USCIS Introduces New Photo Rules for Green Card and Citizenship Applicants

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced new rules requiring all immigration photographs to be taken within three years of application, affecting millions of Green Card holders. 

The policy, effective from 12 December 2025, mandates that photos must be taken during USCIS biometric appointments, replacing the previous practice of submitting self-taken images. The updated guidelines apply to key immigration forms, including the Adjustment of Status (Form I-485), the Replacement of Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90), Naturalisation (Form N-400), and the Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600). 

Even those who have recently submitted photographs will need to undergo the process again. Exceptions allowing the reuse of photographs are limited to cases where the image was taken within 36 months of the application.

USCIS argues that the new policy is necessary to strengthen security and reduce fraud, ensuring that all photographs used in immigration documents are accurate and up-to-date.