DNA Not Required for ESTA Right Now, CBP Sees Future Data Use

U.S. border officials are not asking visitors to hand over DNA to get an ESTA travel authorization, but a new government proposal has put that idea on the table and sparked a fresh debate about how much personal data Americans collect at the border.

On December 10, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection published a notice in the Federal Register (listed as FR Doc. 2025-22461) proposing changes to the information it collects through I-94 and the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), used by travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program. The agency described DNA as one of several “high value data elements” that could be collected “when feasible,” alongside biometrics such as face images, fingerprints, and iris scans.

What the proposal would change

CBP’s notice would expand both new and existing data collection fields. Key proposed additions include:

• DNA listed among “high value data elements” to be collected “when feasible.”
• Expanded historical contact and account information:
  • 5 years of social media identifiers
  • 5 years of phone numbers (personal, family, and business)
  • 10 years of email addresses (personal and business)

The notice ties the expansion to border security and identity verification goals, including fraud detection.

Scope and who would be affected

• The proposal would apply to all Visa Waiver Program travelers — roughly 14 million annual ESTA users (per the source material).
• Existing, valid ESTA approvals would not be affected until travelers renew.
• Any redesigned system could shape what future applicants are asked to provide and how often they must update records.

Procedural changes under consideration

One near-term procedural change CBP proposed is moving ESTA to a mandatory “ESTA Mobile App”, decommissioning the current website. The agency also described a “CBP Home” app with features such as:

• Sharing geolocation data to prove departure
• Submitting “liveness-detection” selfies to show the person is real and present

For travelers, these steps would make the border process feel more like a continuous digital file that follows them beyond the airport.

Timeline, comment period, and current status

• CBP has not issued a final rule, and nothing in the notice creates a current DNA requirement for ESTA users.
• The plan is open for public comment until February 9, 2026. Comments can be sent to [email protected].
• There is no effective date yet, and CBP has not defined what “when feasible” would mean in practice for DNA collection.

Important takeaway: This is a proposal, not an implemented requirement. The public comment period and absence of a final rule mean the idea could be revised, narrowed, or dropped.

How feasible is DNA collection for casual travel?

The DNA reference is notable because current technology and logistics do not support casual travel DNA collection:

• The notice’s qualifier “when feasible” acknowledges limitations.
• No mobile technology exists today that can reliably take a DNA sample the way a smartphone captures a selfie.
• Critics view the mention as preparatory groundwork that could make future mandates easier to justify if/when collection tools exist.

Connection to broader policy directives

The proposal traces back to 2025 directives:

• Executive Order 14161 (January 2025)
• An April 4, 2025 memorandum directing expanded data collection on government forms

CBP framed the changes as part of broader border security efforts, emphasizing identity proofing and compliance with federal directives.

Related biometric entry/exit changes with firm dates

Separately, CBP is moving ahead with mandatory biometric entry and exit scanning that does have a start date:

• December 26, 2025: Required scanning for all foreign nationals at U.S. airports (ending some prior exemptions).
• Facial recognition expected initially; fingerprints or iris scans may be added later.

For many travelers, this near-term shift will likely be more noticeable than any speculative DNA request.

How this differs from existing DNA use in immigration

• DNA testing already exists in limited parts of the immigrant visa process, primarily to verify claimed family relationships (e.g., parentage).
• Those tests are typically voluntary, paid by the applicant, processed through AABB-accredited laboratories, and not connected to ESTA.
• The proposed ESTA language does not change those existing immigrant visa practices — it would merely add a possible element to ESTA/I-94 collection if finalized.

Practical impacts for travelers and organizations

• Travelers, airlines, and employers who depend on short-notice business trips are watching the proposal closely.
• Any new data fields on Form I-94 could affect how travelers access and correct records after travel.
• CBP already offers access to I-94 records online at the official I-94 website.

Quick reference summary

Advice for travelers

• Monitor updates directly from CBP and read the agency’s guidance on the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA at CBP’s ESTA site.
• Factor additional screening time into future trips as biometric scanning expands at airports.
• Remember the current, immediate requirement remains the same: apply for ESTA, follow entry rules, and expect more cameras and biometric checks at U.S. airports before any DNA collection becomes anything more than a line in a Federal Register proposal.

People trying to separate rumor from reality should note that social media claims of an existing DNA requirement for Visa Waiver travelers are not supported by the text or timeline of the Federal Register notice.