{"id":24468,"date":"2025-12-10T14:19:58","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T14:19:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/international.northeastern.edu\/ogs\/?p=24468"},"modified":"2026-04-07T17:16:52","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T17:16:52","slug":"uscis-policy-changes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/international.northeastern.edu\/ogs\/uscis-policy-changes\/","title":{"rendered":"USCIS Policy Updates – Updated January 30, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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January 30, 2026: USCIS’ New Photo Policy and Scheduling of Biometrics Appointments<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\nEffective December 12, 2025, USCIS\u00a0issued a\u00a0<\/span>policy alert<\/span><\/a>\u00a0that\u00a0changed how photos\u00a0will be collected for\u00a0USCIS-adjudicated\u00a0work authorization documents, including Employment\u00a0Authorization\u00a0Documents (EADs)\u00a0for Optional Practical Training (OPT).\u00a0Here’s\u00a0what you need to know.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat Changed?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nGovernment Photos Only:<\/span><\/b> 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\n3-Year Limit:<\/span><\/b>\u00a0If\u00a0USCIS\u00a0has\u00a0taken a photo during a\u00a0biometrics appointment\u00a0in the past,\u00a0it must be less\u00a0than 3 years old when you file your application. Otherwise, USCIS may schedule a\u00a0biometrics\u00a0appointment\u00a0to take a new photo.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nSelf-Submitted Photos:\u00a0<\/span><\/b>According to this policy update,\u00a0USCIS\u00a0won’t\u00a0use\u00a0self-submitted photos\u00a0on the\u00a0final EAD\u00a0card,\u00a0<\/span>you\u00a0still\u00a0need to\u00a0submit\u00a0passport\u00a0photos with your application if the form instructions require it<\/span><\/b>\u00a0(Form I-765\u00a0<\/span>for\u00a0Economic Hardship, SSR,\u00a0OPT,\u00a0and\u00a0STEM OPT\u00a0currently does).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nWhat This Means for You<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n
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  1. Submit your passport photos as required by the application\u00a0instructions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
  2. 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)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
  3. Submit a copy of your RFE and\/or appointment notification to OGS via the <\/span>USCIS Case Evidence Request<\/a> e-form<\/li>\r\n \t
  4. If scheduled, attend the biometrics appointment where an official photo may be taken for your EAD<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
  5. If you received an RFE for biometrics, respond to the <\/span>RFE<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>by the\u00a0<\/span>deadline<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t
  6. If you receive\u00a0any\u00a0additional\u00a0documentation or requests from USCIS, including a\u00a0Request for Evidence (RFE),\u00a0Notice of Intent to Deny\u00a0(NOID),\u00a0or\u00a0a Notice of Intent to Revoke (NOIR)\u00a0after the biometrics appointment has\u00a0occurred, please report\u00a0this\u00a0through the e-forms listed above.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nImportant Reminders<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\r\n