Say Cheese! US to Require Departing Canadians be Photographed

Canadians travelling to the U.S. are used to having their picture taken by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a pre-clearance site or when arriving at an American airport, sea port or pedestrian land crossing. The technology is used to digitally compare your face with the ID you are presenting. 

As of Dec. 26, 2025, all “alien” visitors — that is non-U.S. travellers, including Canadians — will be subject to being photographed when they depart the U.S. as well, reports the CBC. 

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The program has already begun at several locations, and will be expanded to every exit point: ports, land crossings and airports over the next few years. Participation is mandatory.

According to the rule, announced Oct. 24, 2025, the information collected will be kept on file with the Department of Homeland Security for up to 75 years. 

The U.S. government states keeping track of those leaving the country will help secure its borders from people using someone else’s travel credentials and keep people who were in the country without the required documentation from returning. “Ultimately, this provides DHS with more reliable information to verify identities and to strengthen its ability to identify criminals and known or suspected terrorists,” reads the published rule.

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