If you are applying for a U.S. Visa, Green Card, or another immigration benefit, there is a small but important change you should know about. USCIS has updated its rules on applicant photographs, and the window is now much shorter.

Here’s the thing. Old photos are officially out.

Old Photos No Longer Accepted

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will no longer reuse photographs that are more than three years old. Earlier, the agency allowed photo reuse for up to 10 years. That rule is now gone.

The reason is simple. USCIS says people’s appearance can change a lot over time, and using very old photos makes it harder to confirm identity and prevent fraud.

Self-Submitted Photos Are Also Out

Another key change is about who takes the photo.

USCIS will no longer accept photos uploaded or submitted by applicants themselves. From now on, only photos taken by USCIS or other authorised centres will be accepted.

This move is aimed at reducing identity theft and misuse of older or edited images.

Why USCIS Changed the Rule Now

During the Covid pandemic, USCIS relaxed many rules. Applicants were allowed to reuse old photos already on file. In some cases, people even used photographs that were over 20 years old.

After the pandemic, USCIS first limited photo reuse to 10 years. Now, that limit has been cut to just three years as part of a broader immigration system overhaul.

USCIS says the earlier rules affected its ability to properly verify and screen applicants.

What the New Photo Rule Says

Under the new policy, USCIS will reuse an existing photo only if it was taken within the last 36 months at a biometric services appointment.

This applies to most immigration benefit requests that do not require fresh biometrics.

Forms That Still Require New Biometrics

Some applications already require new biometrics and photographs, and this remains unchanged. These include:

• Application for Naturalization (Form N-400)
• Application for Certificate of Citizenship (Form N-600)
• Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card (Form I-90)
• Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Form I-485)

For these forms, USCIS will always collect a new photo.

USCIS Can Still Ask for a New Photo

Even if your old photo is less than three years old, USCIS may still request a new one. The agency has made it clear that it has full discretion to request a new photograph whenever it feels it is necessary.

Other Major Changes Announced Recently

The photo rule is just one part of a wider shift in US immigration policy. In recent months, several other measures have been announced, including:

• A pause on immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries.
• Suspension of green cards, work permits, citizenship, and other immigration requests. from 19 countries of concern, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Somalia.
• Temporary suspension of all asylum applications for review.
• Re-vetting of asylum approvals granted during the Biden administration.
• Mandatory biometric capture at US entry and exit for all non-citizens.
• Reduction in work permit validity from five years to 18 months.
• Social media vetting for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants.

What This Means for Travellers and Applicants

For applicants, the takeaway is clear. Do not assume USCIS will reuse an old photo anymore. Be prepared for new biometrics, even if your application did not require them earlier.

For travellers and immigrants, this signals tighter identity checks and closer scrutiny across the system. Small details now matter more than ever.