Australian travellers face huge data demands in proposed US visa changes

The simple ESTA application could become an ordeal as the US proposes demanding extra family details, biometric data and social media history from Australian visitors. Here are the key changes.

Australians planning US holidays face a tortuous application process under new entry requirements that extend to social media activity, family history and DNA.

Currently, travellers from certain countries including Australia can apply for electronic travel authorisation known as ESTA online before visiting the US at a cost of $US40 ($60).

The relatively straightforward process involves a passport upload and details of travel, health and criminal history; now, however, the Department of Homeland Security wants much more information.

Among changes outlined in a document titled “60-day notice and request for comments” is the requirement for applicants to provide details of social media use over the past five years, biometric data including fingerprints, an iris scan and DNA, and extensive family history extending to the names, addresses, dates and ­places of birth of immediate ­relatives.

The department also plans to close the ESTA website in favour of a mobile phone app, in an effort to enhance security and improve efficiency.

Anthony Albanese said as a sovereign nation, the US had the right to set the rules for entry. “This is a decision that the US is making,” the Prime Minister said in Canberra on Thursday. “We give advice on Smartraveller to Australians travelling to destin­ations overseas about what are the expectations of particular countries, for the US or other ­nations as well; so we comply with the laws.”

In the first instance, a second photograph or “selfie” of the applicant will be required in ­addition to the passport photo, to help verify identity.

Second, would-be visitors may have to hand over details of their social media presence from the past five years to determine their suitability for US travel.

Whether this will extend to the supply of user names and passwords for sites such as Instagram, Facebook and X is not yet clear.

Third, several “high-value data fields” will be added to the ESTA application seeking even more extensive personal information about the applicant.

These include personal and business phone numbers of the applicant from the past five years, personal and business email addresses from the past decade, IP addresses and metadata from electronically submitted photos, and family member names, addresses, phone numbers dating back five years, and dates and ­places of birth.

Visiting New York City could soon require travellers to hand over reams of personal data relating to social media activity, phone numbers and emails as well as family histories. Picture: iStock

Finally, consideration is being given to adding a field for “biometrics” including face, fingerprint, DNA and iris.

It comes at a time when travel to the US from Australia is down on previous years, largely because of the exchange rate and expense of an American holiday.

Bureau of Statistics data showed in the year to September, Australian travel to the US declined 0.3 per cent compared to the previous 12 months.

Comment on the proposed changes is being sought by Customs and Border Protection over the next two months, but there is no specific timeline for implementation. The notice indicated comments should address whether the proposed collection of the extra information would have “practical utility” and sought suggestions “to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of information to be collected”.

Vialto immigration specialist Stacey Tsui said the changes were in line with what the US was doing in other areas but it was not clear “what the government was looking for”.

“If you attended a protest in the past, would that be a basis to deny your ESTA or your visa? That is not clear right now, but that is the fear,” she said. “Our recommendation for ESTA applicants is to apply early in advance; with more information being requested, it very well may take longer to get a decision. People should continue to be mindful of what they post on social media.”

Submissions by email should be made to: [e-mail].

Originally published as Australian travellers face huge data demands in proposed US visa changes