On December 12, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy update announcing that it would no longer accept self-submitted photos required for applications and petitions. This update goes into effect immediately. 

Photos must be collected through a Biometric Services Appointment (BSA) at an USCIS Application Support Center or through another “approved submission process” specified by USCIS. In addition, photos collected through a BSA may be reused on a new USCIS application or petition, as long as they are no more than three (3) years old at the time of filing. Other petitions, such as Form N-400 Application for Naturalization (among others) may require a new photo. Self-submitted photos taken by the individual applicant will no longer be accepted.

At this time, it is not clear how this policy update will impact existing immigration applications, including Form I-765 applications for employment authorization (including OPT, STEM Extension OPT and J-2 employment) which previously permitted applicants to provide self-submitted photos. Any student or scholar with a pending application (such as for employment authorization) that requires a photo may receive a Request for Evidence (RFE) directing them to an Application Support Center to have a USCIS-approved photo taken. 

This is a developing policy, and ISSS will post updates as they become available. Please contact ISSS at isss@brown.edu if you have any questions regarding this policy announcement.