Leaving the U.S. after a visit? A selfie of your face can now track your departure
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced a pilot program that will allow certain non-citizens to self-report their departure from the country using facial recognition and geolocation technology.
The Voluntary Self-Reported Exit Pilot, announced Wednesday in the Federal Register, is part of the U.S. government’s broader efforts to modernize entry and exit records for non-citizen travelers and visitors by automating Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, authorities said.
How facial recognition will be used for Immigration control
The new system will allow certain foreign visitors who entered the U.S. under Form I-94 to report their departure through a mobile app.
To do so, travelers must:
▪ Download the CBP Home app on their mobile device
▪ Take a selfie after leaving the U.S.
▪ Enable geolocation on their device to confirm their location
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will compare the traveler’s facial image against existing records and verify their location data to confirm their departure, according to details published in the Federal Register.
Who can participate in the CBP pilot program?
The pilot program is intended for certain foreign nationals subject to Form I-94 requirements, including travelers with temporary visas and tourists from specific countries.
CBP emphasized that participation is voluntary and will not affect travelers who choose not to use the app.
When will the new traveler tracking system go into effect?
The pilot program began on March 19, 2025, and will run for two years.
During this time, Customs and Border Protection will assess the results to determine whether the system is suitable for large-scale implementation.
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Objectives and concerns on departure tracking
CBP states that this program aims to:
▪ Improve the accuracy of departure records
▪ Prevent errors in length-of-stay tracking
▪ Reduce visa and travel document fraud
However, the use of facial recognition and geolocation technology has sparked privacy concerns regarding how the government manages biometric data.
How to submit comments to on the pilot program
Those interested in sharing feedback on the pilot program can send comments to CBP via email at cbpone@cbp.dhs.gov, using the subject line: “Comment on VSRE Pilot.”
This new system marks another step toward expanding biometric controls at U.S. borders, potentially changing how travelers must report their departure in the future.
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This story was originally published March 20, 2025 at 3:31 PM with the headline "Leaving the U.S. after a visit? A selfie of your face can now track your departure."
