Photo Green Card
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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
Roxana is a writer with 3+ years of experience. As a Master in psycholinguistics, she blends her passion for language and communication with insights from diverse cultures, making her content resonate with a broad audience.
Mateusz is a seasoned specialist in biometric photography with over 5 years of hands-on experience. As a member of the prestigious British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) and the Association of Photographers (AOP), he has helped thousands of clients worldwide capture compliant photos for official documents.
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 2x2 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)
