Visitors from 42 countries may soon have to submit 5 years of social media hory to enter US | World News

The changes will be applicable to visitors from 42 countries that are part of the US visa waiver programme. (Photo: ock)

The Donald Trump adminration has proposed asking visitors from several nations to submit additional personal information to be allowed entry into the US. According to a notice published the Department of Homeland Security, this includes five years of their social media hory of such visitors.

Social media, emails, DNA and more

According to CBS News, visitors will also have to provide emails used for the past 10 years and the personal information of immediate family members, including phone numbers and residences.

In addition to this, they may be asked to submit other “high-value data” like their DNA and the personal information of family members, including their date of birth and place of residence.

The visa waiver allows citizens from these countries to enter the US for up to 90 days. (Photo: Unsplash)

Visitors form 42 countries

According to the proposal, posted on the Federal Reger US Customs and Border Protection, the changes will be applicable to visitors from 42 countries that are part of the US visa waiver programme.

This includes European nations like the United Kingdom, Germany, and France, as well as some US allies around the world, including Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.Story continues below this ad

The visa waiver allows citizens from these countries to enter the US for up to 90 days for tourism or business travel, without needing to apply for a visa.

While citizens of these nations typically don’t need visas to travel to the US, they still have to submit an application online using a process known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before entering the country.

Will Indians be affected?

India is not part of the US visa waiver programme or ESTA, and thus Indian citizens won’t be affected the changes.

According to CBP, if an applicant does not answer the question or simply does not hold a social media account, the ESTA application can still be submitted without a negative interpretation or inference.Story continues below this ad

The changes are in line with an executive order President Trump issued earlier this year with the stated objective of denying entry to foreigners who may pose a threat to national security or public safety.