January 30, 2026: USCIS' New Photo Policy and Scheduling of Biometrics Appointments
Effective December 12, 2025, USCIS issued a policy alert that changed how photos will be collected for USCIS-adjudicated work authorization documents, including Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for Optional Practical Training (OPT). Here's what you need to know.
What Changed?
Government Photos Only: USCIS will now only use photos taken by USCIS during biometrics appointments. Self-submitted passport photos won't be used on your actual EAD card. If you have never attended a biometrics appointment or if USCIS did not take a photo during a prior biometrics appointment, USCIS may schedule a biometrics appointment for you prior to adjudicating your application.
3-Year Limit: If USCIS has taken a photo during a biometrics appointment in the past, it must be less than 3 years old when you file your application. Otherwise, USCIS may schedule a biometrics appointment to take a new photo.
Self-Submitted Photos: According to this policy update, USCIS won't use self-submitted photos on the final EAD card, you still need to submit passport photos with your application if the form instructions require it (Form I-765 for Economic Hardship, SSR, OPT, and STEM OPT currently does).
What This Means for You
- Submit your passport photos as required by the application instructions
- Check your mail regularly and/or your USCIS online account for a Request for Evidence (RFE) and/or a biometrics appointment notification (e.g. ASC Appointment Notice)
- Submit a copy of your RFE and/or appointment notification to OGS via the appropriate e-form
- Pre- and Post-OPT: OPT Issue Reporting e-Form
- STEM OPT: STEM OPT Issue Reporting e-Form
- If scheduled, attend the biometrics appointment where an official photo may be taken for your EAD
- If you received an RFE for biometrics, respond to the RFE by the deadline
- If you receive any additional documentation or requests from USCIS, including a Request for Evidence (RFE), Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID), or a Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR) after the biometrics appointment has occurred, please report this through the e-forms listed above.
Important Reminders
- Keep your address current with USCIS so you receive your biometrics notice
- Don't miss your appointment – this will delay or may negatively impact the adjudication of your application.
- Plan ahead – USCIS processing of your application may take longer due to the additional biometrics step
- Check your mail – biometrics notices may be sent by regular mail
OGS will share updates if additional information becomes available. If you have concerns about how this policy alert may affect your specific situation, please contact OGS for guidance.
Important Update: On January 1, 2026, USCIS confirmed that the additional scrutiny of Immigration Benefits for Individuals from the “High Risk Countries” will apply to the individuals from the countries that were subject to the expanded travel ban as of January 1, 2026. As such, the details below have been updated to include all impacted countries.
Updated January 6, 2026:
USCIS Policy Alert: Additional Scrutiny of Immigration Benefits for Individuals - from the “High Risk Countries” Listed in Presidential Proclamation “PP” 10949
On December 2, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum placing a processing hold on pending and approved immigration benefits for individuals from the countries named in the June 2025 Presidential Travel Ban (PP10949).
On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued another Policy Memorandum expanding the scope of their processing hold on pending and approved immigration benefits to all countries named in the December 2025 Presidential Travel Ban (PP10949).
Among other things, the memo directs USCIS to:
- Pause all pending immigration benefits for individuals who were born in or are a citizen of one of the travel ban countries.
- Re-review already approved immigration benefits for individuals from these countries who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.
The countries on the newly expanded travel ban list are:
Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. In addition, foreign nationals who seek to travel to the United States using Palestinian Authority-issued or -endorsed travel documents are subject to the travel ban and to any travel ban-related USCIS policies.
This hold is expected to affect all USCIS-adjudicated immigration benefits, including but not limited to reinstatement, OPT, STEM OPT, change of status (e.g. F-1, J-1, H-1B petitions with cap-gap), and adjustment of status.
What You Should Do
If you plan to apply for OPT, STEM OPT, a change of status, or another USCIS-adjudicated benefit, we strongly recommend that you:
- File USCIS applications on time to avoid losing eligibility
- Prepare applications carefully, following all USCIS instructions
- Answer every question honestly and consistently
- Monitor your case through your USCIS online account
Because implementation is still evolving, timelines and outcomes may vary significantly. Students and alumni should be prepared for additional vetting and adjudication delays of immigration benefits.
More Information
OGS will share updates as new information becomes available. If you have concerns about how this policy alert may affect your specific situation, please contact OGS for guidance. You may also wish to consult a personal immigration attorney.
August 19, 2025: USCIS Considers “Anti-American” Activity when Adjudicating Applications
When adjudicating certain immigration benefit requests, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers will now consider whether an applicant has:
“...endorsed, promoted, supported, or otherwise espoused anti-American views or the views of a terrorist organization or group (including in social media content by, or involving an alien). This includes organizations who support or promote anti-American ideologies or activities, antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, antisemitic ideologies, or has engaged in physical harassment of any person in furtherance of the organization or group...”
This may impact individuals submitting a variety of application to USCIS, including:
- Applications for F-1 reinstatement;
- Most applications for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), including F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), F-1 STEM OPT, H-4 EADs, and adjustment of status EADs;
- Applications for extensions or changes of status;
- Applications for a National Interest Waiver; and
- Applications for adjustment of status.
To review the updated Policy Guidance from USCIS, click here.
If you have questions about how this may impact your F-1/J-1 status, please contact the Office of Global Services.
April 11, 2025: USCIS Policy Changes of "Antisemitic Activity"
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a policy change that may impact international students, scholars, and other noncitizens applying for U.S. immigration benefits.
Effective immediately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will consider involvement in "antisemitic activity"—including social media content that supports or promotes antisemitic terrorism or organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or the Houthis—as a negative factor in immigration benefit requests.
This policy may affect F-1 students applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT), STEM OPT, Economic Hardship, Special Student Relief, etc., and other F/J individuals applying for immigration benefits via USCIS. We encourage members of the Northeastern international student and scholar community to review the full announcement here:
DHS Announcement – April 11, 2025
If you have questions about how this may impact your immigration status, please contact the Office of Global Services.