Canadians Travelling to U.S. to Be Photographed on Entry and Exit Starting Boxing Day

Canadians travelling to the United States will now be photographed when entering and leaving the country under new U.S. border security rules that came into effect on Friday, December 26.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), all non-U.S. citizens — including Canadians and diplomats — will be subject to biometric screening. In some cases, U.S. customs officials may also collect travelers’ fingerprints.

DHS said it has been gathering biometric data from certain travelers entering the U.S. since 2004, but until now, there was no comprehensive system to record biometric information when people exited the country.

In a policy document published on October 27, DHS said the expanded measures are intended to strengthen national security and address concerns such as terrorism, the fraudulent use of travel documents, and individuals overstaying or entering the U.S. without authorization.

“These measures are necessary to ensure the integrity of the immigration system,” the department stated.

However, the move has raised concerns among privacy advocates, including fears that biometric data could be misused to monitor journalists or political opponents. DHS has rejected those claims, emphasizing that the program is not designed for mass surveillance.

“The biometric entry and exit system is not a surveillance program,” the department said, adding that collected photos will not be used for “blanket surveillance.”

Under the new rules, DHS will retain biometric data for up to 75 years. Officials say the program will be introduced gradually, with full implementation expected over the next three to five years.

The changes apply to all non-U.S. citizens crossing the border by air, land, or sea, marking a significant shift in how cross-border travel between Canada and the United States is monitored.