02/14/2026, 08:2302/14/2026, 08:23
Stricter rules for entry into the USA for tourists from Switzerland and many other countries are not due to take effect until mid-2026 at the earliest. The US border protection authority CBP announced this at the request of the German news agency DPA.
Accordingly, the details of the rules have not yet been finalized. Last Monday, a deadline expired by which objections to the planned changes could be submitted. These must now be checked first.
The plan is for tourists to have to provide significantly more personal information when making the Esta electronic travel application in the future. Discussions include, among other things, the disclosure of information on social media presence over the past five years as well as additional contact and family data. What exactly is meant by this is not clear from the proposal. This affects travelers from more than 40 countries who are allowed to enter the USA visa-free for up to 90 days as part of the so-called Visa Waiver Program. This also includes Switzerland.
Revealing account names of social media accounts?
At the end of last month, CNN reported, citing a hotel and hospitality association from the US state of Florida, that officials had told them that it was about providing account names. However, you do not have to grant access to social media accounts or specific posts. In addition, the border protection authority would not check the social media activities of all applicants, it was said.
According to the border protection authority, the planned changes serve to protect against terrorist and other threats. The review of the comments received usually takes up to two months. All comments on the proposals should also be made publicly available within a few weeks. Changes may then be made before the project can be submitted to the Office of Budget and Management (OMB) for approval. This is preceded by a further 30-day period for new comments. (hkl/sda/dpa)