The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued new guidance limiting the age of photographs that can be used for immigration documents to a maximum of three years. The policy is aimed at enhancing national security and preventing identity fraud.

Under the updated rule, only photos taken within three years of filing a USCIS form will be accepted. Self-submitted photos are no longer allowed; only photographs taken by USCIS or other authorised entities will be used.

“This ensures every photo used in a secure document is recent, accurate, and reliable—key requirements to preventing fraud and identity theft,” USCIS said in its policy guidance.

The change comes after COVID-19-era flexibilities allowed applicants to reuse photos up to ten years old, even when appearances had

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