TORONTO — Canadian travellers heading to the United States will soon face an additional layer of screening, as American border officials prepare to expand the use of facial biometrics at all points of entry and exit.

The move will make it mandatory for Canadians to be photographed when entering and leaving the country by air, land and sea.

As first reported by CBC News, the new rule – announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – requires all non-U.S. citizens, including Canadians, to take part in the program. The regulation takes effect Dec. 26, 2025.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has been using facial biometrics for nearly 10 years as a way to confirm the identities of international passengers entering the United States by air. This involves photographing travellers and using biometric facial comparison technology to ensure their face matches the photo on their travel documents.

With the program’s expansion, the agency will take photos of travellers when they enter and exit the U.S. at all international U.S. airports. “Facial biometrics is about ensuring accurate records, enhancing security and enforcing immigration laws,” CBP spokesperson Jessica Turner told CBC News.

The agency also plans to take photos of travellers entering and exiting the U.S. at all sea ports and in vehicle lanes at land borders. The technology will be fully in place at land borders in 2026, while full implementation of the program at sea ports and airports is expected within the next three to five years.

Photos taken of foreign travellers will be stored in a DHS database for up to 75 years, while images of U.S. citizens are deleted within 12 hours. U.S. citizens can opt out of facial biometrics by requesting a manual inspection, while Canadians can opt out until Dec. 26 when the new DHS rule takes effect.