CBP Updates Traveler Forms, Seeks Feedback by 2026
Published Date: 12/10/2025
Notice
Summary
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is updating the forms and online system travelers use when entering or leaving the U.S. This affects anyone filling out the Arrival and Departure Record (Form I-94) or applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). They’re asking for public feedback by February 9, 2026, to make sure the process stays smooth and efficient without adding extra hassle or costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
8 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 6 costs, 1 mixed.
ESTA Adds Extensive 'High Value' Data Fields
CBP will add several 'high value data fields' to the ESTA application when feasible, including telephone numbers used in the last five years, email addresses used in the last ten years, IP addresses and photo metadata, multiple family member identifiers (names, dates and places of birth, residencies, family phones), biometrics (face, fingerprint, DNA, and iris), and business contact information.
ESTA Website Decommission; Mobile-Only
CBP proposes to decommission the ESTA website application process and require new ESTA applications solely via the ESTA Mobile application; the website would remain available only for information and status checks. CBP says the mobile app supports liveness detection, facial recognition, and NFC-based ePassport chip verification that the website cannot perform.
Romania Removed From Visa Waiver Program
CBP is updating its collections to reflect the removal of Romania from the list of countries approved under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
ESTA Now Requires 5-Year Social Media
To comply with Executive Order 14161, CBP will add social media as a mandatory data element on the ESTA application and require applicants to provide their social media activity for the last five years.
Voluntary Exit Reporting via App
CBP will add a Voluntary Self-Reported Exit (VSRE) feature to the CBP Home mobile app so aliens subject to I-94 requirements can voluntarily submit passport biographic data, a facial image (a selfie is required if using this feature), and geolocation to show they departed the United States. CBP will use liveness detection and compare the selfie to CBP-held facial images and then record a confirmed departure in the Arrival and Departure Information System (ADIS).
ESTA Photo Requirement (Selfie)
CBP intends to require that ESTA applicants provide a photograph of their face (a 'selfie') in addition to the passport biographical page photo; third-party appliants (e.g., travel agents or family) would still be allowed but must provide a photograph of the ESTA applicant. ESTA Mobile already requires a live photo; the website will be updated to require photos as well.
VWP Expansion and Burden Update
CBP updated its estimated paperwork burden to account for additional countries being added to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) over the next three years and has recently revised the collection to add Qatar into the VWP. CBP invites public comment on the PRA burden of these VWP designation changes.
ESTA Mobile Application Time Burden
CBP estimates the ESTA Mobile Application requires 22 minutes per response and estimates 14,484,073 annual respondents for that collection, for a total estimated annual burden of 5,310,827 hours.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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