Planning to visit the United States in the near future? If so, get ready to have your picture taken – and stored for decades – upon both entry and exit under a new Customs and Border Protection rule.

The final rule was published on Monday, and expands the Department of Homeland Security's policy of collecting biometric data (primarily in the form of a photograph) to begin requiring photographs at points of exit as well as entry. While the department's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has been collecting biometric data from foreign visitors to the US since 2004, "there is no comprehensive system in place to collect biometrics from aliens departing the country," it said .

"This rule simply amends DHS regulations to provide that DHS may require all aliens to be photographed when e

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