U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is taking your photograph in order to verify that each person presenting a travel document for entry into the U.S. is the true bearer of that document.

As of 2026, customs and border agencies worldwide, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the EU’s Entry/Exit System, use facial biometrics to enhance security and streamline travel. The primary reason is identity verification; by taking a high-resolution digital photo, the system can compare your face against a "gallery" of images from your passport or previous visa applications with an accuracy rate exceeding 98%. This process is far more reliable than a human officer manually checking a physical document, as it effectively eliminates the use of fraudulent or stolen passports. Additionally, biometrics allow for a "seamless" travel experience, often enabling passengers to clear immigration without having to repeatedly present physical boarding passes. For national security, it helps authorities accurately track entry and exit dates, which is vital for monitoring visa overstays. While U.S. citizens can typically opt out of the automated facial recognition process in favor of a manual check, most international travelers find that the "3-second scan" significantly reduces wait times at busy international hubs.