Switzerland And Italy Joins France, Poland, Germany, UK, Denmark And More Countries In Responding To US New Visa Regulations On Social Media History : What You Must Be Aware Of

Published on December 11, 2025

Switzerland and Italy joins France, Poland, Germany, the UK, Denmark, and more countries in responding to the US’s new visa regulations requiring travelers to disclose five years of social media history. This proposed rule, which affects citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, is aimed at enhancing security vetting for travelers entering the US. With the new rule set to impact millions, travelers must understand the potential implications for their entry into the US, including privacy concerns and the added requirements for detailed personal data.

The United States is set to implement a major shift in its visa application process for travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, adding a requirement for travelers to disclose five years of social media history. This move, which is expected to affect citizens from 42 nations, is designed to enhance security vetting for travelers seeking entry to the US for business, tourism, or other short-term visits. Among the European nations impacted, Switzerland and Italy join France, Germany, the UK, and others in adapting to these stricter entry requirements.

With travelers now required to provide details like social media identifiers, phone numbers, email addresses, and family information, this proposed rule change has sparked debate about privacy concerns and the broader implications for international travel. In this article, we delve into the specifics of these new regulations, examine the countries affected, and discuss the potential travel impacts as the US government prepares to finalize the new rules.

The New US ESTA Rule: A Major Shift in Travel Protocol

In December 2025, the United States proposed a new rule in the Federal Register that would require all travelers from VWP countries to disclose an array of personal information as part of the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) application process. This proposal is expected to be finalized after a 60-day comment period, which ends in February 2026.

The main change is the requirement for travelers to provide a comprehensive social media history from the last five years. This disclosure would include all social media identifiers, usernames, or handles used by the traveler. Additionally, applicants will need to submit details like their phone numbers for the last five years, email addresses for the last ten years, and family information. Travelers will also be required to undergo biometric screenings, including fingerprint and iris scans, to further enhance security protocols.

This new policy applies to all citizens of the 42 countries that are part of the US Visa Waiver Program. The inclusion of social media history has caused widespread concern about privacy and data security. The US government argues that this move is crucial for national security and will help to better vet travelers entering the country.

Which Countries Are Affected?

Citizens of the following 42 countries are impacted by the new regulations:

European VWP Countries

Key Notes on the New Rule

While Romania has recently joined the VWP, making it subject to the changes, the new rule will affect non-EU countries such as Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, as well. However, Bulgaria and Cyprus remain excluded from the VWP and thus will not be impacted by this specific regulation.

The proposal also stipulates that failing to provide required information, including social media history, may result in ESTA denial or travel bans. For travelers who neglect to share this information, entry into the US could be delayed or blocked altogether, potentially causing significant disruptions to travel plans.

Privacy Concerns and Potential Risks

One of the most contentious aspects of the new US visa rule is the requirement to disclose social media history. For many, this raises serious privacy concerns. Critics argue that the government’s increased scrutiny of digital footprints could lead to the examination of personal messages, interactions, and other private online activity. There are concerns about how this data might be used for profiling or how it might affect individuals’ privacy rights.

In Europe, there are also fears that these regulations might violate the principles of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which governs data privacy for EU citizens. Given the high volume of data being collected, there are also questions about how securely this information will be stored and whether it could be vulnerable to hacking or misuse.

Additionally, the mandatory biometric screening – including selfies, fingerprints, and iris scans – is expected to add significant time to the ESTA approval process. On average, the processing time could increase by about 22 minutes per application, which may cause inconvenience for travelers.

While there has been no large-scale backlash from the EU governments yet, the parallels with past tensions between the US and the EU over data-sharing agreements (such as the Entry/Exit Border System or EBSP) have sparked some concern. This situation highlights the ongoing tension between security measures and personal privacy rights.

Impact on Travelers

The US’s new social media history disclosure requirement is set to affect travelers from across the globe. Business, leisure, and academic travelers could all be impacted by the new rules, particularly for major events like the 2026 World Cup, where thousands of visitors from affected countries will seek to enter the US for tourism and business purposes.

The move is expected to cause delays for travelers who have not previously disclosed extensive social media information or those who may be flagged by US authorities due to their posts or online behavior. This could lead to last-minute travel denials or cancellations, especially for those whose social media profiles raise security concerns.

A major concern is the potential for denial of ESTA applications based on the content of a traveler’s social media posts. For instance, an individual who has posted controversial opinions, political views, or other types of “concerning” content may be denied entry. This could affect millions of travelers from countries like Germany, France, the UK, and Spain.

Travel Tips: How to Prepare for the New ESTA Requirements

As the new US visa regulations loom, travelers should start preparing for the changes now to avoid delays or denials when applying for ESTA. Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:

• Review Your Social Media History: Ensure that all your social media profiles are up to date and that your posts align with the expectations of US authorities. Any potentially controversial posts should be reviewed, as these could be flagged during the ESTA process.
• Be Transparent in Your Application: When filling out the ESTA application, be sure to disclose all required information accurately. Failing to provide the correct details could result in a denial of your application.
• Understand the Impact on Travel Plans: If your ESTA application is delayed or denied, it could significantly impact your travel plans. Make sure to apply for ESTA well in advance of your planned trip to avoid last-minute issues.
• Monitor Your Family’s Social Media: Since family details are part of the disclosure, be aware of any family members’ social media activity that might affect your application.

What’s Next: Timeline and Next Steps

The public comment period for the proposed rule change is set to end in February 2026, at which point the US government will review the feedback and finalize the rule. If the rule is passed, it will likely go into effect later in 2026, meaning travelers from VWP countries will need to comply with the new requirements in time for the busy summer travel season.

For now, travelers should continue to monitor updates from the US Department of Homeland Security and prepare accordingly. As the situation develops, there could be further clarifications on what specific social media platforms need to be disclosed and how the government plans to handle data privacy concerns.

The US’s proposed new visa rule, requiring travelers from VWP countries to disclose five years of social media history, represents a significant shift in how international travel is monitored. Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, the UK, and other European nations now face increased scrutiny, with travelers required to provide detailed personal and digital footprints as part of the ESTA process.

Switzerland and Italy join France, Poland, Germany, the UK, Denmark, and more countries in responding to the US’s new visa regulations requiring travelers to disclose five years of social media history. This rule aims to strengthen security checks for travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, making it crucial for travelers to understand its potential impact.

While the rule is designed to enhance security, it raises important questions about privacy, data protection, and the potential for delays and denials for travelers. As the US government moves toward finalizing these regulations, it is critical for travelers to stay informed, review their social media profiles, and be prepared for potential disruptions to their travel plans.