CBP Biometric Exit: What International Travelers Should Know

Key Summary: 

• U.S. CBP has authority to collect biometric data from non-U.S. citizens upon entry and departure.
• The biometric exit system uses facial recognition at departure and inspection points to verify identities.
• Non-U.S. citizens, including tourists, and temporary visa holders may be required to participate.
• If CBP systems flag potential issues, travelers can be pulled aside for additional questioning.
• Travelers with complicated immigration or criminal histories should evaluate their status before leaving the U.S.

For many international travelers, leaving the United States has traditionally involved little interaction with U.S. immigration authorities. That is changing as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) expands its biometric exit system at airports and other departure locations.

For non-U.S. citizens, this means that leaving the United States may involve an immigration inspection, even when the biometric process itself takes only a few seconds.

What Is the CBP Biometric Exit Program?

The federal government has been developing a system to track when foreign nationals enter and leave the United States for many years.

Congress first required an entry-exit tracking system in 1996. After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the government expanded its efforts to use biometric information to verify travelers’ identities, improve national security, and enforce U.S. immigration laws.

Biometric screening upon entry has been in place for many years. Biometric screening upon departure, however, developed more gradually as CBP tested and expanded the technology.

A regulatory change that took effect on December 26, 2025, expanded the government’s authority to collect biometrics from foreign nationals when they enter or depart the United States. The rules allow biometric collection at airports, land border crossings, seaports, and other authorized locations.

How Does Biometric Exit Work?

CBP’s biometric exit system primarily uses facial recognition technology.

For many travelers, the process is quick and contactless. Generally, the system may:

1. Take a live photograph of the traveler at the departure gate or inspection point;
2. Compare the photograph with images already available to the government, such as passport or visa photographs;
3. Confirm the traveler’s identity; and
4. Record the person’s departure from the United States.

Although this may look like a normal part of the boarding process, international travelers should understand that biometric screening can also serve as an opportunity for CBP to review immigration and law enforcement information.

Who May Be Required to Participate?

Under current regulations, non-U.S. citizens may be required to provide facial biometrics when departing the United States.

This may include:

• Visitors and tourists;
• Temporary visa holders;
• Foreign workers and students;
• Lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders); and
• Other non-U.S. citizens traveling internationally.

U.S. citizens are generally not required to participate in biometric exit facial comparison and may choose whether to use the technology where it is available.

Can CBP Question You When You Are Leaving the United States?

Potentially, yes. Most travelers may complete biometric exit screening without any significant delay or additional questioning. However, if CBP’s systems identify a potential immigration, identity, or law enforcement issue, the traveler may be referred for additional review.

Depending on the circumstances, CBP officers may review issues involving:

• Previous immigration violations;
• Outstanding warrants or unresolved law enforcement matters;
• Immigration records and travel history;
• Outstanding removal orders;
• Information in government databases; or
• Other issues that could affect the person’s ability to return to the United States.

In some situations, information discovered during the departure process could potentially affect a person’s visa or future admission to the United States.

Why Does This Matter for Future Travel?

Leaving the United States does not necessarily mean that immigration concerns are left behind.

For example, a traveler with a previous arrest, immigration violation, removal proceeding, visa issue, or other concern may face questions when departing. Information identified during that process could also become relevant the next time the person applies for a visa or attempts to enter the United States.

This makes it especially important for travelers with complicated immigration or criminal histories to understand their situation before traveling internationally.

What Documents Should Travelers Consider Carrying?

If you know that an issue in your history could raise questions, having appropriate documentation available may help.

Depending on your circumstances, this could include:

• Certified court records showing how a criminal case was resolved;
• Documents relating to previous immigration proceedings;
• Records showing compliance with immigration requirements;
• Copies of relevant immigration approvals or notices; or
• Other documents that help explain an issue that may appear in government records.

The appropriate documents will depend on your individual history. Carrying documents does not guarantee that CBP will resolve an issue in your favor.

What Should Green Card Holders Know?

Lawful permanent residents may also encounter biometric exit screening.

A Green Card does not necessarily prevent CBP from reviewing a person’s immigration or travel history. Permanent residents with lengthy trips outside the United States, prior criminal matters, removal proceedings, or other immigration concerns may want to speak with an immigration attorney before international travel.

Planning an International Trip?

For most travelers, biometric exits may simply involve having a photograph taken before departure. For others, however, departure can result in additional CBP scrutiny.

If you have a prior immigration violation, criminal history, removal order, visa concern, or other issue that could appear in government records, consider speaking with an experienced immigration attorney before leaving the United States. An attorney can review your immigration history, identify potential problems, and help you understand how international travel could affect your ability to return to the United States.

If you have concerns about traveling internationally, contact our immigration attorneys at John W. Lawit, LLC before your departure so that you can understand the potential risks and prepare accordingly.

Call us today at (214) 609-2242.

This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration laws, regulations, and government policies can change, and every case is different.