WILLEMSTAD – The United States government is considering a new security measure that would require tourists entering the country under an ESTA authorization to provide five years’ worth of social media activity and phone numbers, according to reporting by De Telegraaf. The proposal could directly affect Curaçao residents planning to travel to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup.
The ESTA — the Electronic System for Travel Authorization — is mandatory for travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including the Netherlands and Belgium. Curaçao travelers using a Dutch passport fall under the same system.
Under the draft proposal from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), visitors may soon be required to disclose usernames and activity on platforms such as Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and others. The measure would also require travelers to provide phone numbers used in the past five years, email addresses from the past decade, and potentially even information about family members.
U.S. authorities argue that the expanded data collection is needed to combat terrorism, transnational crime, and other national security threats. Officials are also considering extending these enhanced vetting rules to student visas, business visas, and residency permit holders.
Another significant change under review is the replacement of the current ESTA website application with a mobile app, which would integrate the new data requirements.
If approved, the policy could increase administrative burdens for international travelers — including those from Curaçao — and may affect travel plans for major upcoming events such as the FIFA World Cup in the United States.