In the last weeks, a series of reports stated that the ESTA requirements would be tightened. However, the American Embassy has now informed that these requirements will remain unchanged for the time being.
Uncertainty after a presidential decree
According to the Presidential Executive Order 14161 signed by Donald Trump in January 2026, the US immigration service CBP had proposed a radical change to the ESTA system.
What did the CBP's proposal entail?
According to the CBP proposal, providing social media details on the ESTA form would be mandatory and not voluntary, as it is now. In addition, travellers would no longer be able to submit their applications via the website, but only via the app. In the US immigration service's app, travellers would be required to take a selfie when submitting their application. The app would then use automatic facial recognition to compare the photo with the photo in the passport.
Furthermore, the CBP proposal entailed the collection of a number of additional data, including:
- the telephone numbers and email addresses used by the applicant over the past five years
- IP addresses and metadata of the photos supplied
- details of family members, including place of birth, addresses, and contact details
- biometric data, such as facial recognition, fingerprints, iris scans or DNA
- business telephone numbers and email addresses from the past five years
Clarification from the American Embassy in France
On 11 February, the American Embassy in France published an official announcement about the above-mentioned tightening of the ESTA application procedure. According tho the embassy, no decision has yet been made regarding these additional ESTA requirements. The official announcement explains the next steps for a possible implementation of these changes and that the new requirements wouldn't come into effect before mid-2026.
Applying for an ESTA for the US
The ESTA is the simplest way to comply with the American visa requirement. According to the US government, the application form will remain unchanged in the coming months. If you are planning a holiday, a business trip or transfer in the United States, travelling with an ESTA is the best option. Most European travellers, like Spanish nationals, are eligible for this travel authorisation. On e-Visa.co.uk you can use a Spanish application form. After completing this application form, you must also submit a photo of your passport and an ID photo (selfie).
If you submit your application via e-Visa.co.uk, we will check your application form contains any errors, so that it has less chances to be rejected. If the photos you provide do not comply with the Inmigration Services requirements, you will have the opportunity to upload new fotos. After your application has been submitted, your ESTA will be approved in an average of 3 days. If you are going to travel to the United States in the short term, you can always submit a an urgent application. Urgent applications are mostly approved in an average of 6 hours. You can travel to the US an unlimited number of times with ESTA. The maximum length of stay per visit is 90 days.