New Exit Verification for Travelers to the U.S.: CBP Considers Mandatory Selfies

Traveling legally to the United States may soon come with a new requirement: snapping a selfie when departing the country.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has formally suggested that foreign visitors submit a facial photograph as proof of leaving U.S. territory, complying with the terms of their stay.

This proposal was disclosed in the Federal Register as part of a broader set of changes to the immigration control system, consistent with policies from Donald Trump's administration aimed at tightening oversight of international travelers, especially those entering without a traditional visa.

The Selfie Exit Requirement

Under the new proposal, travelers might be required to take a selfie upon exiting the United States to verify their departure in line with the I-94 form requirements, a document that electronically records entries and exits of foreign nationals.

CBP intends to introduce a pilot program called the Voluntary Self-Reporting of Exit (VSRE), which aims to fully automate the I-94 process, placing the onus on the traveler to confirm their departure.

This feature would be accessible via the CBP Home mobile app, or its successor, allowing travelers to submit three crucial elements: passport biographical data, a real-time facial image, and their current geographic location.

While the use of this tool would be voluntary, submitting a facial image would be mandatory to complete the process. Simply put, no selfie means no confirmation of exit.

Biometric Confirmation and Exit Record Keeping

To ensure the authenticity of the photograph, CBP would employ geolocation technology to verify the traveler is outside the United States, along with live detection systems to confirm the image was taken at that moment and not uploaded from the phone's gallery.

The exit evidence would be stored in the Arrival and Departure Information System (ADIS) and could be used by immigration officers if questions arise about a previous stay or potential overstay.

Currently, visitors no longer fill out paper I-94 or I-94W forms, as these records are generated electronically. However, CBP now seeks to place the confirmation of departure directly in the hands of travelers through this digital, biometric-based mechanism.

Changes for ESTA Applicants

The modifications extend beyond just the moment of exit. CBP also proposes updates to the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) application process, used by citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries.

Key changes include requiring a selfie when applying for the permit, in addition to a photograph of the passport's biographical page. This requirement would apply to both self-applicants and third parties, such as travel agencies or intermediaries.

According to Customs, these images would help verify that the person requesting authorization is indeed the passport holder, a measure that, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aims to reduce fraud and strengthen identity verification.

Shifting to a Mobile App for ESTA Applications

As part of the same reform package, CBP plans to eliminate the option of applying for ESTA via its website, centralizing the entire process into an exclusive mobile application.

The agency justifies this decision by citing issues with the current system, including low-quality images and the use of fraudulent websites charging unnecessary fees to travelers.

The new mobile platform, as stated by CBP, would streamline procedures and enhance the security of applications. This change implies that the authorization process would depend on devices compatible with advanced biometric verification features, potentially limiting access for some users.

A Broader Context of Stricter Controls

These proposals are part of a wider shift in U.S. immigration policy. This week, the Trump administration unveiled another initiative that significantly tightens controls on foreign tourists, including those entering under the VWP.

This plan, released on December 10 in the Federal Register, mandates providing information about social media used in the past five years, applicable to both visa applicants and travelers using ESTA.

The measure is a response to Executive Order 14161, signed in January 2025, titled "Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorist Entry and Other Threats to National Security and Public Safety."

According to the official document, CBP will incorporate social media as a mandatory element of the ESTA form, affecting millions of potential visitors.

In addition to profiles on platforms such as Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn, the new form would require unprecedented data collection, including phone numbers, historical emails, IP addresses, photo metadata, and biometric data like facial images, fingerprints, iris scans, and even DNA in certain cases.

Automated Evaluation and Criticism

The collected information would be analyzed through automated systems and artificial intelligence to detect suspicious patterns, connections to extremist groups, or potential criminal activities, according to DHS sources.

However, organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) have warned that these policies could lead to excessive surveillance, subjective decisions, and preventive self-censorship among foreign travelers, fearing that critical, satirical, or misinterpreted posts might influence travel permit approvals.

What's Next?

For now, none of these proposals have been approved. They are all in a 60-day public comment period, with a deadline until February 9, 2026, in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

Opinions can be sent to the email CBP_PRA@cbp.dhs.gov.

If implemented, these measures could take effect in 2026, radically transforming how millions of people enter and exit the United States, cementing an increasingly digital border where biometric identity and online footprint accompany travelers far beyond the airport.