Learn Green Card Photo Requirements & Get It Done Right

Discover all you need to know about Green Card pictures—and take your own photo comfortably from home in 3 seconds.

1M+
approved
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance
Learn Green Card Photo Requirements & Get It Done Right
1M+
approved
ID photos
200%
Guarantee of
acceptance

How does it work?

Get the perfect biometric photo in 3 minutes or less.

Check out just how simple it is!

Snap or upload a photo

Snap or upload a photo

That's the only thing you need to do. Snap or upload a photo - we'll take care of the rest.

AI prepares the photo

AI prepares the photo

Artificial Intelligence will check your photo, crop it to the right size and remove the background.

Expert verification

Expert verification

Our Photo Expert will make additional verification to check if your photo meets the official requirements.

Digital or print photos

Digital or print photos

You can download a digital version and order a printout which we will send within 2-4 days. Delivery is free!

Why?

Take a biometric photo conveniently without leaving home

You save time and money

Convenience

Don't waste time, effort or money. You can take your passport photo without leaving home.

Professional service

Over 1 million people have used our services within the past 11 years. Our Photo Experts are available 24/7.

Money-back guarantee

We guarantee the authorities will accept your photo(s) or we will refund double your purchase cost!

Satisfaction guarantee

Take as many photo shots as you want - you pay only when you are satisfied.

How to take a photo?

Taking a photo for your ID has never been so easy.

Follow these simple instruction to take the perfect ID photo.

1

Body-camera distance

The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.

2

Posture: Straight ahead

Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.

3

Lighting

Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.

Green Card photo—specifications

Learn Green Card Photo Requirements & Get It Done Right
Size
Width: 2 in
Height: 2 in
Resolution
301 dpi
Is it suitable for online submission?
Yes
Image definition parameters
Head height: 1.29 in
Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 1.18 in
Is it printable?
Yes
Background Color
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Green Card Photo - All You Need to Know

The US Diversity Visa (DV) Program enables immigrants to settle, become US permanent residents, and work lawfully anywhere across the United States.

As a part of the application process, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) demands those eligible for a Green Card submit a biometric photograph up to the official requirements.

Here, you’ll receive all the information you need about your Green Card picture, from size requirements to allowed clothing.

Also, you’ll get tips on how to pose, where to go to have your photograph taken, or how to ensure photo compliance from home in only a few clicks.

Understanding Green Card photo requirements

Green Card applicants must submit a digital passport photo while applying online.

For your Green Card interview, you’ll need to bring physical photos instead. The number of hard copies you submit depends on your application form and location—it can be from one (if applying outside of the US) to eight photos (if applying as a non-US citizen within the US territory).

Find out more details on how many photos you need for a Green Card application.

A Green Card photo is the same as a US passport photo. However, your Green Card pictures must reflect your current look, so you better take them right before applying for the document. You can learn a whole list of requirements below.

Green Card Photo Requirements Explained

Requirement

Prints & Digital

Color

Must be in color

Recency

Not older than 6 months—you must take a new photo if your physical appearance has changed considerably (e.g., a gender transition or evident facial surgery)

Image Clarity

Clear, well-lit image of your face, not blurry, grainy, or pixelated

Filters and Digital Alterations

Do not use filters. The picture must show your natural skin tone

Background

Plain white or off-white

Size

2x2 inches (51x51 mm). Your head occupies 50–69% of the photo—equivalent to 1–1.4” or 25–35 mm

Print Quality

Printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper

Resolution

Between 300 and 600 DPI (dots per inch)

And here are some extra considerations for digital Green Card photos:

  • 600x600–1200x1200 px of resolution
  • 54–240 KB in file size
  • JPEG format
  • Digitally scanned photos are not accepted

Note: The regulations for Green Card photos for children and babies are the same. The only exception is that newborns can look away from the camera.

The fine details: Green Card picture specifications

Additionally, you must follow the requirements regarding their pose, facial expression, and attire for your photo, among others:

  • Smile: Keep a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed
  • Eyes: Make sure your eyes are open and fully visible
  • Glasses: Take your glasses off. Glasses are allowed only in rare medical cases (like eye surgery), and being careful not to cause glare, reflection, or shadows 
  • Head position: Look directly at the camera and keep your head straight
  • Headgear: Head coverings are allowed only for medical or religious reasons
  • Attire: Choose regular clothes and avoid wearing white clothes. Uniforms are forbidden, except religious attires worn daily. The same goes for complements such as headphones or wireless hands-free devices

Check out our articles if you’d like to read further on DV Lottery photo requirements or get to know detailed steps on how to renew a Green Card.

Green Card photo size: details

When it comes to your Green Card photo, following the official guidelines is a must. The US State Department offers a photo composition template which can assist you in framing your image correctly. To help you understand it, here's a breakdown:

  • Hard copies must be 2x2 inches (51x51 mm). The head height, measured from your chin's bottom to your head's top, should be 1 to 1.4 inches (22 mm to 35 mm)—about 50–69% of the image
  • Digital photos need to be square—between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels. The file size must be from 54 to 240 KB.

To ensure your digital photo meets the size requirements, use the official Green Card Photo Tool available here. However, this tool only checks dimensions, not all the other requirements.

If you seek absolute confidence that your Green Card photos will be accepted, try our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android.


Passport Photo Online is here to assist you every step of the way, from sizing to compliance, all while simplifying the process and saving you valuable time and money.

Online services for Green Card photos 

The key to obtaining fully-valid Green Card photos is relying on professional visa photo services—and online photo tools have emerged as a highly trustworthy and convenient alternative to traditional stores.

Not all online Green Card photo editors are created equally, though. Some come with a greater guarantee level or cater more precisely to your unique needs. 

To aid your decision-making process, we've handpicked five popular apps that stand out in this realm:

Provider

User-

friendliness

Essential features

Large country database

Compliance guarantee & refund

Printing service

Price

Passport Photo Online

5/5 

$4.99

Passport Photo & ID Maker

5/5

$6.99

ID Photo For Passports And IDs

4/5

Free

iVisa Passport Photo

3/5

Unclear 

Passport Photo-ID Photo

4/5

$6.99

For additional insights and guidance, we've also prepared detailed reviews of the best passport photo apps.

Passport Photo Online offers unmatched quality, convenience, and peace of mind. Check out what clients have to say about us.

Last update: 9/27/23

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

What kind of photo do I need for a Green Card?

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The type of photo you need to apply for a Green Card is a passport-style photo compliant with the US State Department’s standards and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) guidelines.

Where can I get Green Card photos taken?

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While few places explicitly offer taking Green Card photos, you can go to any photo-taking location and ask for a 2x2-inch photo. Simply search for “Green Card photo near me” in Google or visit your nearest local photo studio, or retail store such as CVS, Walgreens, or UPS store.

Can you take a Green Card photo with your phone?

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Yes. For a foolproof solution, try Passport Photo Online, which not only simplifies the process but also guarantees the validity of your photos.

Download Passport Photo Online on your smartphone, take a photo, wait about a minute, and let us do the rest. Our advanced AI technology and expert team will ensure your Green Card photo meets all requirements. Order your prints directly to your door and receive a digital image at your email address.