email addresses over recent years, to avoid last‑minute mistakes on forms and apps.
Anyone planning a trip in 2026 should also allow extra time for ESTA or visa approvals, and consider the implications of consenting to DNA collection or long‑term biometric storage before committing to travel. Immigration lawyers and reputable travel‑advisory services can help interpret evolving rules, but only official U.S. government sources can confirm what is mandatory at the moment you apply.
FAQs
Q1. Is DNA collection already mandatory for all visitors in 2026?
DNA sampling is authorised in a final rule for some foreign nationals from January 2026, but implementation details and how widely it will be demanded can vary by category and risk assessment.
Q2. Will every traveller have to share five years of social media history?
DHS plans to make five‑year social media disclosure standard for all Visa Waiver Program travellers via ESTA, and similar checks already apply broadly to most visa categories.
Q3. Where can I verify the latest rules before travelling?
Always check official U.S. government websites such as DHS, CBP and the State Department’s travel and visa pages for the most current requirements before you apply or fly.
Disclaimer
The content is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. You should always verify requirements through official government sources, as rules can change and individual circumstances differ.