On October 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced new rules that will require all non-U.S. citizens travelling to the United States - including Canadians - to have their photograph taken when entering or leaving the U.S. 

The new rules are set to take effect on December 26, 2025.  However, it could take up to 5 years before new biometric technology is in place at every border point. 

Most U.S. airports already use facial recognition technology to verify traveller identities, but the new rules will expand its use to land border crossings and sea ports. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has indicated that it expects to start rolling out this technology at land border crossings in early 2026, although no official dates have been given yet.

The process for having your photograph taken at U.S. land border crossings is also not yet clear, but there has been some indication that travellers will not have to leave their vehicles to have their photographs taken.

Several countries have been using biometrics such as facial recognition and/or fingerprinting for some time now at border points, including Canada, the U.K., China, India, Australia, New Zealand and all European Union countries. 

Why is the U.S. expanding the use of biometrics?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is expanding facial recognition at all ports of entry in order to crack down on fraudulent documents and visa overstays, and for matters of national security.

Eventually, the new policy will require anyone entering or leaving the U.S. to have their photograph taken at airports, as well as when crossing the border by land and when docking or disembarking at a sea port.

You can find more information from the CBP about the U.S. biometrics program here.

Snowbird Advisor will provide more information on these new rules as they become available.