Canadians crossing U.S. land borders will now be photographed

A new regulation is in effect that requires individuals leaving or entering the United States, including Canadians, to be photographed at land borders. 

The regulation went into effect on Dec. 26, 2025 and applies to all non-U.S. travellers. It will also remove prior exemptions, including diplomats and most Canadian visitors entering the U.S. Previously, Canadians only needed to provide biographic information when returning home from the U.S. by vehicle.

The new measures are part of a broader effort by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enhance security and streamline identity verification processes for foreign travellers at the Mexico and Canada borders.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), “This milestone regulation advances DHS’s efforts to implement a comprehensive biometric entry/exit program, enhancing national security and streamlining identity verification processes for foreign visitors travelling to and from the United States.”

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The regulation will allow CBP to collect facial biometrics during entry and exit at all airports, land ports, seaports, and other authorized points of departure.

For frequent travellers to the U.S., biometrics isn’t new.

As early as 2002, CBP was mandated to use biometric technology to issue visas and screen foreign nationals entering the country. In 2004, the U.S. started collecting biometric data from non-U.S. citizens exiting the country at airports.

These security measures are in place at airports with international arrivals and upon exit from 58 airports. CBP also uses facial biometrics for travellers entering the U.S. via cruises and pedestrian lanes.

The regulation does not apply to U.S. citizens; they can voluntarily participate, or opt out and undergo manual inspection of their passports.

With files from Irish Mae Silvestre