Get a Compliant Green Card Photo From Home

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

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 (22mm to 35mm)—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.

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:

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

Last update: 9/30/23