International Visitors Face Mandatory Social Media and Biometric Checks at World Cup

New Requirements for International Travelers to the U.S.

International travelers from numerous countries, including Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Japan, and South Korea, may soon be required to provide extensive personal data and years of social media history to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This proposal, which has raised concerns among travelers and tourism officials, marks a significant shift in how the U.S. collects information from visitors.

Key Details of the Proposal

According to a recent proposal filed by the CBP, applicants from 42 countries deemed secure by the U.S. will be required to provide five years of social media history as a “mandatory data element.” In addition to this, travelers would need to submit telephone numbers used in the last five years, email addresses from the past decade, IP addresses, and metadata from electronically submitted photos. Biometric data such as face, fingerprint, DNA, and iris scans will also be required, along with information about family members, including names, phone numbers, dates of birth, places of birth, and residences.

This proposal applies specifically to tourists from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows them to travel to the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days. These visitors must first obtain electronic travel authorization through the CBP’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

The CBP’s proposal is currently open for public comment for 60 days, ending on February 9, 2026. However, the agency has not yet provided a timeline for when the policy might be implemented.

Understanding the Visa Waiver Program

Established in 1986, the Visa Waiver Program offers preferred status to visitors from 42 countries, allowing them to enter the U.S. without a visa for up to 90 days. To participate, travelers must apply at least 72 hours before their trip through the ESTA system and pay a $40 fee. The program includes nations from the European Union, as well as other regions such as Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Qatar, Singapore, and South Korea.

What Remains Uncertain

One major unknown is whether this increased requirement for personal data will deter international visitors from attending the FIFA World Cup in the U.S. next year. The tournament is expected to generate $30.5 billion in economic output and create 185,000 jobs. However, this projection relies on an estimated 2.6 million international fans attending the event. FIFA has advised host cities that they should expect a 50/50 split between domestic and international visitors.

Before the CBP’s proposal, Tourism Economics projected that the U.S. would see only 1.24 million international visitors for the World Cup—less than half of FIFA’s estimate. This discrepancy raises questions about the potential impact of the new requirements on tourism.

Why 2026 Is Critical for U.S. Tourism

A study by the World Travel & Tourism Council found that the U.S. was the only country forecast to see a decline in international visitor spending in 2025. This trend has been attributed to policies under former President Donald Trump, including tariffs, America First rhetoric, and immigration restrictions.

Tourism Economics had previously projected that international visitation would rebound by 3.7% in 2026, with nearly one-third of that growth linked directly to the World Cup. However, the CBP’s new proposal adds another layer of uncertainty for the tourism sector.

Concerns Over Additional Policies

U.S. tourism officials are also worried about other policies introduced during the Trump administration. In November, the U.S. Travel Association joined over 20 organizations in urging the Department of State and Homeland Security to delay the implementation of a $250 visa integrity fee, which could make the U.S. the most expensive destination for travelers.

Additionally, the State Department announced a 12-month pilot program that would require some applicants to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 when applying for a visa. There have also been discussions about expanding the President’s 12-country travel ban to include more nations.

Further Reading

For more insights into how these policies could affect U.S. tourism and the upcoming FIFA World Cup, you can read additional reports on related topics.