Beginning December 26, 2025, U.S. border officials can photograph all non-U.S. citizens when they enter and when they leave the country. The rule covers airports, seaports, and land crossings and is part of a long-planned biometric “entry-exit” system to verify identity, spot document fraud, and track overstays.
What is Changing
- Who is covered: All non-citizens. That includes visitors, students, work-visa holders, permanent residents, and other foreign nationals. Prior carve-outs for children under 14 and adults over 79 are removed. U.S. citizens are not part of the new requirement.
- Where it applies: All ports of entry and departure as systems roll out. CBP already uses facial comparison for many arrivals and some departures at airports. The new rule authorizes broader use at air, sea, and land crossings.
- When it starts: The effective date is Dec 26, 2025. Implementation will expand in phases as equipment is installed and lanes are configured. Expect the earliest full coverage at major airports and cruise terminals.
Why the U.S. is Doing This
DHS says photographing non-citizens at both entry and exit improves identity checks, reduces passport fraud, and makes it easier to confirm who actually departed the country. Congress has pushed for a biometric entry-exit system for years; this rule is the mechanism to complete it.
What the process looks like
- At airports: You will pause briefly at the gate or checkpoint in front of a camera. The photo is matched to the image tied to your passport or visa record. Boarding then proceeds as usual if there is a match.
- At land borders: CBP is expanding cameras in vehicle and pedestrian exit lanes to capture a quick photo as travelers depart. Expect pilot lanes first, then wider coverage.
- At seaports: Similar camera checks when you embark or disembark for international sailings.
What Happens to Your Data
CBP compares your live photo to your travel record, then stores biometric data in DHS systems. Reports indicate foreign traveler biometrics can be retained long term, while photos of U.S. citizens captured by airline partner devices are generally deleted within hours. Privacy and cybersecurity groups have flagged the risks of large, long-lived biometric databases, citing past breaches and the sensitivity of immutable identifiers like faces and fingerprints.
Practical Tips for Travelers
- Arrive a bit earlier at busy international airports while systems scale up, especially during holidays.
- Remove hats and sunglasses at biometric points so matches are quick and accurate.
- Keep your documents updated. If your appearance changed significantly since your last passport photo, renew early to reduce mismatch issues.
- Know your category. Permanent residents and long-term visa holders are included. If you travel frequently, expect the exit photo every time you depart.
Common Questions
Will this slow down boarding and border lines?
CBP says facial comparison is faster than manual checks and should speed processing once lanes are fully deployed. Early rollouts can still create short bottlenecks while equipment and staffing settle in.
Is DNA collection part of this for travelers?
The rule focuses on photographs and, in some circumstances, other biometrics for non-citizens. Some news coverage references broader biometric authorities, but the core change most travelers will see is the exit photo. Follow official guidance at your departure point.
What about kids and older travelers?
Previous exemptions are lifted. CBP can photograph children under 14 and adults over 79 at exit and entry as systems deploy.
Can I opt out?
For non-citizens, this is a required identity step under the final rule. U.S. citizens retain additional opt-out options in some airline document checks, but that is separate from CBP’s exit photos for foreign nationals.
The Debate to Watch
Supporters argue biometrics cut impostor travel and help verify that visitors leave when they should. Critics warn about misidentification risks and the security of vast photo galleries managed by agencies and vendors. A widely cited concern is that biometric data, once compromised, cannot be changed like a password. Expect continued scrutiny of retention timelines, vendor safeguards, and audit transparency as the system scales.
Bottom Line
If you are not a U.S. citizen and you plan to fly, sail, or drive out of the United States after December 26, 2025, expect to have your photo taken at exit. Build a little extra time into your connection, follow staff instructions at the camera point, and keep documents ready. The policy aims to confirm identity more reliably at the border, and it will become a normal part of leaving the country in the months ahead.
