Applying for US universities? Proposed DHS rule could need you to submit biometric details too

Students planning to apply to US universities may soon face new requirements under a proposed rule by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The rule would require all immigration applicants, including those seeking visas for study, to submit biometric data such as fingerprints, facial and ocular scans, and DNA. This proposal expands the current scope of biometrics collection and applies regardless of the applicant’s age or the type of immigration benefit requested. The proposed regulation, released on November 3, 2025 , is part of DHS’s broader effort to strengthen identity verification and prevent fraud in immigration processes. “Using biometrics for identity verification and management will assist DHS’s efforts to combat trafficking, confirm the results of biographical criminal