While India has recently extended to 120 days the period during which the 30-day e-Tourist Visa may be used to enter the country, Indian authorities have now announced a revision of the fees applicable to certain categories of electronic visas (e-Visas)…

This sequence may come as a surprise: at the very moment New Delhi is easing entry conditions to facilitate travel, it is simultaneously strengthening the pricing component of its visa system for longer-term or business-related visas.

A significant increase for the e-Business Visa

Among the most notable changes is the increase in the fee for the one-year business eVisa.

Previously priced at US$80, the updated visa fee schedule now shows this visa being offered at a standard rate of US$120.

Depending on the applicant’s nationality, however, the fee may be significantly higher:

• New Zealand: US$130
• Ukraine: US$130
• United States: US$140
• Poland: US$145
• France: US$165
• Czech Republic: US$190
• Thailand: US$200
• Australia: US$215
• Saudi Arabia: US$215
• Philippines: US$220
• Ecuador: US$240
• United Kingdom: US$242
• United Arab Emirates: US$415

These differences reflect a differentiated pricing structure, apparently based on bilateral agreements and/or reciprocity principles.

The five-year e-Tourist Visa also affected

The five-year tourist eVisa is likewise subject to this revision.

Under the new tourist visa fee schedule, its cost increases from US$80 to a standard rate of US$200.

Some nationalities, however, remain subject to substantially higher fees, particularly citizens of the United Kingdom and certain associated territories such as Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man, for whom the price now reaches US$484.

Visa categories remaining unchanged

By contrast, several categories of Indian electronic visas are not affected by any fee changes.

Fees remain unchanged for the following:

• 30-day e-Tourist Visa
• 1-year e-Tourist Visa
• e-Conference Visa
• e-Medical Visa (and e-Medical Attendent eVisa)
• e-Ayush Visa (and e-Ayush Attendent eVisa)

South Korea’s official Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) application portal (www.k-eta.go.kr) published a notice yesterday confirming a one-year extension of the temporary K-ETA exemption for many visa-exempt travelers.

This decision, made by South Korea’s Ministry of Justice and first mentioned last September, aims to support the country’s tourism industry, which has been severely impacted in recent years.

“The Ministry of Justice decided to extend the temporary exemption period for 1 more year to stimulate the tourism industry, the exemption will be effective until December 31, 2026 (KST),” the announcement states.

The extension applies to all countries and regions currently exempt from the K-ETA requirement. Eligible travelers will see an informational message when scanning the identity page of their passport on the application portal.

Who is covered by the K-ETA exemption?

The extension applies exclusively to nationals of countries that are already exempt from the K-ETA requirement. These travelers may continue to enter South Korea without submitting a prior application for as long as the exemption remains in effect.

No additional steps are required to benefit from this exemption, provided travelers meet South Korea’s standard entry requirements.

Nationals of the following 67 countries and territories will be able to continue traveling to South Korea in 2026 without applying for a K-ETA:

K-ETA: Optional, but useful for some travelers

However, the authorities specify that exempt travelers may still choose to apply for a K-ETA, in particular to benefit from certain advantages, such as exemption from presenting the e-Arrival Card upon entry into the country.

In such cases, the K-ETA application remains subject to an administrative fee of 10,000 ₩ (approximately US$8), which is non-refundable. Any K-ETA already issued remains valid until its expiration date, regardless of the exemption period currently in effect.

Following the recent extension, through December 31, 2026, of its unilateral 30-day visa-free policy for nationals of 45 countries, China has confirmed additional relaxations of its entry requirements.

In a recent announcement, the Consular Affairs Department of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the exemption from fingerprint collection for short-term Chinese visa applications has been extended through December 31, 2026.

“To further facilitate the procedure of applying Chinese visa, starting from Dec 17 2025 until Dec 31 2026, fingerprints collection will be exempted for eligible applicants who apply for short-term visas with a stay period of 180 days or less,” the Department said.

The exemption applies to short-stay visas issued for tourism, business, family visits, or transit purposes, provided the length of stay does not exceed 180 days. Unlike the previous measure, which applied only to single-entry and double-entry visas, the waiver now also covers multiple-entry visas.

The ministry nonetheless emphasized that certain visa categories remain excluded from this policy.

Applicants for D, J1, Q1, S1, X1, and Z visas, which involve long-term residence in China and require obtaining a residence permit after entry, will still be required to provide fingerprints, in accordance with current regulations.

A policy of gradual easing over several years

In the days following the announcement, numerous Chinese embassies and visa centers worldwide relayed the information in their own notices, confirming the practical implementation of the measure at the local level.

This includes several diplomatic missions in Europe (Belgium, Sweden, Malta, Northern Ireland,…), Asia (the Philippines, Hong Kong,…), North America (Canada), as well as in Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania (South Africa, Algeria, Egypt, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Australia,…). These offices specified that the exemption applies at the time of application submission, with no biometric appointment required for eligible applicants.

Fingerprint collection was introduced in 2019 for most Chinese visa applicants between the ages of 14 and 70, as part of a broader strengthening of biometric procedures for foreign nationals.

However, in the context of the recovery of international travel following the pandemic, Chinese authorities have gradually eased this requirement. An initial temporary exemption was implemented from August 10, 2023, to December 31, 2023, for certain categories of short-term visas.

Shortly before its expiration, the measure was first extended through December 31, 2024, then extended again through December 31, 2025, alongside an expansion of eligibility to additional applicants.

The newly announced extension through December 31, 2026, therefore follows this trajectory, reaffirming the Chinese authorities’ intention to maintain simplified procedures for short-term stays while continuing to require biometric data for long-term visas.

Since early December 2025, clashes between Cambodian and Thai forces have intensified along their shared border, marking a renewed outbreak of hostilities following a ceasefire agreement reached in October.

The violence has involved artillery exchanges, air strikes, and shelling, resulting in dozens of deaths, hundreds of injuries, and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians on both sides of the border.

The United Nations, ASEAN member states, and other international actors have voiced concern over this escalation, calling for restraint and a swift return to dialogue.

New negotiations aimed at achieving a more durable ceasefire are scheduled, while Phnom Penh has called on Bangkok to hold the talks in a “safe and neutral” location to ensure the security of the discussions.

This deterioration of the regional security environment is also reflected in administrative measures governing cross-border travel. Since August 2025, foreign tourists holding an electronic visa (e-Visa) have no longer been permitted to enter Cambodia from Thailand via the land border crossings of Cham Yeam (Koh Kong Province) and Poipet (Banteay Meanchey Province).

A diplomatic advisory for travelers transiting through Bangkok

On December 16, the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in France issued a “Travel advisory for travelers to Cambodia transiting through Bangkok (Thailand)”, intended to inform travelers that “difficulties have on occasion been reported during air transit at Bangkok Airport (Thailand).”

The embassy reports that some “European passengers in transit have been subjected to excessive and unacceptable checks,” outlining practices that may affect travel preparations.

According to the diplomatic mission, these include “prolonged interrogations prior to boarding,” as well as “unreasonable requests for proof of financial resources” and “detailed verification of accommodation reservations in Cambodia.”

Baggage-related incidents and their impact upon arrival

Beyond administrative checks, the advisory also highlights problems related to baggage handling, noting that “in some cases, these controls have been followed by incidents related to searches and baggage handling, resulting notably in the loss of checked luggage, which has been observed upon arrival in Phnom Penh.”

In response to these findings, the embassy issues a clear recommendation: “as a precautionary measure, travelers are strongly advised to favor travel itineraries that do not include transit through Thailand.” The statement further encourages travelers to consider “alternative airlines offering more appropriate and favorable transit conditions for travel to the Kingdom of Cambodia,” signaling a strategic preference for avoiding transit points likely to generate additional difficulties.

The advisory nevertheless concludes on a reassuring note, emphasizing that despite the situations described, which occur outside Cambodian territory, “the Kingdom of Cambodia remains a safe and welcoming destination.”

Until recently, India’s 30-day tourist e-Visa imposed a strict constraint on travelers: applications could only be submitted within 30 days prior to arrival in India.

As of Thursday, December 18, this validity window has been extended to four months. The official Indian e-Visa portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in, now allows applicants to enter an arrival date within 120 days.

This change applies only to Electronic Travel Authorizations (ETAs) approved from that date onward and is therefore not retroactive. It allows travelers to plan and complete their administrative formalities earlier, while maintaining the same conditions as the short-term tourist visa. The measure is particularly welcomed by international tourists who organize their trips well in advance.

For travelers wishing to stay longer in India, the one-year tourist e-Visa remains an alternative. It allows stays of up to 90 consecutive days and can also be applied for within 120 days prior to arrival.

First land entry point now authorized with an e-Visa: Raxaul

Another notable development is the expansion of authorized entry points for e-Visa holders. Since its introduction, India’s e-Visa program allowed first entry only by air or sea, through 32 international airports and 6 seaports.

Indian authorities have now added the first land border crossing to this list: Raxaul, located on the India–Nepal border.

This decision facilitates regional travel, particularly for visitors moving within South Asia who wish to enter India by land without applying for a traditional visa through an embassy or consulate.

As of today, entry into India with an e-Visa is permitted through the following points of entry:

International Airports:

• Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bagdogra, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gaya, Goa (Dabolim), Goa (Mopa), Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kannur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Madurai, Mangalore, Mumbai, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Varanasi, and Visakhapatnam.

Seaports:

• Chennai, Cochin, Goa, Mangalore, Mumbai, and Port Blair.

Land Border:

• Raxaul.

Once the first entry has been completed using the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) and the e-Visa entry stamp has been placed in the passport, any subsequent entries into India may be made through all Integrated Check Posts (ICPs) across the country.

Rapid expansion of India’s e-Visa categories

Alongside these adjustments, India continues to expand the range of visa categories available online.

Prior to 2025, the e-Visa system included the following types:

• e-Tourist Visa
• e-Business Visa
• e-Conference Visa
• e-Medical Visa
• e-Medical Attendant Visa
• e-Ayush Visa
• e-Ayush Attendant Visa

In January 2025, Indian authorities introduced two new categories: the e-Student Visa and the e-Student Dependent Visa. In recent weeks, additional categories have been launched to address more specialized needs:

• e-Transit Visa
• e-Mountaineering Visa
• e-Film Visa
• e-Entry Visa
• e-Production Investment Visa

This diversification reflects India’s commitment to further digitizing its immigration procedures and tailoring its visa offerings to a wide range of purposes, including transit, specialized tourism, education, audiovisual production, and investment.

India recently launched the e-Arrival Card

As part of its ongoing modernization of entry procedures, India has also introduced the e-Arrival Card, a digital arrival form for foreign travelers.

Effective October 1, 2025, this new system allows travelers to submit arrival information online, with the aim of streamlining border formalities and reducing paper usage.

The e-Arrival Card can be completed up to 72 hours prior to arrival via the official platform at indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival. It currently operates alongside the traditional paper arrival card, which will remain in use during a transitional period of up to six months.

Indian authorities emphasize that the digital arrival card does not replace a visa, whether electronic or traditional, but serves solely as a declarative arrival form and does not constitute authorization to enter the country.

On December 12, Cameroonian authorities published an information notice for users of the Evisacam platform, which allows foreign nationals to apply online for an electronic visa (e-Visa) to Cameroon.

Launched on April 30, 2023, the e-visa is part of a broader effort to modernize consular services, with the aim of simplifying procedures, reducing processing times, and improving the overall user experience.

It was within this framework, and following enhanced monitoring of financial transactions carried out on the platform, that the authorities indicated they had identified reports of abnormal bank charges affecting an unspecified number of users.

A claims mechanism put in place

“As part of enhanced monitoring of transactions carried out on the Evisacam platform, it has been observed that some users may have experienced abnormal debits on their bank accounts,” Cameroonian authorities announced.

To ensure effective handling of the cases concerned, users are therefore invited to complete a specific claims form, available via the official address: https://claim.evisacam.cm.

The authorities specify that requests submitted through this channel will be processed immediately by the platform’s teams, in cooperation with banking partners, with the objective of “a prompt resolution of the situation.”

While the official notice does not provide precise figures, according to information from VisasNews, some of the reported debits reportedly involved amounts reaching several thousand euros, reinforcing the particular attention paid by Cameroonian authorities to the implementation and monitoring of this claims procedure.

Apologies issued to Evisacam platform users

At this stage, no indication has been given as to the exact number of people affected or the technical origin of the irregularities observed, with the authorities favoring an approach focused on the individual handling of cases.

In their communication, officials responsible for the Cameroon e-visa platform expressed their apologies for any inconvenience caused, while thanking users for their trust and cooperation. Emphasis was placed on the commitment to ensuring the continuity and reliability of the service, which has become a central tool for travelers wishing to visit Cameroon.

A context of modernization and digital diplomacy in Cameroon

This situation arises within a broader context of digital transformation of Cameroonian consular services.

The Ministry of External Relations recently reiterated its commitment to dematerialization during the signing, on December 5, 2025, in Yaoundé, of an amendment to the public-private partnership contract between the State of Cameroon and Impact Palmarès R&D SAS, the company contracted by the Cameroonian government to design, develop, and operate the electronic visa platform.

This amendment is intended in particular to strengthen the security, standardization, and legal and technical compliance of consular services, in line with the presidential vision of digitizing public administration. It forms part of a broader digital governance strategy aimed at improving the efficiency, transparency, and quality of services offered to users, especially those abroad.

During a ceremony held at the El Rancho Hotel in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Directorate of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) officially unveiled on Thursday, December 4, the pilot phase of the new digital embarkation and disembarkation card, known as “iKat.”

Described as an event of “national importance,” the presentation brought together representatives of the Presidential Transitional Council, the Prime Minister’s Office, several government ministries, technical and financial partners, as well as stakeholders from the travel and aviation sectors.

Developed in collaboration with the Haitian Institute of Statistics and Informatics (IHSI), the DIE’s technical partner, the “iKat” project marks a critical step toward modernizing and securing migration procedures in Haiti.

According to the DIE, the digital arrival card “iKat” is designed to “gradually replace the traditional physical card through a pre-established digital subscription, allowing travelers to complete their form online up to 72 hours before arrival.”

DIE Director General Antoine Jean Simon Fénelon took the opportunity to commend Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, “who made iKat his flagship project from the moment it was introduced.”

A tool for administrative modernization and data consolidation

Haitian authorities emphasize that the “iKat” project primarily aims to “optimize the management and monitoring of migration flows within Haitian territory.”

For the government, this modernization is meant to improve traveler processing and strengthen oversight capabilities through the digitalization and centralization of information submitted to authorities.

The system will also help build a reliable and consolidated database, essential for analyzing migratory movements, particularly for monitoring stays that exceed the legal limit of 90 days. The goal is to provide institutions with a coherent, actionable statistical framework for regulatory enforcement.

In addition, the iKat platform will provide the DIE with an upgraded tool for authentication and stay analysis, based on interconnected data that can be shared with partner agencies. This integrated approach is expected to allow faster and more accurate processing of migration information.

According to officials, the unveiling of the “iKat” project “demonstrates the Government’s commitment to strengthening migration governance, improving the quality of services offered to travelers, and firmly anchoring Haiti’s public administration in a culture of innovation and efficiency.”

How to complete the “iKat” digital card for travel to Haiti

The digital embarkation and disembarkation card “iKat” can be filled out online through the official platform: delidoc.gouv.ht/ikat, by all travelers, Haitian and foreign alike.

The portal is described as “a tool that allows travelers to provide information in advance, 72 hours before their arrival or departure, to speed up formalities at all entry points, including airports, seaports, and land border crossings.”

Travelers are required to complete the form before departure. “If you fail to do so, you will have to complete it before passing through the various control points, which will complicate your trip,” Haitian authorities warn.

Online, travelers must provide the following information:

Personal Information

• Nationality
• Last name
• First name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Passport number
• Passport expiration date
• Marital status
• Country of birth
• Email address
• Country of residence
• Phone number
• Home address
• Type of accommodation during stay
• Address of lodging during stay

Migration information

• Means of transportation (air, land, or sea)
• Date of arrival in Haiti
• Country of departure
• Purpose of stay (tourism, business, work, study, health, other)
• Length of stay
• Airline name (or land/sea arrival information)
• Flight number (or land/sea arrival information)
• Port of embarkation
• Port of disembarkation (Port-au-Prince Toussaint Louverture International Airport, Cap-Haïtien Hugo Chavez International Airport, Les Cayes International Airport, Jacmel International Airport, etc.)

Customs information

• Family members traveling together
• Goods to declare
• Currency exceeding 400,000 Gourdes or 10,000 USD to declare
• Food items to declare
• Other customs declarations

Health information

• Health issues to declare
• Countries visited in the past 3 weeks
• Emergency contact
• Emergency contact phone number

Once the form is completed and successfully submitted, a PDF document containing a QR code can be downloaded directly from the portal and is also emailed to the traveler. This document must be presented upon arrival in Haiti, either printed or stored digitally (phone, tablet, etc.).

A nine-character alphanumeric code is also provided, allowing travelers to modify the form in case of errors or changes to travel information.

One day after announcing sweeping changes to the ESTA program, including enhanced social-media screening and the new requirement to use its dedicated mobile app, the U.S. government today opened the portal trumpcard.gov, officially launching “The Trump Gold Card”, a program offering an accelerated path to permanent residency in exchange for a substantial financial contribution.

The program is built on a simple premise: upon paying a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and, pending an in-depth background review, making a $1 million contribution, applicants become eligible for fast-tracked permanent residency.

“THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT’S TRUMP GOLD CARD IS HERE TODAY! A direct path to Citizenship for all qualified and vetted people. SO EXCITING! Our Great American Companies can finally keep their invaluable Talent,” Donald Trump celebrated on Truth Social.

According to the information published on the site, this status falls under the EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories, which are typically reserved for highly skilled individuals or those providing a “substantial benefit” to the United States. The government frames the financial contribution as a concrete demonstration of this added value.

The application process consists of three steps: submission of the application and initial payment, security vetting by USCIS, and then approval granting the ability to use the card throughout the country.

Benefits designed for businesses as well

“Very excitingly for me and for the country, we’ve just launched the Trump Gold Card… all funds go to the United States Government. It could be a tremendous amount of money… It’s somewhat like a green card, but with big advantages over a green card,” the President explained.

The new program also includes a corporate version: the “Trump Corporate Gold Card.”

For $2 million per employee, plus a $15,000 DHS fee, a company can obtain permanent residency for the employee of its choice.

One key feature promoted is transferability: a company may stop sponsoring one employee and reassign the contribution already paid to another, subject to a 5% transfer fee and a new security screening. An annual 1% fee is also required.

The U.S. administration argues that this mechanism will allow international businesses to “rapidly strengthen their presence in the United States.”

A “Platinum” option in development, featuring lighter tax obligations

The site also mentions a forthcoming “Trump Platinum Card,” currently in a waitlist phase.

With a $5 million contribution, recipients would be allowed to spend up to 270 days per year in the United States without being subject to U.S. taxation on foreign-source income, an advantage not offered under the “Gold Card”.

However, the program will not be available to individuals who have previously been subject to U.S. taxation on non-U.S. income, excluding citizens and certain current tax residents.

Authorities encourage potential applicants to join the waitlist to receive priority processing once the program becomes active.

A structured program for families and taxation

The government confirms that spouses and unmarried children under 21 may be included in the application, though each must separately pay the $15,000 DHS fee and the $1 million contribution.

As with any visa, the “Gold Card” may be revoked for national-security reasons or significant criminal risks.

Unlike the future “Platinum Card”, “Gold Card” holders, as permanent residents, will be fully subject to the U.S. tax system, including taxation of foreign income.

A program already raising questions

The introduction of a visa based on a high financial contribution has immediately drawn attention from observers.

Supporters view it as a way to quickly attract capital and individuals with strong economic potential, while critics question whether U.S. residency is being turned into a financial product.

According to official documents, “the process should take weeks” after receipt of the complete file and payment.

With the launch of the “Trump Gold Card”, the United States enters a new phase of immigration policy, one in which the ability to make a financial contribution becomes a central selection criterion. The debate over the political, economic, and ethical implications is only beginning.

Introduced in July 2024 and originally set to expire on December 31, 2024, Belarus’s visa-free entry program for citizens of 38 European countries was first extended through December 31, 2025.

A new presidential decree has now prolonged the measure once again, this time through December 31, 2026.

The program allows eligible travelers to enter Belarus through all international road and rail checkpoints, as well as via the country’s airports, using a valid travel document.

The maximum stay remains capped at 30 days per entry, starting from the date of arrival. An exception applies to Polish, Lithuanian, and Latvian citizens, as well as individuals holding Latvia’s non-citizen status, who may stay for up to 90 days.

There is no limit on the number of entries, but total visa-free time in Belarus may not exceed 90 days per calendar year. Transit to third countries is permitted, except for the Russian Federation.

The program does not apply to holders of diplomatic, service, or equivalent passports, except for biometric diplomatic passports issued by EU member states, which are already covered under the EU–Belarus visa facilitation agreement.

Over 1.2 million European visitors to Belarus since 2024

According to the State Border Committee, the visa-free regime has significantly boosted cross-border travel. Since the program took effect, more than 1,243,000 European citizens have visited Belarus.

Neighboring countries account for the bulk of arrivals:

• Latvia: 399,842 visitors
• Lithuania: 658,575 visitors
• Poland: 130,089 visitors

Among citizens of the 35 other European countries also eligible for visa-free entry, 54,845 visits have been recorded. More than 22,000 German nationals were among them, the border authority noted.

So far this year alone, more than 210,000 foreign nationals from the 38 eligible countries are estimated to have traveled to Belarus.

E-Visa program gains momentum

In addition to the visa-free regime, since March 2025 Belarus has been offering an electronic visa (e-Visa) to travelers from 67 countries, including European countries.

Svetlana Karanevich, head of the e-commerce department at the National Center for Electronic Services (NCES), recently reported steady growth in the program.

“Since its launch on March 20, around 1,500 e-visas have been issued,” she said. Applications have come from a diverse list of countries, the United States, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, France, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Spain, reflecting what she described as “broad geographical reach.”

Belarusian authorities continue to emphasize their commitment to maintaining a welcoming environment for foreign visitors and economic partners. They state that they are creating “all the conditions necessary for a comfortable and safe stay, demonstrating the hospitality and friendliness that are an integral part of Belarusian society.”

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a notice today in the Federal Register opening a 60-day public comment period on a series of proposed changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), used by travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). These proposals, still in draft form, aim to strengthen identity verification, modernize traveler-facing tools, and meet new regulatory requirements.

The CBP notice is part of the Paperwork Reduction Act, which requires federal agencies to submit new data-collection initiatives for public review before approval.

CBP is inviting citizens, experts, and agencies to comment on the necessity, relevance, and impact of these potential changes, which could ultimately reshape how travelers obtain authorization to enter the United States.

Is ESTA about to move away from web-based applications?

One of the most significant proposals would end the submission of ESTA applications through the website, shifting exclusively to the “ESTA Mobile” app.

The website would remain available to provide information and allow users to check the status of an authorization, but it would no longer accept applications.

Several factors are driving this change:

• A large number of poor-quality passport photos uploaded on the website, preventing reliable facial comparison;
• The website’s inability, unlike the mobile app, to read passport chips using NFC;
• Increasing exploitation of technical vulnerabilities by fraudsters uploading forged documents;
• A rise in fraudulent third-party websites charging travelers without actually submitting applications to CBP.

The mobile app, already used by millions of travelers, incorporates enhanced identity-verification features: mandatory live selfie checks, facial recognition, and electronic passport-chip reading.

Social media at the heart of traveler screening

As part of the implementation of Executive Order 14161, signed in January 2025 to bolster protections against foreign threats, CBP is proposing to make the disclosure of social media handles used in the past five years mandatory for all ESTA applicants.

Previously optional, this information would become a key component of the security vetting process carried out by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

CBP states that this measure is intended to harmonize practices across federal agencies and adapt the vetting process to modern communication methods and digital identity patterns.

The stated objective is to improve the government’s ability to identify inconsistencies, identity fraud, or possible links to individuals or organizations deemed national-security risks.

Mandatory photo for all ESTA applications

CBP is also proposing to make the capture or upload of a selfie mandatory for all ESTA applications, whether submitted through the website or by a third party.

In practice, the official portal (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) already asks most travelers to upload a face photo in addition to their passport image. However, this requirement is not applied uniformly and does not involve live image capture, unlike the mobile app.

The proposed change would extend to the website the requirement already in place on the ESTA Mobile app, which mandates an instant photo automatically compared with the passport image through CBP’s biometric-verification system.

This harmonization may seem surprising, since CBP is considering ultimately reserving application submission exclusively for the mobile app, meaning the website update may simply serve as a temporary stopgap before a full transition to mobile-only processing.

A significant expansion of collected data: The “High-Value Data Elements”

To comply with federal directives issued in 2025, CBP is proposing to add a series of high-value security fields to ESTA, in addition to the information already collected.

These would include:

• Phone numbers used within the past five years;
• Email addresses used within the past ten years;
• IP addresses and metadata associated with submitted photos;
• Names, birth details, addresses, and contact information for immediate family members;
• Additional biometric data, including facial, fingerprint, and iris data, and, when applicable, DNA;
• Professional phone numbers and email addresses from the past five to ten years.

These additions are intended to standardize federal forms and strengthen tools used to detect fraud or identity theft.

Voluntary Self-Reported Exit: A pilot program running parallel to ESTA changes

Alongside its proposed updates to ESTA, CBP notes that it is already testing the Voluntary Self-Reported Exit (VSRE), a feature allowing travelers subject to the I-94 requirement to voluntarily report their departure from the United States through the CBP Home app.

Travelers can submit their biographic information, a mandatory selfie, and their geolocation, data that allows CBP to biometrically confirm that they have left the country.

This feature, considered useful for reducing uncertainty around departures (especially at land borders), could help travelers demonstrate compliance with their authorized stay when seeking entry in the future.