Canada Joins Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, Colombia, Bahamas, Argentina, And More Countries In Navigating Tougher US Visa Rules In 2025, With Stricter Entry Requirements And Heightened Border Security

Published on December 28, 2025

Canada joins Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, Colombia, Bahamas, Argentina, and more countries in navigating tougher US visa rules in 2025, as the US implements stricter entry requirements and heightened border security. The introduction of mandatory biometric scans at all entry and exit points, including facial scans, fingerprints, and iris scans, aims to enhance security and improve tracking of non-US citizens. These new rules impact travelers from a broad range of countries, introducing delays, longer processing times, and more intensive scrutiny for visitors, green card holders, and visa applicants. As a result, travelers from these nations, including Canada, will face more rigorous checks when crossing US borders, altering the flow of international travel and making the visa process more challenging for many.

In 2025, a significant shift in US immigration policies has left several countries grappling with new and tougher visa rules. As the United States increases its scrutiny of non-citizen travelers, countries including Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, Colombia, Bahamas, Argentina, and many others now find themselves navigating heightened border security measures, mandatory biometric scans, and stricter entry requirements. This extensive overhaul of US immigration regulations, which went into effect on December 26, 2025, is reshaping the travel landscape, particularly for visitors from the Americas and Caribbean, adding complexity to travel plans, visa applications, and border experiences.

The US Immigration Overhaul: What’s Changing?

At the core of these new policies is a much-expanded biometric data collection system. Previously, biometric checks were limited to specific pilot programs at select US airports, but under the new rules, biometric scans will now be mandatory at every US entry and exit point. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will collect biometric data, including facial photos, fingerprints, and iris scans (in some cases), for all non-US travelers, including those holding Green Cards. This will apply not only at airports but also at seaports, land borders, private aircraft entry points, and even pedestrian crossings.

The change represents a dramatic expansion in the US Department of States‘s ability to track individuals’ entry and exit, now applying to all age groups, including children under 14 and adults over 79, who were previously exempt from biometric checks. These expanded measures will also apply to travelers from countries like Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Jamaica, among others. Visitors from these nations will now experience heightened scrutiny at US ports of entry, facing longer processing times and increased questioning as immigration authorities collect and cross-reference biometric data with travel records.

Impact on Travelers from Affected Countries

Countries across the Americas and the Caribbean are among the most affected by these changes. As part of a broader initiative to strengthen national security, the US is making an increased effort to gather biometric data from all visitors, including non-immigrant visa holders, green card holders, and even tourists.

For instance, Green Card holders from countries such as Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia now face greater scrutiny when traveling in and out of the US. Immigration officials may ask more in-depth questions about travel history, residence, and supporting documents, particularly if the individual is linked to any countries flagged for security concerns. While permanent residents retain their status, their international travel will be monitored more closely, and their applications for permanent status, including citizenship and asylum, could face delays and more thorough reviews.

The measures also come as part of a growing trend to more closely monitor the travel patterns of people from specific countries. The US has identified a list of nations whose citizens face heightened security and tighter immigration restrictions. This list includes several Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Mexico, Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela, which have already seen additional delays in visa processing and heightened border scrutiny.

Countries Affected by New US Visa Rules

A key aspect of the new US regulations is the expansion of biometric data collection, but alongside that, the US has also suspended or delayed processing visa and green card applications for nationals of certain countries, particularly those with past security concerns.

Starting December 2, 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) paused reviewing green card, citizenship, and asylum applications for nationals from 19 countries, including Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela. These countries are now experiencing a backlog in immigration processing, and the suspension is expected to continue until further notice. Nationals from these countries are facing additional scrutiny, with certain applications being delayed or subject to re-reviews, especially those that have been pending for several years.

On January 1, 2026, the US government will extend its travel bans, implementing full restrictions on nationals from countries such as Afghanistan, Libya, Iran, and Somalia. This will prevent them from obtaining visas or entering the US under the existing immigration policies.

Mandatory Biometric Scans for Non-US Travelers: A Country-by-Country Breakdown

Biometric Data Collection: A Closer Look

One of the most significant changes travelers will face in 2025 is the mandatory collection of biometric data at every point of entry and exit into the US. This includes:

• Facial Photographs: A facial scan will be taken every time a non-citizen enters or leaves the US. This will be used to verify the traveler’s identity and match it against their travel records.
• Fingerprints: Fingerprint scans will be conducted at most entry and exit points, adding an additional layer of identity verification.
• Iris Scans: In some cases, iris scans will be collected for further identification and security checks.

These scans will be linked to travel records and passports through the Traveler Verification Service, a system that connects biometric data to passports and visas. This new approach gives the US government more tools to ensure security and track travelers’ movements in real-time.

However, US citizens will not be required to participate in biometric scans. They can opt out of facial recognition scans and request a manual passport check instead. This opt-out option is available to US citizens but not to foreign nationals, including those holding Green Cards or visas.

Green Card Holders Face Increased Scrutiny

Permanent residents in the US, commonly known as Green Card holders, are facing another set of challenges with these new rules. While they can still live and work in the US, their travel will now be more closely monitored. This includes additional questions from immigration officials at border crossings and airports.

Green Card holders traveling to and from countries with security concerns or those flagged by the US government will undergo more detailed questioning and longer waiting times. Officers will be able to ask about their travel history, current residence, and supporting documents to assess whether there are any risks related to their travels.

Moreover, some Green Card holders from these countries may face additional interviews or even re-reviews of their cases, even if their original applications were filed years ago. Immigration authorities are expected to conduct thorough investigations into travel histories, particularly for nationals from countries under sanctions or with histories of political unrest.

What Travelers Should Expect

Travelers from affected countries should expect significant delays and longer processing times when entering or leaving the US. If you are planning a trip to the US, be prepared for biometric scans, even if you are just passing through a transit airport.

Green Card holders should ensure their documentation is up to date, including travel records, passports, and residency paperwork. This will help facilitate faster processing and avoid complications at the border. Travelers should also be ready for extra questioning, especially if their travel history involves countries under US scrutiny.

Those planning to apply for a visa, green card, or citizenship in the near future should expect delays. Application processing times are already longer due to the new rules, and additional security checks will further slow down the system. Stay informed by checking the latest updates from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for potential delays or changes to your application status.

The US is clearly taking steps to secure its borders, and these changes reflect broader trends in immigration policies worldwide. Countries like Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, and others now find themselves navigating a more complex and restrictive US visa system. This shift will have a far-reaching impact on international travel and immigration, with travelers from these countries facing additional challenges when it comes to visas, green card applications, and border processing.

For those planning travel to the US in the near future, understanding these new policies and preparing for longer wait times, additional biometric checks, and potentially extended travel delays will be crucial. While the intent behind these changes is to enhance security, they will inevitably affect the global flow of people and may shift travel habits as people adjust to the new reality of US immigration policies.

Canada joins Mexico, Brazil, Jamaica, Colombia, Bahamas, Argentina, and more countries in navigating tougher US visa rules in 2025, as the US introduces mandatory biometric scans and heightened border security to enhance national security and streamline traveler monitoring. These changes will impact travelers with stricter entry requirements and longer processing times.

Travelers should stay vigilant, keep their documents updated, and plan ahead to ensure smooth journeys as they navigate this new chapter in US immigration.