August Relaunch: exclusive discounts coming soon
Xender Facebook logo Linkedin logo Instagram logo Youtube logo
  (+1) 469 463 5461
WhatsApp
WhatsApp Message
Perplexity ChatGPT Claude Gemini

U.S. Green Cards and Visa Holders to Face Photographing Vetting From December

Perplexity ChatGPT Claude Gemini
U.S. Green Cards and Visa Holders to Face Photographing Vetting From December

The United States administration is about to implement photographic vetting of all non-citizens when they enter or exit the United States. In support of this implementation, the authority has cited advances in facial recognition technology that can detect illegal activities swiftly and with increased precision.

As per the official documents in the Federal Register, the US Customs and Border Protection will implement photography and biometric checks at land borders, seaports, and airports from the upcoming month of December. This vetting will extend to all non-citizens of the U.S., including green card holders living in the country.

As one of the leading EB-1A experts in the industry, we are continuously monitoring the visa landscape and sharing our comprehensive breakdowns about these developments. As always, here is our clear breakdown of this new update as always.

Why is this update significant?

This rule first surfaced in 2021. Now it has returned triumphantly as part of the Trump administration’s push for stricter border enforcement. The administration also planned to conduct a closer tracking of the departures. This will help USCIS prevent people who are abusing the system and overstaying their visas. CBP, aka US Customs and Border Protection, has asserted that this implementation can add an additional layer of screening in detecting fraudulent practices and conducting identity checks.

What is about to change?

The policy is going to be effective from December 26, 2025. You can expect the following major changes:

  • Photographing the non-citizens at all departure points in the U.S.
  • Collecting biometric data for increased vetting
  • The facial recognition scan will expand to children under 14 and adults over 79
  • Matching the new photos with the older and already existing images in the government systems.

Here is something interesting and noteworthy that CBP already collects fingerprints and photos from all the travelers entering the country. Now, the similar surveillance will also extend to those exiting the nation.

The statement of CBP

According to several news outlets, CBP has commented on this rigorous vetting in its filing, in the following terms:

“Implementing an integrated biometric entry-exit system that compares biometric data of aliens collected upon arrival with biometric data collected upon departure helps address the national security concerns arising from the threat of terrorism, the fraudulent use of legitimate travel documentation, aliens who remain in the United States beyond their period of authorized stay (overstays) or are present in the United States without being admitted or paroled, as well as incorrect or incomplete biographic data for travellers”

To summarise, the CBP has essentially cited a range of security issues to explain the new measures.

Consequently, all visa holders are likely to witness increased scrutiny, and they should be extra cautious to follow all the official steps. If you need any personalized suggestions or help from our EB-1A green card consultancy, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. We always love to discuss and break down the immigration policies for you in detail.

Recent Post
EB-1A vs. EB-2 NIW vs. O-1A: Which Path Is Right for You?
EB-1A vs. EB-2 NIW vs. O-1A: Which Path Is Right for You?

Merit-based pathways are undoubtedly the best ways to secure permanent residency in the U.S. But, there are differences and variations within the merit-based pathways themselves. There are at least three merit-based immigration avenues in the U.S. that an applicant can pursue by leveraging their genius. In this blog, we break down these three prominent options: EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and O-1A. In this overview, you will get a clear account of their criteria and some common use case scenarios.

UN Rights Chief Calls for "Massive Rethink" of US Immigration Policies Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
UN Rights Chief Calls for "Massive Rethink" of US Immigration Policies Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

As the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the United Nations' top human rights official has issued a stark warning: America's immigration enforcement regime is threatening to overshadow the planet's most-watched sporting event. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called on Wednesday for a "massive rethink" of US immigration and security policies. In support of his argument, he added that reports of visa denials, and aggressive border enforcement are already affecting players, officials, and fans traveling to the tournament.

H-1B Visa Submission to Begin With the FLAG System Back Online
H-1B Visa Submission to Begin With the FLAG System Back Online

As the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system is back online, employers in the United States can once again start submitting applications
When Is Peer Review the Best EB-1A Judging Opportunity and How Should You Manage It?
When Is Peer Review the Best EB-1A Judging Opportunity and How Should You Manage It?

Peer review is often treated as a tactical checkbox in EB-1A strategy. It is thought of as a convenient way to satisfy the “judging the work of others” criterion. That framing is not just shallow; it is strategically dangerous for an EB-1A profile. The real question is not whether you can do peer review, but when it becomes the most credible and defensible expression of your expertise. Showcasing your peer review expertise willy nilly is never a good idea if you are looking to convince the USCIS adjudicators.
Indian Tourists Are Exempted from U.S. Social Media Vetting: Know in Details
Indian Tourists Are Exempted from U.S. Social Media Vetting: Know in Details

In a major development that has caught the attention of global travellers and immigration watchers alike, the United States is proposing new travel screening requirements that would dramatically expand the digital footprint required from many foreign visitors. However, Indian tourists will not be subject to the controversial social media vetting rule.

USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fees for All Visas: Know the New Fees by Category
USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fees for All Visas: Know the New Fees by Category

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change to premium processing fees, with increases that will take effect on March 1, 2026. These changes apply across both non-immigrant work visas and employment-based immigration petitions. If you depend on faster processing to meet career milestones or visa deadlines, the new fee structure directly affects your immigration planning and budget.

“Gold Card” US Visa Explained: Will the Indians-Origin-Immigrants Get Impacted?
“Gold Card” US Visa Explained: Will the Indians-Origin-Immigrants Get Impacted?

The ‘Gold Card’ has emerged as a new allure to investors. But can it replace the EB-1A visa system? Dive in to know.
The Status of Employment-Based Visas for India in the January 2026 Visa Bulletin
The Status of Employment-Based Visas for India in the January 2026 Visa Bulletin

As the U.S. Department of State released the January 2026 Visa Bulletin, Indian professionals tracking their employment-based (EB) immigrant visa progress saw notable priority date movements in the Employment-Based categories.

The Impact of the USA & Iran War on Travel Warnings & Work Visas
The Impact of the USA & Iran War on Travel Warnings & Work Visas

The rising conflict between the United States & Iran might be infringing on the regularity of work visas and business travels. The war may have caused severe travel paralysis and dysfunctions in multiple embassies. And, without a doubt, the consequences could be serious risks to jobs and immigration status.
More Than Fifty Green Card Holders Face Deportations in Re-vetting of Older Cases
More Than Fifty Green Card Holders Face Deportations in Re-vetting of Older Cases

We know from official data that there are over 11 million immigration applications pending in the USCIS database. Yet, the Trump administration announced earlier that it is going to cast a fresh set of eyes on older green card cases and re-evaluate whether any undeserving people got into the system by illegitimate means. Hence, a full-scale re-evaluation of permanent residency cases during the Biden administration is underway. And, in that wide net, around fifty such cases have turned up on the authority’s radar. Moreover, the Trump administration has inaugurated a dedicated unit for the purpose of screening all the past green card cases.