US Green Card Photo Requirements 2026
Complete guide to us green card photo specifications, size, background, and compliance rules. Updated 2026-09-08.
US green card photos use the standard 2x2 inch (51x51mm) passport-style format: color, plain white to off-white background, neutral expression, no glasses, taken within the last six months. One important change to know: for applications filed inside the United States on or after December 12, 2025 (such as Form I-485 adjustment of status or an I-90 card renewal), USCIS no longer accepts photos you submit yourself — your photo is captured at your biometrics appointment at an Application Support Center. You still need your own compliant photos when applying from outside the US through consular processing (the DS-260 immigrant visa route) or when entering the Diversity Visa lottery, both of which follow Department of State photo rules. For digital submissions, that means 600x600 pixels at 300 DPI in JPEG format. PassportPic formats your photo to this specification automatically, backed by our 100% acceptance guarantee.
Photo Specifications
| Photo Size | 2 inches x 2 inches |
| Pixel Dimensions | 600 x 600 pixels |
| Resolution | 300 DPI |
| Background Colour | White or off-white |
| Head Size | 50-69% of frame height |
| File Format | JPEG |
| File Size | 54 KB - 10 MB |
| Document Type | Green card |
Photo Requirements
Facial Expression
Neutral expression with both eyes open and mouth closed
Glasses
Not allowed
Head Covering
Not allowed unless for religious reasons with the face fully visible
Additional Requirements
- Since December 12, 2025, USCIS no longer accepts self-submitted photos for benefit requests filed inside the US (e.g. Form I-485, I-90, N-400) — your photo is taken at the biometrics appointment instead
- You still submit your own photos when applying from abroad: consular processing (DS-260 immigrant visa) and the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery use Department of State photo rules
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
- Same 2x2 inch passport-style standard as US passport photos
- Consular interviews require two identical printed 2x2 inch photos
- Photo must be in color on a plain white to off-white background
Common Rejection Reasons
Wrong background
The background must be white or off-white — plain and uniform, with no patterns, textures, shadows, or other people visible. Stand about half a metre in front of the wall so your body does not cast a shadow onto it.
Head the wrong size or off-centre
Your head must occupy 50-69% of the frame height, centred, facing the camera square-on. Arm's-length selfies usually fail this measurement — have someone take the photo from 1.2–2 metres away, or use a tool that crops to the specification automatically.
Glasses problems
The rule for US Green Card photos: not allowed. Glare, tinted lenses, or frames covering the eyes are among the most common causes of rejected photos worldwide.
Wrong expression
Required: neutral expression with both eyes open and mouth closed. Smiling with visible teeth, raised eyebrows, or a tilted head can fail automated biometric checks.
Shadows or uneven lighting
Light must fall evenly across your whole face — no shadows on the face or the background, no glare or red-eye from flash. Face a window or place two light sources at 45° either side of your face.
Wrong size or file format
Prints must measure exactly 2 inches x 2 inches; digital submissions need 600x600 pixels in JPEG format. A photo that looks fine but is sized or compressed wrong is rejected automatically.
For the full list with fixes, read the 12 most common passport photo rejection reasons, or follow our step-by-step at-home photo guide to avoid them from the start.
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Last updated
2026-09-08