Some UAE residents are questioning whether they would make their Facebook and Instagram profiles public when applying for a US visit visa, as social media transparency is increasingly considered during visa evaluations.
UAE: Would you allow public access to your Facebook and Instagram accounts for a US visit visa?
Are you prepared to make your Facebook, Instagram, or other personal social media accounts accessible to obtain a US tourist visa? Travelers could face this question if a proposal by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is approved, which would require visitors to provide up to five years of social media history for review.
Dubai-based US attorney and legal director of The American Legal Centre, Shai Zamanian, told Khaleej Times that the main legal issues surrounding the proposal relate to privacy and freedom of expression. Many people are concerned that the US reviewing years of social media activity could reveal personal opinions unrelated to security, potentially causing travelers to self-censor online. Questions have also been raised about how the data will be stored and whether it will truly enhance national safety.
The CBP submitted a plan on Tuesday, December 9, which reportedly requests an extensive array of personal information from US visa applicants. This could include social media accounts, email addresses used over the past ten years, and details about family members such as names, birth dates, places of birth, and places of residence. Currently, citizens from visa waiver countries participate in the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program, paying $40 and providing basic details such as email, home address, phone number, and an emergency contact. The authorization remains valid for two years.
Zamanian emphasized that US authorities have broad legal powers to screen individuals seeking entry. He explained that under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the government is authorized to collect information for security purposes. Courts have repeatedly upheld the country’s strong border search powers. Additionally, the Homeland Security Act grants the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wide discretion to gather information to prevent potential threats.
Why now?
If approved, the CBP proposal would impact travelers eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens from 42 countries to visit the US for up to 90 days without a visa, provided they obtain electronic travel authorization first. Visitors from nations such as the UK, France, Germany, and South Korea may soon be required to provide access to up to five years of their social media activity.
Zamanian highlighted that the central question is not whether the US has the authority to implement such measures, but why it has chosen to act now and why it is targeting countries typically considered low risk.
He explained, “The reason is straightforward: travelers from the UK, France, Germany, and South Korea can currently enter the US without a visa, meaning millions arrive annually with minimal pre-screening. Authorities are concerned that this creates potential security gaps.”
The Dubai-based attorney also noted that recent attacks in Europe have demonstrated that online radicalization can occur anywhere.
He added, “For instance, the 2016 Nice attacker was influenced by extremist content on the internet, the 2017 London Bridge attackers had shared radical posts online, and German authorities have thwarted multiple plots involving young people recruited through platforms like Telegram. These incidents have shown US security agencies that modern threats often emerge from digital activity rather than traditional physical networks. This is why social media is now viewed as a crucial component of contemporary border security checks,” Zamanian said.
Safeguards against unreasonable searches
Dubai-based technologist and cybersecurity specialist Rayad Kamal Ayub emphasized the importance of protecting travelers from intrusive or unjustified searches.
Ayub noted that while the US CBP proposal is still in its preliminary phase and full details will only be revealed upon official announcement, the legality of examining social media accounts largely hinges on privacy protections under the US Fourth Amendment, which guards against unreasonable searches and seizures.
“Although the government can implement certain screening measures for immigration and national security purposes, it must carefully weigh these against individual privacy rights,” explained Ayub, who serves as managing director of the UAE-based Rayad Group’s Immigration Company.
He further commented on the rationale behind tighter immigration checks, stating that “the US government’s push for more thorough vetting likely reflects growing concerns over national security and terrorism. In an era of global instability and increasing cyber threats, officials may consider stricter scrutiny necessary to ensure public safety.”
However, Ayub stressed that the potential effects on travelers cannot be ignored. “If this measure is enacted, it could significantly change the travel experience, making it more intrusive. Visitors may encounter longer border delays, closer examination of their online presence, and even the possibility of being denied entry based on their social media history,” he warned.
