Official requirements
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 600 × 600 px |
| Head height | 50%–69% of photo height (chin to top of hair) |
| Eye height | 56%–69% from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Submission | Printed photo |
Rules to follow
- Send two identical color photos, each 2 × 2 inches.
- Head height from top of hair to bottom of chin is 1 to 1⅜ inches.
- Eye height is 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches from the bottom of the photo.
- Use a white to off-white background.
- Print on thin paper with a glossy finish; do not mount or retouch.
- Keep your head bare unless your religion requires a head covering.
- Take off your glasses so the photo meets U.S. passport-photo standards.
- For Form I-485 the photos must be taken within 30 days of filing.
- Lightly write your name and A-Number (if any) on the back in pencil or felt pen.
Why Green Card (USCIS Form I-485) photos get rejected
- Photos older than 30 days at filing.
- Matte or heavyweight paper instead of thin glossy paper.
- Two photos that are not identical.
- Head size outside 1–1⅜ in.
- Pressing hard with a ballpoint pen so writing shows through the front.
Our checks catch these before you download — and you see the result before you pay.
Questions
Is this the photo that appears on my green card?
Not necessarily. USCIS can take your photograph again at the biometrics appointment, and the card image typically comes from that capture. Your mailed prints still have to meet the spec.
Why does USCIS ask for photos taken within 30 days?
The USCIS Policy Manual sets a 30-day window for adjustment-of-status filings so the photo matches how you look when the case is opened. Date your prints before mailing.
Can I wear a hijab or turban in my green card photo?
Yes. The I-485 instructions allow headwear required by your religious denomination; otherwise your head must be bare. Keep your full face visible from chin to forehead.
Sources: USCIS – Form I-485 Instructions (Photographs) · USCIS Policy Manual – Vol. 7, Part A, Chapter 4 (Documentation). PhotoForUSA is an independent service, not affiliated with any government. Rules change — always check the official source before you apply.