Learn About the Green Card Passport Photo Size and Other Requirements

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Green Card Passport Photo Size and Other Requirements Explained

Taking a photo is easy nowadays because you can snap a pic with your phone in seconds. The process automatically gets complicated if you need it for your green card application.

Since your passport photo is an essential part of the green card application, it is crucial to know the green card passport photo size and other requirements.

Should you hire a professional photographer or take the passport photo at home? DoNotPay provides all the info you need.

What Is the Passport Photo Size for a Green Card?

For a green card, the passport photo size should be 2 x 2 inches, which is approximately 5 cm x 5 cm. In addition, your head must:

  • Measure between 1 and 1 ⅜ inches (25 mm to 35 mm) from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin
  • Occupy between 50% and 69% of the image’s total height

Digital Passport Photo Requirements

In case you plan to submit a digital passport photo, here are the requirements you need to meet:

  • The dimensions should be in a square aspect ratio
  • Your passport photo should be in high resolution—minimum 600 x 600 and maximum 1200 x 1200 pixels
  • You should save your image in JPEG format
  • The size of the photo should not be bigger than 240 kB. If you need to compress the image, the compression ratio should be less than or equal to 20:1

If you have a printed passport photo, you can scan it, but make sure that the resolution is 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per mm).

Additional Requirements for a Green Card Passport Photo

Besides the green card passport photo size, there are rules about other aspects of your photo. Your picture should be:

  1. In color
  2. Taken in front of a white background, with no shadows or uneven lighting
  3. Snapped within the last six months
  4. Printed on high-quality photo paper

You also need to make sure you meet these requirements:

You ShouldYou Should Not
  • Wear everyday clothing
  • Face the camera directly
  • Keep both eyes open
  • Make sure your entire face, including your ears, is visible
  • Have a neutral expression, without any frowns or wide smiles
  • Wear a uniform or costume
  • Put on a veil or face mask
  • Use heavy makeup that might alter your facial features
  • Wear hats or head coverings (unless you’re wearing them for medical or religious reasons)
  • Wear shirts with a low neckline
  • Put on glasses, except for medical reasons. In that case, you need to have a signed statement from your doctor

Where To Take a Green Card Passport Photo

Since the passport photo requirements are strict and numerous, you might want to get the picture taken professionally instead of taking it at home. One of the main reasons to hire a professional photographer is to reduce the risk of having your photo rejected.

Here are a few places you can visit to get your passport photo taken:

  • Shipping centers
  • Retail outlets
  • Pharmacies
  • Passport offices
  • Passport expediting centers
  • Photography studios

Before you visit any of these locations, you should call and check if:

  1. The location near you provides passport photo services
  2. You can walk in or need to schedule an appointment
  3. The waiting time for printed copies is more than an hour
  4. The cost of the photos is not too high

The process of going out to get your photo taken can be quite a bother. Go for the easier option—, and get your green card passport photo in the blink of an eye!

Use DoNotPay To Generate the Best Passport Photo

What’s the best part about using DoNotPay to generate your passport photo? We are fully aware of the government requirements and will ensure that your photo meets all of them. For a small fee, we can email the photo to you in a matter of minutes.

Here are a few easy steps that you need to follow:

  1. from your web browser
  2. Type Passport Photos in the search bar
  3. Take a headshot using your phone or upload an existing photo
  4. Enter your email address

You don’t have to worry about business hours—you can use our service at any time and cross this task off your to-do list!

Once you upload your headshot, our AI-powered app will make the required edits. In case your photo does not fit the official standards, we will inform you promptly.

After the process is complete, we will email the photo to you. You can also provide your home address and request printed copies.

Find your place of residence in the table below to see where you can have your passport photo taken:

San DiegoSacramentoBostonAlbuquerqueRaleigh
HoustonAtlantaPhoenixSan FranciscoDenver
CincinnatiRochesterLos AngelesColumbusScottsdale
HonoluluMinneapolisChicagoTallahasseeKansas City
New York CityPortlandPhiladelphiaAustinRockville
SeattleCharlestonSan JoseSan AntonioCharlotte
HerndonColvilleIndianapolisLas VegasBrooklyn

Have More Questions About Passport Photos? DoNotPay Has All the Answers!

Want to learn more about passport photos before taking one? DoNotPay offers numerous guides on passport photo requirements, such as:

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