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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has immediately implemented a new policy that significantly changes how applicants' photographs for immigration benefits are used, a measure that directly affects processes such as adjustment of status, renewal of the green card, and naturalization.
The update was initially announced through an informational alert and later detailed in an official guide published on the agency's website.
The change imposes strict limits on the age of photos that USCIS can reuse to issue immigration documents, arguing that it will enhance national security and reduce identity fraud.
From now on, USCIS will only be able to reuse facial photographs taken within the three years prior to the date the foreign national submits a new form to the agency.
If the image recorded in the system exceeds that time, the applicant will have to wait to be called in for a new one.
USCIS reinforced the message through its official account on X, where it warned that threats constantly evolve and, for that reason, selection and verification processes must evolve as well.
"With immediate effect, if your photo registered with USCIS is more than three years old at the time of submitting a new immigration form, we will schedule an appointment for you to take a new photo," he emphasized.
The agency explained that this rule takes effect immediately and does not include transition periods.
Another key change is that USCIS will no longer accept self-submitted photographs from applicants.
From now on, only images captured by the agency itself or by authorized entities will be used.
According to the official statement, this decision aims to ensure that "every photo used in a secure document is recent, accurate, and reliable," conditions deemed essential to prevent identity theft and other types of fraud.
The measure reverses the relaxations adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic, when USCIS allowed the use of photographs up to 10 years old, even in cases where the applicant's physical appearance had changed significantly.
According to the agency, those exceptions remained in effect longer than necessary and ultimately jeopardized its ability to verify identities and conduct adequate security investigations.
In its statement, USCIS emphasized that rigorous background checks and security processes are essential to the integrity of the U.S. immigration system.
He also pointed out that this adjustment is in line with the priorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to modernize control mechanisms and close vulnerabilities in identity documents.
Although the policy generally applies to immigration benefit applications, USCIS clarified that certain forms will require a new photograph, regardless of when the last photo of the applicant or petitioner was taken.
These are the forms that will require a new photo
Form I-90, to replace the permanent resident card
Form N-600, to apply for a certificate of citizenship
I-485 form, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
N-400 Form, for Naturalization
The published guide also makes it clear that the agency retains the discretionary power to request a new photograph in other cases, even when a recent image is on file, and it establishes additional criteria related to the age of applicants.
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