USCIS tightens immigration photo rules, limits reuse to 3 years

January 19, 2026

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced stricter rules governing the use of photographs in immigration applications, ending the long-standing practice of reusing older images and eliminating self-submitted photos.

Under the updated policy, USCIS will no longer reuse photographs taken more than three years ago for immigration and benefit applications. Applicants will instead be required to provide updated biometric photos captured through official USCIS processes, such as biometrics appointments, to enhance identity verification and system integrity.

According to the agency, the change is aimed at strengthening security and reducing identity fraud, particularly as immigration systems become increasingly digitised. Older photos, USCIS noted, may no longer accurately reflect an applicant’s appearance, increasing the risk of misidentification.

The new rule also discontinues the acceptance of self-submitted photographs in cases where USCIS-captured biometrics are required. This move aligns with broader federal efforts to standardise identity verification across immigration and border-related services.

Immigration analysts say the policy could lead to more frequent biometrics appointments, especially for applicants with long-running cases or those filing multiple applications over several years. While this may increase processing steps, USCIS maintains that the benefits to security and accuracy outweigh the inconvenience.

The update is expected to affect a wide range of applicants, including those seeking green cards, employment authorisation documents, and other immigration benefits where photographs are a required component.

USCIS has advised applicants and legal representatives to review current application requirements carefully to avoid delays, as submitting outdated or non-compliant photos could result in requests for evidence or rescheduled appointments.

The policy takes effect immediately and forms part of USCIS’s broader push to modernise immigration processes while tightening safeguards around identity management.