Green Card Photo Requirements (USCIS 2026) — Form I-485, I-90, N-400
USCIS green card photo specifications: 2 × 2 inch dimensions, white background, head coverage 50–69% of photo height, JPEG under 240 KB. Applies to I-485 (adjust status), I-90 (renewal), N-400 (citizenship), and most other USCIS forms.
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TL;DR — USCIS green card photo specifications
- Size: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) — identical to US passport
- Digital: 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI, JPEG format, under 240 KB
- Background: Plain white only
- Head coverage: 50 – 69% of photo height (ICAO-style for US)
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open
- No glasses (since 2016)
- Photo age: Taken within the last 6 months
- Quantity: 2 printed copies with the application packet
USCIS forms that use this photo specification
| Form | Purpose | Photos required |
|---|---|---|
| I-485 | Adjustment of Status (to permanent resident) | 2 printed |
| I-90 | Permanent Resident Card renewal / replacement | 2 printed |
| N-400 | Application for Naturalisation | 2 printed |
| I-765 | Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) | 2 printed |
| I-131 | Re-entry Permit / Refugee Travel Document | 2 printed |
| N-600 | Certificate of Citizenship | 2 printed |
| I-589 | Asylum application | 2 printed |
How to take a green card photo at home
- Plain white wall — fresh paint or a white bedsheet pulled tight. No textures, posters, or windows behind you.
- Stand 0.5 m from the wall to avoid shadow casting.
- Even daylight or two soft lamps. Avoid overhead lighting (cheek-socket shadows are a common rejection trigger).
- Phone at eye level, ~1.2 m away, held vertically by a second person.
- Face the lens, mouth closed, neutral expression, eyes open. No glasses, no hats. Religious head coverings allowed.
- Capture 20+ shots in burst mode. Pick the cleanest.
- Upload to our US passport tool — it produces a 600 × 600 px JPEG under 240 KB plus a 4 × 6 print sheet with 4 copies, which is what USCIS wants in the packet.
Where to print the 2 USCIS photos
- Walgreens or CVS photo kiosk — $0.33 – $0.49 per 4 × 6 sheet, pickup within an hour. The 4 × 6 sheet contains 4 copies; cut to get the 2 USCIS needs plus 2 extras. See our Walgreens & CVS guide for the step-by-step.
- Walmart Photo — cheapest of the big-box retailers at $0.13 – $0.39 per 4 × 6 sheet.
- FedEx Office — $0.49 – $0.99 per 4 × 6 sheet on pro-grade paper. Some immigration attorneys prefer this for the packet.
- Home inkjet — 4 × 6 glossy paper at 200 gsm or heavier. Cheapest per-print at ~$0.50 total.
Common USCIS green card photo rejection reasons
- Background not plain white (cream, off-white, light grey rejected)
- Visible shadows on face, neck, or wall
- Photo larger or smaller than exactly 2 × 2 inches
- Glasses worn (banned since 2016)
- Smile or open mouth
- Hair covering eyes or eyebrows
- Photo older than 6 months
- Beauty filter or phone enhancement applied
- Two photos in the packet that are visibly different
- Photos printed on non-photo paper
Frequently asked questions
What is the size of a green card photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) — identical to the US passport photo size. At 300 DPI digital this equals 600 × 600 pixels. USCIS does not have a separate size; the agency reuses the State Department's passport-photo specification for almost all immigration forms.
Does USCIS accept the same photo as a US passport?
Yes, the dimensions and biometric framing are identical. The same 2 × 2 inch white-background photo works for both. The only difference is the file size ceiling — USCIS online uploads cap at 240 KB; the State Department passport form caps at 240 KB online as well. Both are met by our exported JPEG.
Which USCIS forms use this photo specification?
Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status), Form I-90 (Permanent Resident Card renewal), Form N-400 (Naturalisation), Form I-765 (Employment Authorisation), Form I-131 (Travel Document), Form N-600 (Certificate of Citizenship), and Form I-589 (Asylum). The biometric appointment also captures fingerprints and a separate live photo, but the application packet uses the standard 2 × 2 inch portrait.
How many green card photos do I need?
USCIS typically requires 2 identical 2 × 2 inch printed photos with the application packet (paper submission). The biometric appointment that USCIS schedules afterwards captures additional photos in-house — so you only need to provide the initial 2 prints.
Does USCIS apply the 2026 AI-edit ban?
USCIS has not announced an AI-edit ban as of mid-2026. The State Department's January 2026 8 FAM 402.1 rule applies to passport applications specifically — USCIS adjudicates immigration benefits separately. AI background replacement remains accepted for green card photos as of this writing. Always confirm the latest USCIS Form Instructions before relying on this.
Can I print green card photos at Walgreens or CVS?
Yes. Our 4 × 6 print sheet contains 4 identical 2 × 2 inch photos arranged for cutting. Upload the sheet to the Walgreens or CVS photo kiosk service ($0.33 – $0.49 per print) and pick up at the store. Cut along the corner guides — you have 4 copies for the 2 USCIS requires plus 2 extras.
Can I wear my country's traditional clothing in a green card photo?
Yes. USCIS allows everyday or traditional clothing as long as the face is fully visible and the clothing isn't a uniform that could confuse identification. Religious head coverings (hijab, turban, kippah, etc.) are explicitly permitted per the same rules as US passport photos.
What if my photo gets rejected by USCIS?
USCIS will issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) asking for compliant photos. The application processing pauses until you submit new photos. This delays the case by 60–90 days on average. Use a tool that targets the exact 2 × 2 inch specification to avoid this — see the State Department's published examples for visual reference.
Make USCIS green card photos now
Start at US passport / USCIS photo tool — the same 2 × 2 inch template covers all USCIS green card and naturalisation forms. Need a print location? See print at Walgreens / CVS or browse all US print options.