Sweeping changes to the screening requirements for visitors to the United States from certain countries could have a chilling effect on travel and communities that rely on tourism spending, the California Chamber of Commerce pointed out in a letter last week to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The federal agency has proposed requiring for the first time that visitors from close partner countries that participate in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program provide social media data and other personally identifying information to the government.
Key Changes
Key changes proposed to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and ESTA include:
• a mandate to provide social media history (5 years);
• enhanced biometrics (live selfie, potential fingerprint/iris/DNA); and
• a move to a mobile-only application platform.
Although the new requirements aim to enhance vetting, combat terrorism, and identify fraud by utilizing social media to confirm identity or travel history, the travel industry fears the increased requirements and potential privacy concerns could discourage millions of visitors from utilizing the Visa Waiver Program. The VWP, which is intentionally different from a cumbersome visa process, has long balanced security, economic growth, and strong international partnerships.
Confusion, Uncertainty
In its February 5 letter, CalChamber noted that the proposed expansion of data collection requirements already has generated significant confusion and alarm among international travelers, foreign media, and Visa Waiver Program partner governments, and is creating uncertainty for international visitors.
CalChamber cited a survey of more than 4,500 international travelers from VWP countries by the World Travel & Tourism Council. A large share of those surveyed said the proposed policy would make the United States feel less welcoming and less attractive for both leisure and business travel.
More than a third of those surveyed revealed that they would be somewhat or much less likely to visit the U.S. due to the new proposal. The potential decline in travelers — a greater than 23% reduction from VWP countries — could cost the U.S. an estimated $15.7 billion in lost visitor spending and more than 150,000 lost jobs.
“This would be devastating to not just the travel economy, but to states and communities across the country,” CalChamber said.
For international travelers — particularly business travelers — mandating that they provide extensive social media information, and highly sensitive personal data such as DNA, is deeply concerning. Faced with these requirements, many travelers may opt to conduct business and visit alternative markets rather than the U.S.
Countries in Program
The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of 42 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
Travelers must have valid ESTA approval before travel and meet all requirements.
Citizens or nationals of the following countries are eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and United Kingdom.
CalChamber / California
The CalChamber encourages increased travel to California by fostering investment in advertising and improvements to tourism infrastructure, considering the important role of tourism in the state’s economy.
In 2024, visitor spending in California reached $157.3 billion, supported 1.16 million jobs and generated $12.6 billion in tax revenue for the state and local governments — with overall international airlift to California growing steadily in 2025.
Staff Contact: Susanne T. Stirling
