U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recommends that green card applicants use a professional visa photo service to ensure their photo meets all the requirements. If you plan to take the photo yourself, here is the list of requirements:
- Photo must be in color
- Make sure the photo presents the full head from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin
- Center the head with the frame
- The person in the photo should have a neutral expression and be facing the camera
- Photo must be 2 inches x 2 inches
- The height of your head should measure 1 inch to 1 and 3/8 inches (25 mm – 35 mm)
- Ensure the eye height is between 1 and 1/8 inches to 1 and 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Taken in front of a white or off-white background
- With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
- Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily
- No hat or head covering that hides the hair, unless worn daily for religious reasons
- No headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or other electronic devices
- No eyeglasses, except when eyeglasses must be worn for medical reasons. For instance, if the applicant recently had ocular surgery. A medical statement signed by a doctor must be included. Learn more here about the requirements if eyeglasses must be worn.
For more detailed information, check out our blog post here.