U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has rolled out a new photo policy aimed at strengthening identity verification and preventing immigration fraud, limiting how old photographs can be when used to issue immigration documents.
Under the updated guidance, which took effect immediately, USCIS will only accept photos taken within three years of the date an applicant files a USCIS form. The agency will also no longer accept self-submitted photos, relying instead on images captured by USCIS or other authorized entities.
USCIS said the change is intended to enhance national security and reduce the risk of identity fraud by ensuring that photos used in immigration documents are recent, accurate and reliable.
The new rules replace COVID-19-era flexibilities that allowed the reuse of photographs for up to 10 years, even if an individual’s appearance had changed significantly. USCIS said those measures remained in place longer than necessary and weakened its ability to properly verify identities and conduct effective screening.
“Robust screening and vetting processes are critical to protecting the security and integrity of the U.S. immigration system,” the agency said, noting that outdated photos can compromise identity verification and increase the risk of fraud and identity theft.
The policy aligns with broader Department of Homeland Security efforts to modernize screening and vetting systems and address vulnerabilities in identity documents.
USCIS also said that certain immigration forms will now require a new photo regardless of when a previous image was taken. These include:
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Form I-90: Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card
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Form I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
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Form N-400: Application for Naturalization
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Form N-600: Application for Certificate of Citizenship
The guidance was published on December 12, 2025, and applies to all relevant applications filed on or after that date.
