The U.S. government has announced a major update to its border-control policy: from December 26, 2025, all non-citizens will be required to have their photographs taken when leaving the country through airports, seaports, or land crossings.
Under the new regulation by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this rule extends the existing biometric entry system to cover departures for every non-U.S. citizen. This includes lawful permanent residents, visa holders, and other foreign visitors.
While travelers entering the U.S. have already been subject to biometric screening, the new rule makes these checks mandatory during departure as well. It allows officials to capture facial images and potentially other biometric data—such as fingerprints or facial scans—at any official exit point.
The initiative aims to strengthen national security, prevent identity fraud, and reduce visa overstays by matching travelers’ biometric profiles against government databases. However, privacy advocates have raised concerns about the expansion of federal biometric surveillance and the potential for misuse of personal data.
Officials said the policy will be gradually rolled out across major airports and seaports in the next few years, marking a significant move toward a fully integrated biometric exit system across the country.
