Exclusion of Strict Entry Rules for Tourists into the US Before Mid-Year

SadaNews - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has stated that the stricter entry requirements for tourists coming from more than 40 countries to the United States are unlikely to take effect before mid-2026.

The agency mentioned, according to the German news agency, that the details of the proposed changes have not yet been finalized. It noted that the public comment period for the draft rules ended last Monday, and the submitted requests must now be reviewed, a process that typically takes up to two months.

Under the proposal, travelers applying through the electronic Travel Authorization system will be required to provide more personal information.

This could include tourists disclosing details of their social media presence over the past five years, in addition to contact information

and additional family data, although the proposal does not specify the exact scope.

The Customs and Border Protection agency reported that these measures aim to protect against terrorist threats and others.

The changes are expected to affect citizens from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows visa-free travel to the United States for up to 90 days.