Key Takeaways
• Orlando International Airport launched Enhanced Passenger Processing with facial biometrics in May 2025 to speed up international arrivals.
• The voluntary system uses face scans to match passport photos, reducing lines and letting officers focus on complex cases.
• Photos of U.S. citizens are deleted within 12 hours; non-citizens’ photos are kept legally as entry records.
Orlando International Airport has introduced a new step for travelers by working together with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to use Enhanced Passenger Processing, known as EPP. Announced in early May 2025, this system uses facial biometrics—that is, computer tools that recognize a person’s face—to make entry faster for people arriving from other countries. The aim is to cut down long waits at the airport, make things smoother for travelers, and still keep everyone safe, even when more people are arriving each year.
How the Enhanced Passenger Processing System Works
EPP focuses on facial biometrics. This means that, instead of showing papers to an officer, your face is your “ticket”. Here’s how it works for U.S. citizens arriving at Orlando International Airport:
- When you get off an international flight, the system will quickly take a photo of your face at a special checkpoint.
– The CBP computer then matches this new photo to the passport photo that’s already in their files. - If the computer confirms who you are and that everything matches, you don’t need to show your documents again. You can go straight to get your bags.
- A CBP officer will only step in if the system finds a problem or needs more checks. For most people, it will be quick and automatic.
This process removes the need for long lines or extra questions for those who are clearly recognized by the system. CBP says that this change lets officers pay more attention to travelers who need help or closer inspection, rather than checking everyone in exactly the same way.
According to VisaVerge.com, the number of international travelers using Orlando International Airport increased by more than 800,000 in 2024 compared to the year before. Most of them were U.S. citizens, which means many people will benefit from the time-saving of Enhanced Passenger Processing.
Who Built and Runs the System
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, the group that runs Orlando International Airport, chose a company called iProov to build this system. iProov is a technology company based in London that creates special tools for checking people’s identities with their face. The company already has experience working with airports and border officers in other countries, using similar technology.
Orlando International Airport started using EPP on only a few international flights as a test. The plan is to have it working for all international flights by the start of the busy summer season in 2025. People don’t need to sign up or fill out any special forms ahead of time to use the system.
Do Travelers Have to Use Facial Biometrics?
No, the program is completely voluntary. Anyone who does not feel comfortable with the facial comparison scan can ask to go through the regular customs screening with a CBP officer instead. You don’t have to pay anything or sign up before arriving. This is important for people who care about controlling their own information or who just prefer to follow the old process.
Privacy and Security: The Controversy
While many people may be glad for faster lines, not everyone is happy about using facial recognition. Some critics point out that taking photos of everyone’s face at the border is a kind of government watching, or surveillance, which brings up privacy concerns. Others worry that doing this for U.S. citizens, without a court order, might not follow the rules set by the Constitution. People want to know how these face photos are used, stored, and kept safe.
To answer these concerns, CBP and Orlando International Airport have made sure the current program is voluntary. If you don’t want your face scanned, you can choose the old process. No one needs to join ahead of time, and there are no extra steps for choosing either way.
CBP has also said that they keep people’s face photos safe and only use them to make sure the right people are entering the country. Once the check is finished, for U.S. citizens, their face photo is usually deleted within 12 hours. For people who are not citizens, the photo is kept and added to their government files, as required by law.
Lance Lyttle, the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, has said, “Technology is driving the way for more efficient passenger operations. Innovative programs like EPP can significantly reduce processing times for passengers without compromising security.”
A Growing Trend Across the Country
Orlando International Airport is not the first or only place to use this new technology. CBP is rolling out facial biometrics at many airports. As of now, the agency uses similar identity checks at 238 airports in the United States, which includes all 14 places where you can go through U.S. customs before getting on your flight to the country (these are called “preclearance locations”). The aim is to help travelers at busy hubs and reduce wait times everywhere, especially in places where many international travelers arrive.
You can find a current list of airport locations and see more about these changes on the CBP’s official biometrics page.
How Has the Law Changed?
This update is less about a new law and more about a change in how existing border security laws are put into practice. The key difference is that CBP now lets computers do the first check instead of only using a human officer for every traveler. There are still officers present, but their job is shifting more toward helping when a problem comes up, rather than checking everyone’s identity in the same way.
In the past, everyone arriving from abroad, whether a U.S. citizen or not, had to show their passport, answer questions, and sometimes wait in long lines for a CBP officer to compare them with their passport photo. Now, for those who choose Enhanced Passenger Processing, the computer matches your face to your passport photo in seconds, and you only see an officer if something does not match up.
The system has also removed the need for travelers to prepare anything special in advance. This makes it easier for most people, since there is no application or approval to wait for before your trip.
Implications for Different Groups
For U.S. Citizens:
– Faster and easier process upon arrival
– No need to show documents again if the system recognizes you
– Full choice to use EPP or the traditional process
– Privacy protections, including deletion of photos after entry checks
For International Visitors:
– While this rollout is focused on U.S. citizens, facial biometrics already apply to many foreign nationals at airports in the United States
– Non-citizens’ face photos are kept as part of their official border entry record
– They also see benefits from reduced wait times and faster checks
For Airlines and Airport Staff:
– More efficient movement of people helps avoid backlogs after flights land
– Security is still strong, as officers can focus where manual checks are really needed
– No extra paperwork or confusion for travelers to manage
For CBP Officers:
– Officers shift from repeating passport checks to dealing with travelers who need more attention—for example, if there is a problem with the match or if someone needs special help
For the Traveling Public:
– Reduced crowding at customs, less standing in lines, and shorter overall arrival times
– More choice in how you are processed when entering the country
Timeline for the Change
- Early May 2025: Partnership with Orlando International Airport and CBP is announced to the public
- Spring 2025: Initial rollout begins with select flights to test the new process
- Summer 2025: Full launch is planned so that all international arrivals can use EPP if they want
- Ongoing: Feedback from travelers and officers will help improve the process with time
How the System Was Chosen
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority made the technology selection after reviewing options from different vendors. iProov was chosen because of their track record building secure and reliable facial biometric systems for airports and government. This partnership is expected to help Orlando International Airport handle the record number of travelers it now welcomes each year.
Questions and Answers About the Program
Do I have to sign up in advance to use Enhanced Passenger Processing at Orlando International Airport?
– No, you don’t have to do anything before your flight. Just follow the signs when you arrive.
What happens if I don’t want my face scanned?
– You can choose the regular process, where you present your passport and talk to a CBP officer.
Is there a cost to use EPP?
– No, the program is completely free.
Will my photo be kept by the government?
– If you are a U.S. citizen, CBP says your face photo will be deleted, usually within 12 hours. For non-citizens, it is stored as part of your entry record.
Is my privacy protected?
– Yes, the system follows strict rules for storing and deleting photos, and you can always opt out.
Debate and Legal Concerns
There has been some debate about whether it is fair or legal for the government to scan the faces of U.S. citizens without a court order. Some privacy advocates remain worried that, even with the opt-out choice, using such systems could lead to more government monitoring in the future. For now, CBP and the airport stress that the program is voluntary and that face photos are not kept, unless required by law for some travelers.
There are no current lawsuits or court cases about this program at Orlando International Airport, but privacy groups say they will keep watching how it is used, especially as more airports consider similar systems.
What Travelers Should Do
If you are traveling through Orlando International Airport from another country, you will notice new options for your arrival process. Here are simple steps to prepare:
- If you are comfortable with facial biometric screening and want a faster process, follow EPP signs when you land.
- If you prefer to avoid the scan, ask a CBP officer for the regular document check.
For more information or updates about EPP and entry procedures, visit the official CBP biometrics airport page.
Summary
Orlando International Airport’s Enhanced Passenger Processing, run with CBP and supported by iProov technology, brings facial biometrics to the customs process. The system aims to shorten lines, help officers focus on important cases, and give travelers more choices. With full privacy protections and a voluntary setup, the change brings both convenience and debate. Travelers and privacy groups will watch closely as the program grows.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, this step marks a big move toward faster, easier, and more secure travel for both citizens and visitors. Compliance will remain simple for travelers, as there is no need for pre-enrollment or special forms—the choice and comfort of each traveler remain at the center of the process. For specific concerns or legal advice about how this may affect you, always consult an immigration professional or review the latest information from CBP.
Disclaimer: This article does not offer legal advice. For questions about your particular situation, please speak to a legal professional or check the most current guidance from CBP.
Learn Today
Enhanced Passenger Processing → A system using facial biometrics to speed up customs by matching faces to passport photos automatically.
Facial Biometrics → Technology that identifies individuals by analyzing unique facial features for security and identity verification.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) → Federal agency responsible for securing U.S. borders and managing traveler entry processes.
Preclearance Locations → Airports outside the U.S. where travelers complete customs checks before boarding flights to America.
iProov → London-based company providing secure facial recognition technology for identity verification in airports and borders.
This Article in a Nutshell
Orlando International Airport introduced Enhanced Passenger Processing using facial recognition to speed arrivals. Voluntary and secure, it reduces long lines and lets officers focus on security. Travelers can opt out anytime. The system handles growing international traffic efficiently and protects privacy by deleting citizen photos quickly after matching identities.
— By VisaVerge.com
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