The US Department of Homeland Security has passed a sweeping new regulation requiring nearly all non-citizens to submit facial recognition scans when traveling in and out of the US.
The new rule is implemented from 26 December 2025.
Entitled “Collection of Biometric Data from Aliens Upon Entry into and Exit from the United States,” the law states: “DHS may require certain aliens to provide biometrics upon entry into and exit from the United States, they only authorize DHS to collect biometrics from certain aliens upon departure under pilot programs at land ports and at up to 15 airports and seaports.”
“DHS is amending the regulations to remove the references to pilot programs and the port restriction. Additionally, to enable CBP to make the process of verifying the identity of aliens more efficient, accurate and secure by using facial recognition technology, DHS is amending the regulations to ensure that all aliens can be required to be photographed upon entry and/or departure,” it added.
The list of affected countries is:
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
While US citizens are exempt, they can participate voluntarily. Those who choose not to participate will go through traditional manual passport inspection.
