Get Your USCIS Photo Done [And Meet All the Requirements]

Find a full list of USCIS photo requirements and learn how to take your photo from home in only 3 mins with our photo app.

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USCIS Application Photo—Specifications

Size

2x2 inches

Digital dimensions

600x600-1200x1200 px

Head size

Between 1 and 1 3/8 in

Resolution

>300 DPI

Background color

White or off-white

Recency

Last 6 months

Examples of Acceptable USCIS Photos

Background

Pay attention to the backdrop of your image—it must be plain white or off-white, with no shadows.

Expression

Face the camera directly and keep a neutral face expression with your eyes open and mouth closed.

Head coverings

You’re allowed to wear headgear only for medical or religious reasons. Ensure your face is fully visible.

Last update: 11/22/2023

USCIS Photos—All You Need to Know

Planning to apply for a citizenship card or any immigration visa? Remember that, along with your application, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires a passport-style photo that meets strict criteria—available on the Department of State's website.

To make things easier for you, we've prepared a comprehensive guide to USCIS photo requirements, covering everything from sizing to finer details (e.g., clothing and allowed accessories).

We'll also show you how to capture fully compliant USCIS photos from the comfort of your home, ensuring a seamless application process.

Understanding USCIS photo requirements

All USCIS photos (including those for Green Cards and Diversity Visas) must adhere to the same standards. Note, however, that although they may look similar to passport photos—the requirements differ.

To avoid rejection and delays, familiarize yourself with all these official rules for physical and digital photos to guarantee a smooth USCIS application process. Read on!

Pro tip: The number of photos you need for a USCIS application varies based on your immigration visa or citizenship form. Certain forms, like DS-160, DS-1648, and the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, also require digital photos.

USCIS Photo Requirements List

Requirement	Prints & Digital
Color	In color. Black and white photographs will be rejected
Recency	Taken in the last 6 months. However, take a new photo if the one you have no longer reflects your current appearance (e.g., significant facial surgery, weight change, gender transition, etc.)
Image Clarity	Sharp, well-lit photo with clear contrast, free from pixels, printer dots, shadows, blurriness, or other defects
Filters and Digital Alterations	Filters are forbidden. The photo must show your natural skin tones
Background	Solid white or off-white color background
Size	2x2 inches (51x51 mm). Optimal head height is between 1” and 1.4” (25 and 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (50–69% of the photo)
Print Quality	Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper
Resolution	>300 DPI

Note: Digital images must be clear, high-quality photos in a square aspect ratio between 600x600–1200x1200 pixels, in JPEG format, and file size between 54–240 kilobytes. Do not submit digitally scanned images from other ID documents.

Find more examples of acceptable pictures according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The fine details: USCIS photo specifications

When snapping your USCIS application photo, don't forget to follow these important rules to ensure your submitted picture gets accepted.

Smile: Keep a neutral facial expression. A gentle smile with your mouth closed is acceptable
Eyes: Your eyes must be fully visible
Glasses: Even if you wear prescription glasses, remove them. You can wear glasses only under exceptional medical circumstances (e.g., ocular surgery) that call for a signed medical statement. If you keep the glasses, make sure there’s no glare, reflections, or shadows in the photo
Head position: Keep your head centered, facing the camera directly, without tilting or turning
Headgear: Head coverings (hats, headphones, or other accessories) are prohibited. Headgear worn for medical or religious reasons is allowed, but make sure your entire face is visible
Attire: Choose clothes you normally wear, preferably in dark colors. Military prints and uniforms are forbidden. Religious garments are allowed

Looking for detailed information on specific USCIS documents? These articles may help:

USCIS photo sizing details

Getting the size of your USCIS photo right is vital to a successful application. Incorrect sizing can lead to rejection and processing delays, so follow these specific guidelines:

Printed photos must be in the 2x2’’ (51x51 mm) size
Digital photos for online applications must have a square aspect ratio between 600x600–1200x1200 pixels
For both printed and digital photos, your head must be centered and sized between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head

For more detailed size requirements, refer to the official Photo Composition Template.

To resize a digital image stored on your device, consider using the Department of State’s Free Photo Tool. Note that your uploaded photo should have ample space around your head for automatic cropping with this online tool.

Pro tip: The State Department’s Photo Tool is only for cropping purposes and doesn’t guarantee your picture will be accepted. To ensure your application goes smoothly, rely on the help of our biometric photo experts—100% compliance guaranteed.

Online services for USCIS photos

Want to make sure your citizenship application goes smoothly? Don’t risk delays caused by submitting an unacceptable photo—consider opting for a professional service.

Whether you need printed copies or a digital image for an online application, biometric photo tools are here to meet your (and the government’s) expectations.

Here at Passport Photo Online, we did all the legwork and compiled a handy table comparing the most popular tools for obtaining your USCIS photo. Check it out!

Provider	User- friendliness	Essential features	Large country database	Compliance guarantee & refund	Printing service	Price
Passport Photo Online	5/5	✅	✅	✅	✅	$16.95–$19.95
Passport Photo & ID Maker	5/5	❌	✅	❌	❌	Free
ID Photo For Passports And IDs	4/5	✅	✅	❌	❌	Free
iVisa Passport Photo	3/5	✅	✅	❌	✅	$8.29–$16.99
Passport Photo-ID Photo	4/5	❌	✅	❌	❌	Free