DHS to Snap Pics and Prints of Every Visitor Entering US
Published Date: 10/27/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting December 26, 2025, anyone who isn’t a U.S. citizen will have to get their photo and other biometric info taken when they enter or leave the United States—no matter if they’re at an airport, land border, or seaport. This new rule replaces old pilot programs and expands where biometrics are collected. It affects travelers and could change how quickly you move through customs, so the government is also asking for feedback on the process and costs by November 26, 2025.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Noncompliance Can Trigger Inadmissibility
If a non‑citizen traveler fails to comply with a CBP requirement to be photographed, that noncompliance may result in a determination of inadmissibility or a violation of the person's immigration status.
Mandatory Photo Biometric Checks for Aliens
Starting December 26, 2025, anyone who is not a U.S. citizen (an "alien") may be required to have a photograph taken when entering or leaving the United States at airports, land borders, seaports, or any other authorized point of entry or departure.
Facial Photos Required Regardless of Age
The rule removes prior age exemptions for facial image collection: CBP may collect photographs from all aliens regardless of age (the prior exemptions for individuals under 14 and over 79 no longer apply for facial images). Other biometrics (like fingerprints) may still be subject to age-based exemptions.
Estimated Implementation Costs and Savings
CBP estimates total costs of implementing this rule (to CBP, outbound air travelers, inbound pedestrian travelers, and approved partners) between $993 million and $1.3 billion (discounted 2024 USD) over 2017–2029, with annualized costs of $119–$122 million; estimated cost savings to inbound air and sea travelers and CBP total $406–$578 million (discounted 2024 USD); estimated total net costs range from $587 million to $722 million (discounted 2024 USD), with annualized net costs of $68–$70 million.
U.S. Citizens May Opt In; Quick Photo Retention
U.S. citizens (and U.S. non‑citizen nationals) may voluntarily participate in the biometric verification process; CBP will not retain photographs of U.S. citizens collected for verification in CBP databases once citizenship is verified, and such encounter photos will be discarded within 12 hours of verification.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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