New Photo Policy (USCIS)

[Edward and Jaycel 2,385]

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing new guidance that limits the age of foreign nationals’ photos that can be used to create immigration documents to no more than three years. This update enhances national security and prevents identity fraud.

Effective immediately, the new guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual limits the use of photos to those that were taken within three years of the date a person files a USCIS form.

Additionally, self-submitted photos will no longer be accepted. Only photos taken by USCIS or other authorized entities will be used. This ensures every photo used in a secure document is recent, accurate, and reliable—key requirements to preventing fraud and identity theft.

Robust screening and vetting processes are critical to protecting the security and integrity of the U.S. immigration system. COVID-19-era flexibilities, which allowed the reuse of photos for up to 10 years even if a person’s appearance changed significantly, were kept in place longer than necessary. This compromised USCIS’ ability to verify, identify, and properly screen aliens.

This policy change aligns with Department of Homeland Security priorities to modernize screening and vetting processes and address the vulnerabilities in identity documents.

 

Certain forms will require a new photo, regardless of when an applicant’s or petitioner’s last photograph was taken. These include Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card; Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status; Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; and Form N-600, Application for Certificate of Citizenship.

[AUTtoPA 27]

So I assume they will take a photo at the interview for my pending I-485 instead of using the photos included in the application?

[Edward and Jaycel 2,385]

46 minutes ago, AUTtoPA said:

So I assume they will take a photo at the interview for my pending I-485 instead of using the photos included in the application?

They will take a photo and fingerprints at the interview regardless of the new policy.... I think this is more towards limiting the "Biometrics Reuse" when filing for a benefit. If you haven't had a picture taken by USCIS within 3 years then they will not reuse biometrics data they collected further back than that 3 years and it looks like they will schedule you for a new appointment regardless of the last biometrics taken when you submit one of the applications listed in the policy. 

[JeanneAdil 7,382]

Since the following has always been the policy,  i assume officers were not following their own policy

 

Your photos must have been taken within 6 months of submitting your application and reflect your current appearance.

 

that's under photo policy 

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/frequently-asked-questions.html

 

they also are suppose to take photos and fingerprints after applying here in US for AOS, I 851,  N 400.  at biometrics appointment    

i am going to assume the letter is more to tell immigration officers to do the job as when reading the letter, it indicates they relaxed to much during covid by not doing biometrics because offices were closed 

[Scandi 4,364]

What is actually new though? When I went through my journey (from 2015 to 2021) I had to have a biometrics appointment for ALL of my applications, didn't matter that I just had my biometrics taken a few weeks earlier for a different application. We did not have a "3 year rule", you had a biometrics with every single application no matter if it was 10 years ago, or 1 month ago.

The only thing that changed during my immigration journey was that they decided to reuse old biometrics temporarily due to covid (I still had all my biometrics taken with every application, but many didn't).