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US Green Card photo requirements 2026 (I-485, DS-260, I-90)

USCIS uses the same 2×2 inch passport-style photo for Green Card applications (I-485), immigrant visas (DS-260), Green Card renewals (I-90) and biometrics appointments. The rules are stricter than for a US passport in one key way: the photo must be taken in the last 30 days, not the last 6 months.

Green Card photo specs at a glance

The USCIS photo standard is aligned with the US Department of State, so a Green Card photo is essentially a US passport photo taken more recently. The exact specs are published on the USCIS website under form instructions.

  • Size: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), square.
  • Head size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of hair.
  • Background: plain white or off-white, no shadows or patterns.
  • Expression: neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open and looking at camera.
  • Taken within the last 30 days.
  • Color, high resolution (600 DPI when printed), no filters.

Where you use the Green Card photo

The same 2×2 inch photo is submitted with almost every USCIS immigration form that leads to permanent residency, plus the immigrant visa process at consulates abroad.

  • Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence).
  • Form DS-260 (Immigrant Visa application at US consulates).
  • Form I-90 (Green Card renewal / replacement).
  • Form I-765 (Employment Authorization / EAD card).
  • Form I-131 (Advance Parole / travel document).
  • USCIS biometrics appointment as a backup identifier.

The 3 most common Green Card photo rejections

USCIS is stricter than the passport agency because the photo is used for the physical Green Card that must remain valid for 10 years. Photos are usually rejected for the same three reasons.

  • Background is not truly white — a cream wall, wallpaper texture or visible shadow behind the head.
  • Head too small or too large in the frame — the 1 to 1 3/8 in range is measured, not eyeballed.
  • Photo older than 30 days — even if it looks identical to the applicant today.

Frequently asked questions

Is a Green Card photo the same as a US passport photo?
Almost. Both are 2×2 inches on a white background with the same head-size rules. The difference is recency: a Green Card photo must be taken within the last 30 days, while a US passport photo can be up to 6 months old.
How many photos do I need for a Green Card application?
USCIS asks for two identical 2×2 inch photos with your I-485 or I-90 application. IDReady.ai delivers a 4×6 sheet with 4 copies so you have spares.
Can I use a digital Green Card photo for DS-260?
Yes. The DS-260 online immigrant visa form accepts a digital 2×2 in JPEG uploaded directly to the consular application portal.
Do I need to remove my glasses for a Green Card photo?
Yes. Since 2016 USCIS follows the same rule as the US State Department: no glasses in any US immigration photo, unless a signed medical statement is provided.
How much does a Green Card photo cost?
IDReady.ai charges a single low fee for the digital file plus the printable 4×6 sheet, compared to $15–20 at CVS or Walgreens. You retake for free until the preview is perfect.

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