USCIS Will Stop Accepting Self-Submitted Photos

in Immigration Actions Trump 2.0
December 16th, 2025

USCIS announced on December 12, 2025 that it has updated is policy on photographs and will no longer accept self-submitted photos and will limit when USCIS-taken photos may be reused in benefit requests.

This means that applicants for USCIS benefits that require a photo will likely be scheduled to attend an “in-person” Biometric Services Appointment (BSA) at a local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) which will add a new step to the process. We are still evaluating how this will impact our community but we expect this will likely apply to students and scholars/employees who apply to USCIS for employment authorization (including but not limited to: pre and post completion OPT, economic hardship and STEM OPT). The instructions for the I-765 USCIS Application for Employment Authorization already clarify that all applicants may be required to appear for an interview to provide biometrics (fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at any time to verify your identity, obtain additional information, and conduct background and security checks, including a check of criminal history records maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), before making a decision on your application or petition.

We will continue to advise the community as we receive updated information as to how this impacts current versus future applicants for benefits like employment authorization. In the meantime, all applicants should continue to upload a photo until further notice. We will continue to remind OPT and STEM OPT applicants of the importance of maintaining a current US address to track your mail and the status of your pending application for employment authorization as you may be required to attend Biometric Services Appointment (BSA) at a local USCIS Application Support Center (ASC) as part of the application process.

Please contact your ISSO advisor if you have any questions.