Do you need to list your social media accounts on an ESTA?
Since June 1, 2019, US authorities have tightened their requirements regarding social media. A change that affects over 15 million visitors to the USA each year!
If you have an account on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, or any other social media platform, be aware of a change in the requirements for entering the United States. US authorities now want more information about your social media activity. Since June 1, 2019, this information has been mandatory for all visa applications.
Social Media and ESTA
- If you’re a European citizen traveling to the United States for vacation or business, you must obtain an electronic travel authorization called ESTA at least 72 hours before your flight. You’ll need to complete a form on the official ESTA website and pay $40. To avoid mistakes, visit this page where I walk you through the ESTA application.
- On the first page of the form, you’ll see a section labeled “Social Media.” This is where you select the platforms you use (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) and enter your username for each one. You can click “Add a Row” to list all your social media accounts.
- However, here’s the key point: providing your social media accounts is optional for an ESTA application. I recommend leaving this section blank, since it’s not required. I’ve never filled it in myself, and it’s never caused any problems—precisely because it’s optional. You’ll be able to continue with the form without any issues.
Social Media and US Visa Applications
- If you’re not a European citizen or need to apply for a visa, the rules are different from ESTA. You’ll follow a different process, which I explain in detail on the page about how to apply for a US visa.
- Since June 1, 2019, you are now required to list your social media accounts when applying for a US visa. Important: you must declare all accounts you’ve opened in the past 5 years, even if you’ve since closed any of them.
- Before submitting your US visa application, I recommend reviewing your posts if needed. US authorities will check that you haven’t posted anything illegal, particularly anything related to terrorism or violent extremism.