A correct photo is one of the most critical — and often overlooked — parts of your U.S. Green Card application. In 2025, USCIS and the State Department have strict photo requirements that, if not met, can cause application rejection or delays.
Here’s your complete guide to getting it right.
📐 Official Green Card Photo Requirements (2025)
Whether you’re applying through the Diversity Visa Lottery or a family/employment-based petition, your photo must meet these specs:
- 📏 Size:
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) - 🎨 Background:
Plain white or off-white, no patterns or shadows - 📸 Face Position:
Full face visible, facing directly forward, neutral expression - 🧥 Clothing:
No uniforms (except religious garments worn daily), no hats, no headphones or glasses (since 2016) - 🖼️ File Format (if digital):
- JPEG (.jpg)
- Size ≤ 240 KB
- 600×600 pixels minimum
- sRGB color space
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Cropping the head too close to the edge
- ❌ Shadows in the background
- ❌ Smiling or tilting the head
- ❌ Using old passport-style photos
- ❌ Uploading blurry or filtered images
🧠 Pro Tip:
Use the U.S. Department of State’s Photo Tool to test and crop your photo before submitting:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
📂 Where Do You Upload the Photo?
- For Diversity Visa Lottery (DS-5501): Upload digitally during application
- For Adjustment of Status (I-485): Submit printed photo with your packet
- For Consular Processing (DS-260): Bring physical photo to the interview
✅ Final Thoughts
Your Green Card photo might seem like a small detail — but it plays a big role in whether your application moves forward smoothly. Follow the official rules, double-check everything, and when in doubt, use a professional photo service.