The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced stricter rules for photographs used in immigration applications. The agency says the changes will strengthen identity verification and reduce the risk of fraud across the system.
Under the updated policy, USCIS will no longer accept photographs older than three years. In addition, applicants can no longer submit their own photos. Instead, only images captured directly by USCIS or by authorised service providers will qualify.
Previously, USCIS allowed applicants to reuse photographs that were up to 10 years old for certain filings that did not require new biometric collection. That flexibility originated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when in-person appointments were limited.
However, the agency later discovered that some applicants relied on photos taken more than two decades earlier. After pandemic restrictions eased, USCIS reduced the reuse period to 10 years. Officials now say that even this limit fails to meet modern security standards.
Threats are evolving, and so are our screening and vetting. Effective immediately, if your photo on file with USCIS is more than three years old when you file a new immigration form, we will schedule you for an appointment to take a new photo. More: https://t.co/PiGslbZ0Gr pic.twitter.com/XVp4uOe7gx
— USCIS (@USCIS) December 12, 2025Why USCIS Changed the Policy
USCIS explained that a person’s physical appearance can change significantly over long periods. As a result, outdated photographs weaken the agency’s ability to confirm identity and properly screen applicants.
According to the agency, the previous policy reduced the effectiveness of immigration checks and created vulnerabilities in fraud prevention. Therefore, the new three-year limit aims to ensure that identity verification remains accurate and reliable.
Under the revised standard, USCIS may reuse a previously collected photograph only if it was taken within the past 36 months at a biometric services appointment. This rule applies to most immigration benefit requests.
However, several applications still require fresh biometrics, including a new photograph. These include Form N-400 (Naturalisation), Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship), Form I-90 (Replacement Green Card), and Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status).
Read: Trump Administration Orders Heightened H-1B Visa Vetting
USCIS also confirmed that it retains the authority to request a new photograph in any case, even if an existing image meets the reuse criteria.
Applicants should plan for updated biometric appointments and avoid relying on old photographs when preparing immigration paperwork. USCIS says the tighter standards will improve security while maintaining consistency across the immigration process.
