The requirement, set out on Wednesday (10 December) by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), would become part of the Esta visa waiver application process.
US CBP, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, said the measure would strengthen compliance with an executive order made by president Donald Trump in January designed to protect the US from terrorism and other national security and public safety threats.
"CBP is adding social media as a mandatory data element for an Esta application," read the CBP's filing to the Federal Register, the US government's official journal.
"The data element will require Esta applicants to provide their social media from the last five years," it added. No further details of what specific information will be required were given.
Other proposals include gathering phone numbers used by Esta applicants over the past five years and email addresses used over the past 10, as well as more information about their family members.
Agents will still be able to make third-party applications on behalf of their clients, but would be required to provide a photo of the applicant.
A CBP spokesperson, cited by the BBC, reiterated nothing yet had changed and that the proposals were a "first step" towards starting a discussion about now policy options.
Earlier this year, it was confirmed the US would almost double the one-off per person Esta fee from $21 to $40. The Esta scheme is open to nationals from around 40 countries in lieu of a full visa and allow travellers to make multiple visits to the US of up to 90 days over a two-year period.
The US is gearing up for what should be a bumper year for tourism as it celebrates its 250th anniversary of its independence and co-hosts the 2026 Fifa World Cup. It will also host the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Asked whether the proposals could hamper tourism to the US, president Trump swiftly dismissed any concerns and said the aim was to ensure "we're not letting the wrong people enter our country".
