Dan Tanciar, a top official with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, told USA TODAY that biometrics for international travelers, which allow passengers to board a flight or clear passport control via a photo, is right around the corner.

"Our goal is to have this in place over the next four years," said Tanciar, who is a deputy executive director of the Customs and Border Protection agency. 

The plan is to begin with international flights then expand to domestic, he added.

"On inbound international travel, you'll be able to leave the passport in your pocket," he added.

Tanciar says biometrics at the airport works by matching the picture the government already has, your passport photo, with a new image generated at the airport.