US Green Card Photo (USCIS Form I-485, 2 x 2): size and requirements
The US Green Card Photo size is 51 x 51 mm (2.01 x 2.01 inches). White to off-white background; head 49 to 69 percent of the photo height. Last verified 2026-10-07 against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
For the two printed passport-style photos filed with Form I-485 (adjustment of status to permanent resident). Not for a green card replacement or renewal (Form I-90), whose instructions require no photo, and not for a U.S. passport.
Requirements at a glance
- Size
- 51 x 51 mm (2.01 x 2.01 inches)
- Head height
- Head 49 to 69 percent of the photo height (head height 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin; eye height 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo)
- Eye line
- 56 to 69 percent from the bottom of the photo
- Background
- white to off-white background
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking at the camera
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Head covering
- Only for religious or medical reasons; full face visible
- Prints needed
- 2
- We deliver
- 602 x 602 px (300 DPI), plus a 4 x 6 inch print sheet
What trips people up
- CheckUSCIS measures head height from the top of your hair, not the top of your head, so a tall hairstyle counts toward the 1 3/8 inch maximum.
- CheckThe prints must be on thin, glossy photo paper, unmounted and unretouched. Thick cardstock or matte office paper does not meet the instruction.
- CheckLightly write your name and A-Number in pencil or felt pen on the back of both photos; ink that shows through or a sticker is not acceptable.
- CheckUSCIS's instructions do not mention glasses, but they ask for 'passport-style' photos and the State Department passport standard bans glasses, so take them off.
Source and verification
Read from the official page. Last checked 2026-10-07 at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
You must submit two identical color passport-style photographs of yourself taken recently.
The photos must have a white to off-white background, be printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, and be unmounted and unretouched.
The photos must be 2 by 2 inches with a full face, frontal view. Head height should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin
eye height should measure between 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of your eyes to the bottom of the photo
Your head must be bare unless you are wearing headwear as required by your religious denomination.
Read directly from the Form I-485 instructions PDF on uscis.gov (section 'Photographs'). Form I-90 (replace a green card) instructions (01/20/25) were checked and contain no photo requirement; they say only that USCIS may require biometrics (fingerprints, photograph, and/or signature) at an appointment.
We are an independent service, not a government website. Applying for a passport or visa is done with your government; we only prepare the photo.
Frequently asked questions
