Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Foreign tourists planning a visit to the United States may soon face far tougher entry requirements under new proposals announced by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The measures, published this week in the Federal Register as part of a mandatory notice-and-comment process, would require travellers to submit up to five years of social media activity for review, an unprecedented level of scrutiny that analysts say could deter millions of potential visitors.
The proposal forms part of a broader tightening of U.S. immigration and visitor policies under the Trump administration. Officials have also floated the idea of a $15,000 bond intended to guarantee that travellers leave before their 90-day visa waiver period expires. Additional requirements could include disclosure of email addresses, phone numbers and information about family members before being granted entry.
The American public has 60 days to comment on the proposed rules, but travel industry figures warn that the impact on tourism is already being felt. Peter Greenberg, CBS News Travel Editor, said foreign visitor numbers have dropped sharply this year and could fall further if the new policies take effect. “They’re proposing up to a $15,000 bond to guarantee that when a visit is over, people come home.
How many can afford that?” he said. “Add to that the requirement to provide five years of social media history, and you’ll understand why there’s been a huge drop in inbound travel to the United States this summer, lost revenue that can never be recouped.”
The new rules have sparked particular concern among football fans planning to travel for the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. With most matches being held on American soil, many supporters fear they may face delays, extra questioning, or visa complications at U.S. borders if the social media checks are approved.
ABTA, the UK’s travel industry association, advised fans to apply early for an ESTA the electronic travel authorisation required for UK passport holders, before booking flights or match tickets. The ESTA remains valid for two years, but failures or delays in approval may force travellers to apply for a full U.S. visa, a process that can take months. “It is sensible to apply before booking travel arrangements,” ABTA said. “If you cannot get an ESTA, you’ll need to go in person for a visa interview.”
Concerns have mounted since plans for a separate $250 “visa integrity fee” surfaced earlier this year. While this would likely not affect visa waiver countries such as the UK, the new social media requirements could still disrupt travel for major sporting events. Fans interviewed by the BBC said they were already reviewing old posts, deleting unused accounts, and checking past comments for anything that might be misinterpreted by U.S. border agents. “I’ve been double and triple checking my social media,” said Scotland fan Darius Nesbitt. “That’ll be my main focus now.”
The World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, with 48 teams competing in 108 matches across 16 host cities.
Meanwhile, airlines and travel companies say now is the best time for supporters to book flights ahead of the inevitable surge in demand. Nicholas Smith, digital holidays director at Thomas Cook, noted that fans who plan early can still find reasonably priced routes.
With both the World Cup and the 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the United States is bracing for huge numbers of international visitors. Whether the proposed social media checks will be in force by then remains uncertain, but travel experts say that for now, tourists should prepare for stricter screening, ensure all documentation is submitted early, and tidy up their online footprint well before arriving at the airport.
