Heads up, Indian travellers! If you're planning a trip to the United States, there's a crucial new security procedure you need to be aware of before booking your flights. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has implemented facial recognition technology for all international departures, meaning your photo will be taken as you leave the country.
What Exactly Happens at US Airports?
When departing from any US international airport, travellers will encounter new facial recognition cameras at boarding gates. Here's what you can expect:
- Quick photo capture: As you approach the boarding gate, a camera will snap your picture
- Instant verification: The system compares your live photo with your passport and visa documents
- Automated process: The entire verification takes just seconds without slowing down boarding
- Mandatory for all: This applies to all international travellers, regardless of nationality
Why Has the US Implemented This System?
The CBP states this biometric exit system serves multiple important purposes:
- Enhanced security: Verifies that visitors are leaving the country within their permitted stay periods
- Overstay prevention: Helps identify individuals who remain in the US beyond their visa validity
- Efficiency improvement: Streamlines the departure process while maintaining security standards
- Legal compliance: Fulfills congressional mandates for tracking visitor departures
What Indian Travellers Should Know
For Indian citizens travelling to the United States, this new procedure brings both convenience and considerations:
The good news: The process is designed to be fast and non-intrusive. Most travellers won't experience any significant delay during boarding. The automated system means less manual document checking and potentially faster processing.
Important to remember: This is now a standard part of US departure procedures. You cannot opt out if you're an international traveller. The system compares your live image against existing government records, including your visa and passport photos.
Privacy Concerns and Your Rights
While the CBP assures that privacy protections are in place, travellers should understand:
- Photos of US citizens are deleted within 12 hours
- Non-citizen photos are stored in secure government databases
- The system is designed to verify identity, not for general surveillance
- Travellers can request information about how their data is handled
Bottom line for Indian travellers: This new facial recognition system is now part of the standard departure process from the United States. While it represents increased security monitoring, it's designed to minimize travel disruption. Being prepared for this procedure will help ensure a smooth departure experience after your US visit.
Before your next trip to America, factor this new reality into your travel planning. The days of simply showing your boarding pass and passport at the gate are evolving into a more technologically advanced – albeit slightly more intrusive – departure experience.
