The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented new requirements for photographs submitted with immigration documents, effective immediately. Announced on December 12, the updated guidance takes effect nationwide.
Under the policy, photographs for official immigration forms must not be older than three years from the date of filing. This marks a departure from the previous flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic, where photos could be reused for up to ten years to accommodate processing disruptions.
Additionally, self-submitted photos—including those taken at home or by private providers—are no longer acceptable. Only photographs captured by USCIS or government-authorized entities will meet the new requirements.
The updated policy applies to several important forms: Form I-90 (Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card), Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status), Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization), and Form N-600 (Application for Certificate of Citizenship).
USCIS stated, “This ensures every photo used in a secure document is recent, accurate, and reliable—key requirements to preventing fraud and identity theft.” The agency emphasized that the policy change aligns with Department of Homeland Security priorities to modernize screening and vetting processes.
