US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued new policy guidance “to address a change in the agency’s policy on the reuse of photographs.”
It tightens the rules for photos used for immigration documents – setting new limits on how old a photo can be and ending the acceptance of self-submitted photos.
What does the new policy say about “Reusing Photos for IDs”?
The US Department of Homeland Security issued a press release on Friday (Dec. 12) stating that USCIS is now changing its photo reuse policy.
He stated that USCIS can reuse a previously collected photograph only if at the time of submission no more than 36 months (3 years) have passed since the date the photograph was collected at the Biometric Services Appointment (BSA).
The revised policy also clarified that re-use of photos is no longer automatic. The agency reserves the right to request a new photo at any time, even if the current photo falls within the three-year window.
“Removes the requirement to calculate the age of the photo and the safe time frame of validity of the document.”
It further stipulates that USCIS will not use or reuse a self-portrait.
What are the exceptions?
The policy applies to all applications for immigration benefits, except applications for naturalization (Form N-400), applications for certification of citizenship (Form N-600), applications for replacement of permanent resident status (Form I-90), and applications for registration of permanent residence or adjustment of status (Form I-485).
These forms require the collection of new biometric data, including a new photograph.
What were the old rules?
USCIS previously limited the reuse of photographs to a maximum of 10 years on any secured document issued by the agency. This happened after the end of the COVID-19 flexibility, in September 2024.
USCIS then considered the age of the photo at the time of first reuse and ensured that it did not exceed 10 years during the period of validity of the secure document for applicants age 26 and older.
Under the previous rules, for applicants aged 25 and under, the age of the photograph could not exceed 30 months for the duration of the validity of the secured document.
