Quick answer: A USA green card photo must be 51 × 51 mm with white or off-white background. Head occupies 49–69% of photo height. Neutral expression, see glasses rule. Last verified .
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| Format | 51 × 51 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 49–69% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | White or off-white background. |
| Pose | Strictly full face, no tilt. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, eyes open. |
| Glasses | USCIS does not accept glasses, apart from rare medical cases confirmed by documents; under the 2016 rule a photo the applicant submits in glasses is rejected. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows and reflections not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral everyday clothing. |
| Digital resolution | 600 × 600 px |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | Check the authority portal before upload |
| 10 × 15 cm · 4×6″ | 4 (2 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 20 (4 × 5) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
US Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) photos are administered by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). The format is 2×2 inches (51×51mm SQUARE) with head 25-35mm (1 to 1⅜ inches) chin-to-crown.
Background plain WHITE or OFF-WHITE only. The Form I-485 instructions still require two identical photographs with the application. CRITICAL UPDATE: USCIS policy alert PA-2025-29 of 12 December 2025 states that USCIS will not use or reuse self-submitted photographs, and that Forms I-485 and I-90 always require new biometrics including a new photograph.
The portrait printed on the card is therefore taken at a USCIS Application Support Center (ASC). A photo you prepare yourself may still have to be enclosed with the filing, but it will not become the photograph on your card.
| Authority | USCIS |
|---|---|
| Source | USCIS — Form I-485 instructions |
| Verified | |
| Confidence | Official — exact |
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for USA green card applications. The final decision always belongs to USCIS, but these are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Upload a portrait — the tool crops, removes the background and checks compliance against the 51 × 51 mm rule automatically.
White or off-white background. Plain, evenly lit, no shadow or texture. The photo is bound to your active legal residence status — immigration reviewers compare your live appearance to the photo at submission appointments, so quality matters.
Use daylight from a window in front of you. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadow under the brow. Many residence permit reviewers run an automated check before the in-person appointment — uneven lighting fails this check.
Camera at eye level, head straight, looking at the lens. Even a 5° tilt is grounds for rejection at the automated review stage. Place your phone on a stack of books to keep it steady.
Square shoulders, both visible. Centre your head in the frame. Residence permit applications often require both a digital upload AND a physical print — the same photo must work in both formats.
USCIS does not accept glasses, apart from rare medical cases confirmed by documents; under the 2016 rule a photo the applicant submits in glasses is rejected Removing glasses is the safest option for residence permit photos because the document validity is tied to legal status checks that may happen years later.
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open. Residence permit photos are biometrically compared during status renewals — match the neutral expression style of an existing passport photo so future renewals do not flag inconsistency.
Solid dark colours that contrast with the background. Avoid uniforms, religious headwear except where permanently worn, and any clothing or accessories that cover the neckline or face.
Use a photo taken within the last three months. Residence permits are tied to active legal status — submitting an older photo, even one that technically meets the dimension rule, frequently triggers manual review and slows the application.
USCIS publishes the following rejection codes. Knowing the exact code on your notice tells you precisely what to fix in the reshoot.
| Code | Reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
US-GC-01 |
Photo not 2×2 inch (51×51mm) square | Re-crop to USCIS spec |
US-GC-02 |
Head height outside 25-35mm | Re-shoot at correct distance |
US-GC-03 |
Background not white or off-white | Re-shoot against plain backdrop |
US-GC-04 |
Glasses worn (USCIS forbids except medical proof) | Remove glasses; medical exception requires documentation |
US-GC-05 |
Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
US-GC-06 |
Expecting a self-submitted photo to appear on the card (not used since Dec 12, 2025) | Attend USCIS ASC for biometrics-captured photo |
US Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) applications are administered by USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services). Since December 12, 2025 the portrait printed on the card is captured at an Application Support Center (ASC) and a self-submitted photograph is not reused for it — while the current form instructions still require two 2×2 inch photographs in the filing package.
uscis.gov + USCIS ASC network
After I-485 filing, USCIS schedules an ASC appointment for biometric capture (photo + fingerprints + signature). The portrait on the card comes from that appointment; the two 2×2 inch photographs remain required by the form instructions.
Authority pageNVC (National Visa Center) handoff + consular interview
For applicants outside the US. Photo: 2×2 inch white background, taken within 6 months. Bring 2 printed photos to embassy interview.
Authority pageResidence permits are tied to your active legal status. Most authorities require a photo taken within the last three months — older photos, even ones that look similar to your current appearance, are routinely rejected.
White or off-white background is required. Immigration submission portals run a strict automated background check. Patterned wallpaper, off-white shade or shadow gradient are all rejection triggers.
Reusing your existing passport photo for a residence permit application is a common rejection cause. Even if dimensions match, immigration authorities typically require a fresh photo for each application.
Head must be straight and centred. Tilt above 3–5° fails the ICAO alignment check applied at both the automated pre-screening and the in-person biometric appointment.
If you have noticeably changed hair, weight, beard or facial features since the photo was taken, the immigration reviewer will reject the photo at the in-person submission stage and require a new one.
Glasses glare, hair across the eye area, or any clothing that covers the chin or face cause rejection at the automated stage. Religious head covering is acceptable only when permanently worn and documented in the application.
Smile, raised eyebrows or parted lips cause rejection. Residence permit photos must use the same neutral expression standard as biometric passports.
Yes — send them. The Form I-485 instructions in force (edition 01/20/25) still list two identical 2×2 inch colour photographs among the required initial evidence. What changed on December 12, 2025 (USCIS policy alert PA-2025-29) is separate: USCIS does not use or reuse a self-submitted photograph for the card itself — the portrait printed on your Green Card is captured at an Application Support Center during the biometrics appointment. Both hold at once: the photo you file is evidence in the package, the photo on the card is taken by USCIS.
No, the DV Lottery (Diversity Visa) is administered by the State Department, not USCIS. DV entry still requires the applicant to upload a digital photo at dvprogram.state.gov: 2×2 inch square aspect ratio, JPEG ≤240 KB, 600-1200 px per side. An automated scan rejects non-compliant photos before a human reviewer sees them.
Yes. Wear regular clothes (no uniforms, no military fatigues). Religious head coverings are allowed provided the face is fully visible from chin to forehead. Glasses must be removed unless you have documented medical justification. The ASC officer will reshoot if needed.
The USA green card photo must be 51 × 51 mm. The head must occupy 49–69% of the photo height. Submit the photo with your application file or online portal as required by the immigration authority.
Residence permit photos often have stricter recency requirements than passport photos because the permit is tied to an active legal status. Submit a photo taken within the last three months where possible, even if the authority allows up to six months.
White or off-white background. The wall behind you must be evenly lit with no shadows. Patterns or off-white shades typically trigger automated pre-screening rejection at the immigration submission portal.
Usually no. Even when dimensions match, residence permit applications require a fresh photo that reflects your current appearance at the time of application. Reused passport photos are a frequent rejection cause.
If hair, beard, weight or facial features have changed noticeably, take a new photo. The immigration reviewer compares the photo to your current appearance during the in-person submission or biometric appointment.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the USA immigration authority rejects the photo and you supply the official rejection notice.
Anfas.Pro is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government authority. The final decision to accept or reject a document photo rests solely with the issuing authority. Requirements change — always verify on the official authority portal before submitting.