Under a new rule effective December 26, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be authorized to take photographs and collect facial biometrics of all noncitizens upon entry and exit to/from the United States at airports, land ports, seaports, and other authorized points of departure.  The new rule removes prior exemptions including diplomats, children, and most Canadian visitors. It also removes limitations on pilot programs and expands biometric collection to new transportation modalities, including sea exit, private aircraft, vehicle entry/exit, and pedestrian exit.

Although U.S. citizens are not covered by this rule, they may voluntarily participate in the facial biometrics process at entry and exit. U.S. citizens who prefer to opt out of the facial biometrics process may simply notify a CBP officer or airline representative and undergo manual inspection of their passport, as required for international travel.

If you have questions or require specific legal advice, please contact your Van Der Hout representative.