head 50–69 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Verified
Quick answer: A USA refugee travel document photo must be 51 × 51 mm. Even plain background without shadows. Head occupies 50–69% of photo height. Neutral expression, glasses only if no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 51 × 51 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 50–69% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | Even plain background without shadows. |
| Pose | Full face, no noticeable tilt; face turned towards the lens. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible without strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | No harsh shadows or overexposure. |
| Attire | Keep the original clothing and a visible shoulder line. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 5.1 × 5.1 cm |
| Inches | 2 × 2″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 602 × 602 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 1205 × 1205 px |
USA refugee travel document photos are reviewed by the issuing authority against the specifications shown in the table above. Both digital and physical submissions are checked for background colour, head position, lighting quality and file format before the document is processed.
Meet all specifications listed above before submitting. A photo that fails a single criterion — even a background shade variation — delays the entire application. The tool prepares the file to match the profile shown on this page.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for USA refugee travel document applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: plain, one colour
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 50–69 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 51 × 51 mm.
Glasses only if no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 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.
| Authority | U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services |
|---|---|
| Source | Form I-131 instructions: refugee travel document photographs |
| Verified |
Questions
All requirements are in the table above. Format: 51 × 51 mm. Head height: 50–69%. Even plain background without shadows.
Yes. Use a flat, plain wall, natural daylight from a window in front of you, and the rear camera of a phone with a 3-second timer. The tool handles the crop, background normalisation and compliance check.
Eyes must be fully visible without strong reflections. Removing glasses for the photo eliminates the risk of glare causing rejection, especially in automated pre-screening systems.
Most document authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. Use a fresh photo even if the rules technically allow older ones — recency reduces the risk of appearance-mismatch rejection.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the authority rejects the photo and you supply the rejection notice.
51 × 51 mm = 5.1 × 5.1 cm = 2 × 2 inches. At 300 dpi that is 602 × 602 pixels; at 600 dpi, 1205 × 1205 pixels.
Yes. The same 51 × 51 mm format and head size apply to: advance parole document, passport card, TPS travel authorization.