USCIS Photo Update - Immigration America

Under the new guidance, if the USCIS has photographs that were taken less than three years ago on any applications, it will continue to use those photographs.

However, if the photographs were taken more than three years ago, or were taken by the applicants and submitted, then the USCIS will require that new photographs be taken.

This new photograph requirement means that any applicant whose photographs on file with the USCIS are more than three years old, will have to appear at a USCIS Application Support Center in order to be rephotographed.

These new applications include Form I-90, Application for Replacement of Green Card; Form N-400, Application for Naturalization; Form I-485, Application for Adjustment of Status. These are typically amongst the highest used applications submitted to USCIS, so many more applicants will be presenting themselves to USCIS Applicant Support Centers, which are available in most major cities across the USA. Typically, Application Support Centers are based in the same building or near to the USCIS field office.

If you receive a notice from the USCIS for an appointment at the Application Support Center, this probably means that the USCIS needs to recapture biometric information, which includes a photograph.

As always, in these difficult and unpredictable times, Ppease contact a qualified immigration attorney for the ramifications of any appearance before USCIS or any agency of the DHS.

Please stay tuned for any further details.

Farhad Sethna has practiced law for over 30 years. He was awarded his JD in 1990 and his MBA in 1991, both from the University of Akron. Since 1996, he has also been an adjunct professor of Immigration Law at the University of Akron, School of Law, in Akron, Ohio, where he wrote and continues to use his own immigration textbook. Attorney Sethna is a frequent speaker at Continuing Legal Education and professional development seminars on various immigration-related topics. His practice is limited to immigration and small business. He has won awards for excellence in teaching and for pro-bono service. With offices in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Attorney Sethna represents clients in all types of immigration cases before federal agencies and the immigration courts nationwide. A private pilot, it is Farhad’s goal to fly to each of Ohio’s 88 county airports. Our number is: (330) 384-8000. Please send your general immigration questions to farhad@sethnalaw.com. We will try to answer as many questions as possible.