Green Card Photo Requirements
Official photo requirements for United States passport applications. Follow these specifications exactly to ensure your photo is accepted. Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
Green Card Lottery Digital Photo Size Requirements
Green Card Lottery digital photo size requirements including 2x2 inch dimensions.
Official Photo Size
The photo must be exactly 2×2. This is a critical requirement—photos that don't match the exact dimensions will be rejected.
| Inches | 2×2 |
| Millimeters | 51×51 |
| Pixels (300 DPI) | 600×600 px |
Tip
Background & Lighting
Background: Plain white or off-white. The background must be uniform with no shadows, patterns, or other people visible.
- No shadows on the background or your face
- No patterns, textures, or decorations
- No other people or objects visible
- Uniform color throughout
- Even lighting with no harsh shadows
Face & Head Size Rules
Head size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) from chin to top of head. Your face must be positioned correctly in the frame.
- Face the camera directly (no tilting)
- Expression: Neutral expression (no smiling)
- Eyes open and clearly visible
- Head centered in the frame
- Shoulders visible in the photo
What You Can Wear (Glasses, Head Coverings)
Understanding what accessories and clothing are allowed:
- Glasses: Allowed, but no tinted lenses or glare
- Clothing: Regular clothing (no uniforms or camouflage)
- Head coverings are only allowed for religious purposes
- Head coverings must not cast shadows on your face
- Your face must be fully visible from bottom of chin to top of forehead
Photo Quality Requirements
Sharp focus, high resolution (300 DPI), color photo, no filters or alterations
- Sharp focus with no blur
- High resolution (minimum 300 DPI for printing)
- No filters or digital alterations
- Color photo (no black and white)
- Recent photo (taken within last 6 months)
Common Rejection Reasons
Photos that don't meet these requirements will be rejected, delaying your application. Common issues specific to United States general applications:
- Wrong photo size (not 2×2)
- Incorrect background (not plain white or off-white)
- Wrong head size (not 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) from chin to top of head)
- Poor photo quality (blurry or pixelated)
- Wrong expression (Neutral expression (no smiling))
- Shadows on face or background
- Photo too old (taken more than 6 months ago)
- Digital alterations or filters
- Smiling or unusual expression
- Shadows on background
- Wrong head size
- Poor photo quality or resolution
- Photo too old (older than 6 months)
Local Notes for United States
- US passport photos must be taken within the last 6 months
- No uniforms or camouflage clothing allowed
- Professional photo studios often provide compliant photos
- Photo must be taken within the last 6 months
- No head coverings unless for religious purposes
- Eyes must be open and clearly visible
- Same requirements as US passport photos
- Photo must be in color (not black and white)
Printing Tips for United States
- Print on 4×6 inch photo paper at 300 DPI
- Most US photo printing services (Walgreens, CVS) can print passport photos
- Cut photos to exactly 2×2 inches with no white borders
Create a United States Passport Photo Online
Use our tool to create a compliant general photo. We'll automatically:
- Crop to exactly 2×2
- Fix background to plain white or off-white
- Ensure proper head size (1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) from chin to top of head)
- Align face correctly
- Export at 300 DPI for print quality
Create Your Passport Photo
Upload your photo and we'll make it compliant with United States requirements
Free to try • Pay only for HD download
Green Card Photo Requirements FAQs
What size is a Green Card photo?
Green Card photos must be exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), or 600×600 pixels at 300 DPI. This is the same size as US passport photos.
What background color is required for Green Card photos?
The background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows, patterns, or other people visible. The background should be uniform and professional.
Can I wear glasses in a Green Card photo?
Yes, but glasses must not have tinted lenses and there should be no glare or reflection that obscures your eyes. If possible, it's recommended to remove glasses to avoid any issues.
What is the head size requirement for Green Card photos?
Your head must be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head. This ensures your face is properly sized in the photo.
How recent must a Green Card photo be?
Green Card photos must be taken within the last 6 months to be considered current and acceptable for your application.
Can I take a Green Card photo at home?
Yes! You can take a Green Card photo at home using your smartphone, then use our tool to crop and adjust it to meet all requirements. Make sure you have good lighting and a plain white background.
Are Green Card photos the same as passport photos?
Yes, Green Card photos use the exact same requirements as US passport photos: 2×2 inches, white background, neutral expression, and proper head size.
What expression should I have in my Green Card photo?
You should have a neutral expression with your mouth closed. No smiling, frowning, or unusual expressions are allowed. Your eyes must be open and clearly visible.