US Airports Expand Face Scans
Facial recognition is now available at 238 US airports, changing how international travellers clear passport checks
What Changed
Who It Affects
Face scans are now available at 238 US airports, but opt-out rights depend on whether you are a US citizen or foreign traveller.
Facial recognition is becoming a routine part of international travel through the United States, with The Independent Travel reporting on 2026-08-31 that the technology is now available at 238 US airports. For many passengers, this means the familiar passport inspection process may now include a live face scan matched against travel documents or official records. The change matters most for international travellers because opt-out rights are not the same for everyone. US citizens can generally ask for manual processing, while most foreign nationals should expect biometric checks to be part of entering or leaving the country.
What Has Changed at US Airports
The key development is the scale of biometric processing across the US airport network. Facial recognition is now available at 238 airports, meaning international passengers are increasingly likely to meet the technology at arrival, departure, boarding or identity verification points. The system typically takes a live image and compares it with an existing image linked to a passport, visa, immigration record or other official travel document. If the match is successful, the traveller may move through the process more quickly; if not, they can be sent for a manual document check.
Who Can Opt Out
The most important distinction is citizenship status. US citizens can generally decline facial comparison when travelling internationally and request alternative manual processing by a border officer or relevant airport official. That does not mean they can skip identity checks; it means their passport and travel eligibility are reviewed without using automated facial comparison. Travellers who want to opt out should say so clearly before standing in front of the camera, because some systems capture images quickly as part of the normal queue process.
Foreign nationals have more limited ability to refuse biometric processing at the US border. Visitors entering under ESTA, visa holders, many temporary residents and other non-US travellers are generally required to provide biometrics as part of US entry and exit rules. This can include fingerprints, photographs or facial comparison depending on the process and location. If you are not a US citizen and have privacy concerns, the safest approach is to read CBP’s current biometric policy before travel rather than assuming you will be offered the same opt-out option as a US passport holder.
Practical Tips
- Tip 1: If you are a US citizen and do not want a face scan, tell the officer or airline agent before the photo is taken and ask for manual document inspection.
- Tip 2: If you are a foreign national, assume biometric checks are part of US entry and exit processing, even if you previously travelled through a US airport without a face scan.
- Tip 3: Keep your passport, visa, ESTA approval or green card easily accessible, because a failed match or opt-out request may lead to manual checks and extra questions.
- Tip 4: Build in extra airport time if you plan to opt out, are travelling with children, or have recently changed your appearance, passport or legal name.
Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Mistake 1: Assuming everyone can opt out in the same way; US citizens usually have more flexibility than foreign nationals at border processing.
- ✕Mistake 2: Waiting until the last second to object to a scan, because the camera may capture your image before you have clearly requested manual processing.
- ✕Mistake 3: Travelling with mismatched documents, such as an old passport number on an ESTA or ticket, which can make biometric matching and manual checks slower.
- ✕Mistake 4: Treating facial recognition as a substitute for valid entry documents; you still need the correct passport, visa, ESTA or residency proof.
Quick Checklist
- Check whether your US airport uses biometric entry, exit or screening systems
- Confirm your passport, ESTA, visa or green card details are current
- Decide before you reach the desk whether you want to request manual processing
- Allow extra time for opt-out requests, failed matches or family checks
- Save CBP, TSA and DHS redress links in case you need official follow-up
