USCIS Passport-Style Photo (2x2) for Green Card & Citizenship Forms
Most USCIS paper filings — adjustment of status (I-485), work permit (I-765), travel document (I-131) and naturalization (N-400) — ask for two identical passport-style photos. Make them here and print them on one 4×6 sheet.
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1. Choose a photo — front-facing, even light, plain light background.
2. Adjust — drag to move, slider to zoom.
3. Optional: replace background
⚠️ Many authorities reject photos that are digitally altered. For the safest result, take the photo against a plain light wall and skip this step.
Background editing is disabled for this photo type because the issuing authority prohibits edited or background-replaced photos. Use a real plain wall.
4. Checks
- Waiting for a photo
Automated checks are guides only — they can't judge expression, glasses, shadows or focus.
5. Download (free)
Requirements at a glance
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Digital output (this tool) | 600 × 600 px JPEG |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 25.4–34.9 mm |
| Eye line from bottom | 28.6–34.9 mm |
| Background | white to off-white |
| Print resolution | 300 DPI |
| Photos per 4×6 / A4 sheet | 6 / 20 |
| Background editing | avoid; optional tool available |
Official source: https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-485instr.pdf. Checked 2026-10-20. Rules change — always confirm with the issuing authority before applying.
What USCIS asks for
USCIS form instructions (for example the Form I-485 instructions) describe the same passport-style photo used by the State Department: 2 × 2 inches, in colour, full face and frontal, on a white to off-white background, printed on thin glossy photo paper, unmounted and not retouched. The head should measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the hairline/top of head to the chin, and the eyes should be 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the photo. The head must be bare unless you wear headwear for religious reasons.
Photos must be recent — USCIS generally expects them to be taken within 30 days of filing for many forms — so make a fresh one for each filing rather than reusing your passport picture.
How many photos do I need?
Usually two identical photos per form, per person. If you file several forms together (a common I-485 + I-765 + I-131 package), each form needs its own set. One 4×6 print sheet from this tool gives you six identical 2×2 photos, which covers three forms.
Labelling the photos
Lightly write your name and A-Number (if you have one) on the back of each photo in pencil or felt pen, without pressing hard enough to mark the front. Put the photos in a small envelope or plastic bag clipped to the form — do not staple through them.
Online filings and biometrics
When you file online, or when USCIS schedules a biometrics appointment, the photo used on your card is often taken at the Application Support Center. Paper filings still need the physical photos, and missing or non-compliant photos can lead to a rejection or a request for evidence that delays your case.
Printing tips
Download the 4×6 sheet, upload it to a pharmacy or supermarket photo service, choose a 4×6 print with no cropping ("fit"), and cut along the light grey guides. Glossy thin paper matches the instructions best.
How to make a USCIS / green card photo with this tool
- Pick a photo taken in the last few months against a white to off-white background, face lit evenly from the front.
- The tool finds your face and scales it so the head is about 30 mm tall on a 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) photo.
- Drag or zoom until every check is green — the eyes must sit inside the green band.
- Download the 600×600 px JPG for online forms, or a 4×6 sheet with 6 photos to print.
FAQ
What size photo does USCIS require?
2x2 inches, colour, white to off-white background, head 1 to 1 3/8 inches, eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom.
Is a USCIS photo the same as a US passport photo?
Yes, the dimensions and composition are the same passport-style specification.
How many photos does Form I-485 need?
The instructions ask for two identical passport-style photos. Related forms such as I-765 and I-131 need their own.
Can I print USCIS photos at home?
They should be on thin glossy photo paper. A pharmacy 4x6 print of our sheet is the simplest way to get professional-quality paper.
What do I write on the back of USCIS photos?
Lightly print your name and A-Number, if you have one, using pencil or felt pen.