US Expands Biometric Entry-Exit for Non-Citizens by Dec 2025

(UNITED STATES) The Department of Homeland Security will require mandatory biometric data collection for all non-U.S. citizens at every point of entry and exit beginning on December 26, 2025, marking a major expansion of the United States’ biometric screening system. The rule covers everyone who is not a U.S. citizen—including lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders), temporary visa holders, and undocumented immigrants—and will rely primarily on photographs taken through facial recognition at airports, land borders, and seaports. Refusing to provide required biometrics may lead to denial of entry or exit under the new policy.

Rule timeline and rollout

• The regulation was published in the Federal Register and opens a 30-day public comment period starting October 27, 2025.
• The rule’s effective date is December 26, 2025.
• Agencies plan a phased rollout over several years, with full nationwide deployment expected in 3–5 years.
• Implementation will be led by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

CBP and DHS will cross-check collected biometric data against existing passport and visa records in real time to verify identities, detect document fraud, and better track visa overstays. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the rule represents one of the broadest applications of automated identity checks at U.S. ports since post-9/11 reforms.

Purpose and core methods

Officials say the new process aims to:

• Improve border security
• Standardize identity checks
• Close gaps in departure records that have long made it harder to confirm when a traveler actually leaves the country

The system’s core method is facial recognition, allowing officers to match a live photo to government records within seconds. While photographs are the priority, DHS states other biometric types—including fingerprints, iris scans, and potentially DNA—may be added as the system expands.

Who is covered

The rule applies to all non-citizens regardless of status. This includes:

• Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders)
• Nonimmigrants such as students, tourists, and temporary workers
• Undocumented immigrants encountered at ports
• Children under 14 and adults over 79 (previously exempt)
• Departing non-citizens at airports, land borders, and seaports

DHS emphasizes U.S. citizens are not subject to these new entry or exit biometric requirements.

How processing will work at ports

CBP says biometric checks will occur as part of routine travel processing and are intended to be fast and contactless, especially at airports where facial capture kiosks and e-gates already operate on many international routes.

Typical procedures:

1. At departure: officers will capture a quick photo before a person leaves the country; airlines may deny boarding if required biometrics are refused.
2. At arrival: face capture will occur alongside the usual document check, often before an officer interview.
3. If a mismatch occurs: officers can take a second photo, request a fingerprint check, or perform an officer review; rare cases may lead to temporary delays.

DHS plans to phase-in equipment across high-volume locations first, then smaller ports, to meet the 3–5 year timeline.

Penalties and operational impact

• A person who declines to be photographed or otherwise refuses required biometrics may be denied boarding on outbound international flights or turned back at the border.
• DHS frames refusal penalties as necessary to maintain consistent identity checks and prevent overstays and identity fraud.
• Travel routines may change modestly: international airlines and CBP will integrate exit checks at the gate, which could lead to earlier boarding deadlines and slightly longer checkpoint times during initial deployment.

Data matching, safeguards, and potential follow-ups

The technology will connect with existing databases to flag mismatches in near real time. When a live photo and the record differ, officers may:

• Capture additional images
• Perform fingerprint checks
• Conduct an officer review

DHS says these safeguards help avoid wrongful matches and misidentification.

Privacy, accuracy, and civil rights concerns

Privacy concerns are central to public debate. Civil rights groups have raised issues about:

• Data retention and sharing
• Error rates in facial recognition systems
• Potential disparate impacts on children, older adults, and certain demographics

DHS response:

• The department says matching accuracy has improved as the technology matured.
• DHS asserts strict rules will govern data storage and use.
• A final data policy — including retention periods and redress options — is expected as implementation proceeds.
• Agency notes that document scans and name-based vetting already occur; biometrics tie checks more directly to a person’s face or fingerprints.

Important takeaway: Errors in facial recognition have been shown to affect some groups more than others. DHS says models and camera setups are tested to agency standards and officer oversight will remain part of the process.

Rationale behind the policy

The government’s stated rationale includes:

1. Reducing impostor document use — face matching helps confirm that the person in front of the officer is the rightful passport or visa holder.
2. Improving departure confirmation — accurate exit data is vital to enforce visa terms and identify overstays.
3. Lightening officer workload — automated verification lets officers focus on higher-risk cases instead of manual checks for every traveler.

Impact on specific groups

• Green Card holders: Expect a face photo during both departure and return, even for short trips. The rule does not change admissibility grounds or documentary requirements; it adds a biometric verification layer.
• Families and mixed-status travel: U.S. citizens are excluded, which DHS says avoids confusion for mixed-status families.
• Employers and schools: Sponsors of nonimmigrant travelers should prepare to answer questions and share practical guidance (see “What travelers should do” below).

Practical guidance for travelers and sponsors

What travelers should do:

• Plan for extra time at checkpoints if traveling after December 26, 2025.
• Carry valid travel documents and comply with officers’ instructions.
• Be ready to be photographed at exit and entry; refusal may carry immediate travel consequences.
• Expect staged rollout: not every location will have the equipment immediately, but the requirement is nationwide.

Guidance for employers and schools:

• No new forms are required under this rule.
• Sponsors should inform staff and students to expect a quick photo and to cooperate with officers if a mismatch occurs.

Resources and official updates

For official guidance and updates as ports deploy hardware and procedures, CBP directs travelers to its biometrics information page, which explains where and how facial capture is used and the applicable rules. Readers can visit CBP’s resource here: U.S. Customs and Border Protection – Biometrics.

DHS will post updates as additional ports come online and as the rule advances from comment to full effect.

Closing summary

The agency’s message is clear: biometric checks will become a standard part of international travel for non-citizens, including Green Card holders, and the stakes for refusal are high. With a firm start date of December 26, 2025 and a multi-year rollout plan, the United States is moving to make face-based identity checks routine at the border while leaving open the possibility to add other biometric data types as capacity grows.

How technology performance, privacy controls, and traveler experience are managed will determine how millions of people encounter this system every time they enter or leave the country.