Green Card Photo Requirements & Specifications
What are the official requirements for a Green Card photo? For your convenience, we’ve compiled the full list for you. Here it is:
- Photo must be 2x2 inches (600 x 600 px)
- Head size is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm)
- Plain white or white-off background
- Recent photo (taken within the last 6 months)
- Maximum file size: 240 KB, JPEG format
- Image must be in color, color depth: 24 bits per pixel
- Full face front view, eyes are looking straight towards the camera
- Neutral face expression, eyes open and clearly visible
- Sharp and clear image, with medium contrast, no deep shadows
The U.S. Department of State created an online editor called Photo Tool. With its help, you can make an image for any official American document, including a Green Card. However, the tool doesn’t always work well. People report numerous glitches, for example, it’s impossible to fit both hair and face into the grid, or, what’s even worse - the submission progress gets lost. Also, this tool is a no go if you have an unstable Internet connection.
How to Make a Green Card Photo with Passport Photo Maker
The biggest advantage of Passport Photo Maker is its ease of use. You just need to make a few clicks and the software will crop your photo according to the USCIS requirements. Thanks to the biometric features detection, all those tricky millimeters will be counted and cropped out correctly. Also, there are built-in hints and guidelines for all document types, so you can be sure your photo will correspond to all the requirements and will be accepted by the officials.
Add the ID types you often use to Favorites for a quick access
Now let’s see how you can create a Green Card photo using Passport Photo Maker. You need to follow these 5 easy steps:
Step 1. Open Your Photo
Start Passport Photo Maker and open your picture. You can do that either by clicking the Open photo button or dragging the image directly from its folder.
You can pick a photo from the navigation panel on the left
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Step 2. Select the Green Card Type
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You don't have to scroll through the whole database. Just type in the country name - United States - in the Search field. Then select “Green Card” from the ID types list.
Use the Search option to quickly find the ID type you need
Step 3. Crop the Photo
Once you select the ID type, the software will automatically crop your image to the Green card photo size. Read the guidelines on the right to check if other requirements like a background color are correct.
Check if the eye distance, head size and facial area are within limits
Step 4. Change the Background
You photo doesn't have a white background? Move to the Edit tab and click Change Background. Select the white color and fill the background with this color in a single click.
Adjust Color Threshold to replace the old background completely
Step 5. Save Your Photo
Save your photo. Go back to the Edit tab and click Save Photo to File. Check the size and DPI, then click Save File. Now you can upload your photo to the official website together with the application.
If you changed any settings, click Refresh to update the output file information
Download the Green Card photo tool and follow these steps to prepare your own photos according to the official requirements!
Top Green Card FAQs
Even after reading the official requirements, many people still have some questions. For example, how many photos they need, where to take them, is it possible to wear glasses or a cap, etc. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of FAQs:
- Are there any special requirements for clothes?
Put on clothes you wear on a daily basis. Headwear is not allowed unless it’s a must for your religion. In this case, you will have to attach a signed statement saying that you wear this head item daily. - Can I wear my favorite sunglasses?
You can wear glasses only if you have a prescription from your doctor. However, tinted glasses are not allowed in any case. - Can I smile when taking a photo?
Smiles and any unusual expressions are not allowed. Be calm and look directly at the camera when taking the shot. - Do children also have to take a photo (including babies)?
Yes, they do. The child should be the only subject in the frame (no support should be seen, mechanical or human). - Can I take a photo at home?
If you have a good digital camera, you can take your photo right at home. Just don’t forget to stand in front of a plain background (messy or dark backgrounds are not allowed). - If I can take a photo at home, can I just submit a selfie?
No. The official requirements demand a clear, front view, with correct and sharp focus. Selfies often have distortions and wrong camera angles. - Can I enhance my photo? For example, apply a smoothing filter to my skin.
You can’t retouch or enhance the photo in any way, including basic contrast and brightness adjustment done with an image editor. However, you can change the background if it’s not appropriate and fill it with the required color. - How many photos do I need to take?
You need one photo, but it’s better to have a couple more, just in case.
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Why It’s Better to Pick Passport Photo Maker?
Passport Photo Maker is extremely easy to use, so you can make a Green Card photo in just a few clicks, without hiring a professional photographer. What’s more, you can create photos for other documents thanks to the built-in passport, student card, driving license, and visa photo sizes. If you like traveling, this software will be a real treasure for you since it has one of the largest databases with 130+ countries. The smart printing module lets you print several ID types on one paper sheet. So you will be able to save money on both taking photos and printing them.
Make a photo for the U.S. passport in a click
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The long list of official requirements often looks intimidating. However, with Passport Photo Maker, you’ll be able to create a photo that meets all of them pretty easily. Don’t let your American dream go away. Create a Green Card photo right now and maybe your dream will come true this year.