U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, has rolled out an important policy update designed to improve identity verification and reduce immigration fraud. Under the new guidance, photos used for immigration documents must be no more than three years old.
Effective immediately, USCIS will only accept photographs taken within three years of the date an applicant files a USCIS form. In addition, applicants can no longer submit their own photos. Instead, USCIS will rely solely on photos taken by the agency itself or by other authorized entities. The goal is to ensure that every photo used on secure immigration documents is recent, accurate, and reliable, which is essential for preventing identity theft and fraud.
This change also rolls back temporary flexibilities put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic. During that time, USCIS allowed photos to be reused for up to 10 years, even when a person’s appearance may have changed significantly. While those measures were intended to keep cases moving during an emergency, they ultimately made it harder for USCIS to properly verify identities and conduct thorough background checks.
By tightening photo requirements, USCIS is reinforcing its screening and vetting processes and closing vulnerabilities in the immigration system. The update aligns with broader Department of Homeland Security efforts to modernize identity verification and strengthen national security.
It is also important to note that some applications will require a new photo no matter when a prior photo was taken. These include:
- Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
- Form N-400, Application for Naturalization
- Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship
If you are preparing to file any of these forms, or if you have questions about how this policy change may affect your case, contacting an immigration attorney can help ensure your application is filed correctly and without unnecessary delays.