Green Card Photo Tool [+Expert Check]
Discover all you need to know about Green Card pictures—and take your own photo at home with our Green Card photo editor.
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Green Card Photo—Specifications
Printed size
2x2 in
Head height
Must fill 50–69% of the frame
Background color
White or off-white
Digital dimensions
600x600–1200x1200 px
Resolution
300–600 dpi
Recency
Last 6 months
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Our leading expert with 5+ years of hands-on experience in biometric photography, and a member of the prestigious British Institute Of Professional Photography. Mateusz has assisted countless global customers in taking photos for their official documents—this has earned him the rank of expert in photo requirements.
Green Card Photo: Requirements, Examples & Photo Tool
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 that those eligible for a Green Card submit a biometric photograph up to the official requirements.
Here, you’ll find all the information you need about your Green Card picture, from size requirements to allowed clothing.
You’ll also get tips on where to go to have your photograph taken and how to take a photo for a Green Card at home in only a few clicks using our online Green Card photo editor.
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).
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: Resolution, Size & More
| 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 3/8” 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 if you submit Green Card photos online:
- 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 make sure there’s no 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 accessories such as headphones or wireless hands-free devices
Green Card Photo Examples
USCIS photo tool
The US Department of State shares their free photo tool that’s suitable for your Green Card picture check. Even though it’s filled with various photo examples, keep in mind that it’s only a cropping tool that allows you to adjust the proper size and dimensions.
If you’re looking for more advanced features, try Passport Photo Online—a professional Green Card photo checker that will help you make a photo for your Green Card and verify it in minutes!
Simply download our professional photo tool on Android or iOS or snap a photo with your phone or camera and upload it by using the button at the top of this page.
Here's how to use our Green Card photo maker:
This is a very useful service. I took a selfie and after a few goes I decided on an adequate one. The background was automatically changed to white and I was informed that the the final image met all the criteria. No need to go to a photo booth anymore!
Kris Phillips (GB)
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FAQ
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.
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.
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.
The DV-2026 Program entry period will run from 12:00 pm (noon), Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Wednesday, October 2, 2024, until 12:00 pm (noon), Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Thursday, November 7, 2024.
Yes, you must list all living, unmarried children under 21 years of age at the time of your entry, including:
- All natural children
- All legally adopted children and
- All stepchildren who meet the age requirements, even if you’re no longer married to that child’s parent.
Additionally, you must include your spouse unless you’re legally separated. Failure to include your spouse and all eligible children may disqualify your entry.
Countries with historically low immigration rates to the United States can apply. However, the following countries are ineligible for DV-2026 because more than 50,000 of their natives have immigrated to the United States in the past five years:
- Bangladesh
- Brazil
- Canada
- China (including Hong Kong)
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- El Salvador
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jamaica
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Philippines
- South Korea
- United Kingdom (except Northern Ireland)
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
The Department of State strongly recommends that you submit the entry yourself. Be present if someone else helps you, and retain the unique confirmation number and a printout of your confirmation screen. Do not trust individuals or companies that offer to keep your confirmation number for you; there have been instances of third parties demanding money or engaging in illegal activities in exchange for the confirmation number.
The confirmation code is crucial because it is the only way to check your entry's status. Without it, you will not be able to know if you have been selected. Make sure to keep it in a safe place and avoid sharing it with others.
Starting May 3, 2025, you can check the status of your entry by visiting dvprogram.state.gov, clicking on Entrant Status Check, and entering your unique confirmation number and personal information. This will be the only way to determine if you have been selected for DV-2026.
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