Green card photo (2 × 2 in)
USCIS asks for two identical 2 × 2 inch colour photos for most green card forms. Make them here and print them on one 4 × 6 sheet.
- 50.8 × 50.8 mm
- White or off-white background
Green card photo (2 × 2 in)
or drag it here. JPG, PNG or WebP from your phone or computer.
Requirements
Checks
Your photo stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded to our server.
Green card photo requirements
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Pixels at 300 DPI | 600 × 600 px |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) |
| Eye height | 1⅛–1⅜ in (29–35 mm) from the bottom |
| Background | White or off-white |
| Colour | Colour photo, sharp and evenly lit |
Official source: USCIS: Form I-485. Rules can change, so check it before you apply.
Green card photos follow the same standard as US passport photos: 2 × 2 inches, head 1 to 1⅜ inches, white or off-white background, taken in the last 30 days for most USCIS forms. Check your form's instructions for the exact number of photos.
Write your name and A-number lightly in pencil on the back of each photo before you mail them, so they can be matched to your file if they come loose.
How to take the photo
Find a plain, light wall
Stand about half a metre in front of it so your shadow falls behind you, not on the wall around your head.
Face the light
Daylight from a window in front of you works best. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows under the eyes.
Have someone take it at eye level
The camera should be about 1.2 m (4 ft) away, level with your eyes. Leave space above your head and include your shoulders.
Crop it here
Add the photo above, check that the top of your head and your chin sit on the red lines, and download.
Tips for this document
- Print on photo paper, not plain paper.
- Don't staple through the face. Put photos in a small envelope or clip them to the form.
Common reasons photos are rejected
- Correct
- Head too small
- Head too large
- Head tilted
- Shadow behind
- Busy background
Printing your photos
Download the print sheet and print it at a photo shop, a pharmacy photo counter or at home on photo paper. Choose actual size or 100% in the print settings; “fit to page” shrinks the photos and they will be the wrong size. Cut along the small corner marks so each photo measures exactly 50.8 × 50.8 mm.
Questions people ask
How many photos do I need for a green card?
Usually two identical photos per applicant. The I-485, I-90 and I-131 instructions list the exact number.
Is a green card photo the same as a passport photo?
The size and background are the same. USCIS usually wants photos taken within 30 days of filing.