Make US Green Card Photo for Free

Original US Green Card photos online with our easy-to-use service. Simply upload a photo from your smartphone, and we'll turn it into a perfectly-sized passport photo that meets all official requirements. 100% guarantee acceptance of your photos.

US visa photo
2inch 2inch 1.29inch 1.18inch

Source: official website uscis.gov

Get photo for: US Green Card (Permanent Resident) 2x2

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US Green Card Photo Maker

Every application necessitates a precise photograph, which immigration bodies utilize for your identification. Staying true to the essential guidelines allows you to photograph this essential image at home, making use of either a digital camera or your smartphone. Read ahead to find out the exact steps!

Steps to Make US Green Card Photos Online

If you’d like to make your own photo for a US Green Card, saving you the trouble of making an appointment with a professional photographer and turning up in person, there are a few important steps you’ll need to follow. We’ve broken them down for you below:

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  1. On PhotoGov.com, first choose what sort of document you are preparing a photograph for—i.e., a passport, visa, etc.
  2. Next, take your photograph and upload it to our US Green Card photo maker. Make sure you follow the necessary guidelines for creating a biometric picture.
  3. Refine your picture using our platform. PhotoGov.com automatically optimizes your photograph to help ensure it meets the necessary criteria, such as even lighting and image centering.
  4. Download your image. You are now ready to use the digital file as you like.

Guidelines and size requiements for a US visa

For successful US visa applications, it's vital to follow US visa photo requirements. Key criteria include a recent photo (taken within the last month) sized 2x2inch, a light and plain background, a neutral expression, and an unobstructed, full-face view, background color - White. Refrain from wearing glasses, headgear, or casting shadows, except for religious reasons. Abiding by these US visa photo requirements helps ensure a smooth application process.

The table below shows the official basic and main technical requirements:

2inch
2inch
1.29inch
1.18 inch
Layout, size and scale by indentation for the US visa

*Data from government agencies

US Green Card Photo — Size and Requirements

Here is a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of the general photo requirements. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or a first-time applicant, understanding these requirements is crucial to take passport or visa photos that are accepted on the first try.

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Technical requirements if you are going to process the photo yourself through Photoshop or other services:

Size

In the , a photo for photo must be 2x2 inch in size. Photographs that deviate from these requirements will not be considered and will have to be retaken by the applicant.

Color

Color photographs are a requirement for US Green Card submissions, helping in your clear identification by authorities. The background for these photos needs to be neutral, with a preference for white or a muted off-white.

Resolution and file size (in KB or MB)

It’s important that your US Green Card photograph is high-quality and clear, as this will make it easier for border officials to make it out and compare it to you. To that end, you should ensure that you use a resolution of no less than 300 DPI (dots per inch). Ideally, you should use a resolution of at least DPI, but between 300 and should be fine. Just remember, the clearer and more satisfactory your picture, the less likely your application is to be rejected; aim for a file size of between 1 MB and 15 MB.

Attire, clothing, dress code

When you take a picture for a US Green Card, there is a particular dress code you must adhere to. The main points of this dress code are that you must:

Wear normal, everyday clothes.

Avoid wearing uniforms or camouflage clothing.

Avoid head coverings or headgear.

Avoid eyeglasses, including both sunglasses and spectacles.

If you adhere to these simple instructions and ensure that your picture is well-lit and of a high quality, your photograph should be satisfactory.

Image definition parameters

It’s essential that the photo quality is satisfactory. Ensure your picture is clear and properly focused, free of blur or noise. You should also make sure that it isn’t visibly pixelated and that it has been printed onto either matte or glossy photographic paper, as opposed to plain printer paper.

Background, contrast, and shadows

An US Green Card picture must have both sufficient detail and high contrast. So, to ensure that your photograph is suitable, be sure to take it against a plain, neutral background, either white or off-white in color. This is important, as it helps you stand out in the picture. Additionally, be careful that there is no shadow in the photo, particularly any obscuring the face.

Example photos:

Below are examples of correct and incorrect photos

Examples of photos, how to correctly make a visa photo US

How to Take Your Own US Green Card Photo

If you don’t want to go through the trouble and expense of locating and hiring a professional photographer to take your picture, you can simply take your own from home. So long as you follow the below instructions carefully, you can capture the perfect visa photo yourself:

  • 1. Take a picture of yourself

    Open up the PhotoGov.com photo service and take your picture. Make sure you’re not wearing any headcovers or glasses, do not wear a uniform, and keep your expression neutral. Ensure that the area is well-lit and that you are standing against a neutral background.

    How to take selfies for a visa

    Clean background. More light. Not a blurry photo.
    Watch "How to take a photo" (00:46)

  • 2. Upload your photo to PhotoGov AI

    Next, upload your image and process it through our site.

    Upload your visa photo to PhotoGov
  • 3. Receive your Passport Photo

    Finally, you can download your ID photo. These images can be printed off, or you can simply use them as digital photos.

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US Green Card Photo-Making Tips

Body-camera distance

When taking a visa photograph, it's vital to encompass the person's upper torso and ensure that the head and hair are entirely visible, aiding in easy identification. The recommended camera placement is about 5-7 feet (1.5-2 meters) from the subject. Experiment with a few shots at varying lengths to ascertain the most suitable one.

Posture

The spotlight in a visa photograph is undeniably the face, but your overall posture holds significance. Stand tall and straight, but do so naturally and without stiffness. Your eyes should meet the camera lens directly, offering a lucid image of your facial features.

Lighting

Good lighting, free from shadows, is essential for your photograph. This ensures all facial details are visible and distinct. Pursue an environment where light falls equally from both sides and from the vantage points of front and back.

Can I Take My visa Picture at Home?

If you're up for the task, taking an impeccable visa photo from the convenience of your home is not a challenge. Follow the ensuing steps for success:

  • Respect the necessary attire guidelines.
  • Ensure ambient lighting is up to par.
  • Use a background that's neutral in color.

How to Take a US Green Card Photo Using a Phone

When your smartphone comes with an advanced camera, it's apt for procuring your visa picture. But keep in mind, selfies won't meet the criteria. Here's a methodical approach:

  • Get a friend or family member to take the shot.
  • They should keep a distance of 5-7 feet, focusing mainly on your upper half.
  • Alternatively, station a tripod around 5-7 feet away and finetune its position for the best possible capture.

How to Take US Green Card Photos for Babies and Kids

The task of obtaining visa photos for babies and children still falls under common guidelines; they need to comply with the dress code, and the shots should be crisp and well-lighted. Yet, it's acknowledged that the State Department is generally a tad more accommodating regarding the neutral face stipulation for the little ones.

If you are photographing a newborn:

Spread a white sheet out over the floor.

Place the baby down on the sheet and take their photograph against it.

For slightly older babies:

Prop them up in a child’s chair against a white sheet.

If they are still unable to hold up their head, prop it up for them using a hand behind the sheet. Ensure no one else is visible in the shot.

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Tools based on artificial intelligence

PhotoGov Features

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Crop

Our in-built cropping feature allows you to trim new visa photos and ensure that they don’t have uneven edges. This allows you to neaten up your picture and ensure it’s the proper size for your visa.

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Resize

You can also resize your picture as needed through PhotoGov, meaning that the end result will be a perfectly proportioned image that will fit just right into your visa. Additionally, you don’t need to worry about stretching or squishing the image and ruining the quality.

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Background removal

If you can’t find a neutral background against which you can take a satisfactory picture, don’t worry; we have a background removal tool that can help you achieve the same results.

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Auto-adjustment

With the click of a button, you can have our auto-adjustment tool immediately optimize your image to meet brightness, color, and contrast standards.

How Can I Convert My Photo to visa Size?

Image resizing can be done using various approaches, but our specialized visa photo platform - PhotoGov, shines above the rest. It's designed to give you a finely-tuned, appropriately dimensioned end picture, free from the issues of distortion or blurriness that might arise from excessive stretching or squeezing.

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Why Choose Us?

User-friendly interface

Sorting out your visa application is complicated and stressful enough without having to contend with confusing software. PhotoGov’s simple layout and user-friendly design will help streamline the process for you.

Wide editing functionality

With cropping, resizing, auto-adjustment, and background removal functions, PhotoGov makes getting a visa picture as easy as possible. Using our platform, you can ensure that your photograph meets all the necessary requirements with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Large selection of documents

As well as offering photographs for passports, we can also take care of ID, visa, citizenship, license, and work permit photos.

No Expensive Equipment

With our online passport photo service, you don't need any expensive photography equipment to get high-quality passport photos. All you need is a smartphone or digital camera and an internet connection, and you can upload your photo to our platform and have it processed in seconds.

No Need to Go to a Photo Studio

Our online service eliminates the need to visit a photo studio or photo booth to get your passport photos taken. This can save you time and money on travel, and means you can get your photos taken from the comfort of your own home or office.

No Specialized Skills Required

You don't need any specialized skills or knowledge to use our online passport photo service. Our platform uses advanced AI and machine learning algorithms to process your photo and ensure that it meets all official requirements. This means you don't need any experience with photo editing software or photo composition to get high-quality passport photos.

Where to Get a visa Photo

Pharmacies and drug stores

Well-known medicinal retail brands, namely Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, proffer immediate passport photo solutions in-store. Do anticipate a charge, with most services priced around the $15 mark.

Shipping centers

Shipping giants like UPS, FedEx, and adjacent shipping facilities also cater to passport photo needs, mirroring the services of typical drugstores. At a going rate of around $15, it stands as a worthy alternative if you're considering external providers for your passport imagery.

Post offices and other passport acceptance agents

It's customary for post offices and agencies of a similar function to be equipped for passport applications, which includes offering photographic sessions. Maintaining the price consistency as observed earlier, you can typically expect a fee around the $15 ballpark.

Retail stores

Retail venues frequently host areas meant for passport photo shoots, assuring quality pictures in line with norms. Even though each establishment might set its own rate, you can usually anticipate a decent pricing range.

More about US visa

FAQ

How many photos are required for a US Green Card application?

You only need to submit one photo with your US Green Card application, though you should make sure it is of good quality and that it meets all their specifications. Different documents may require you to provide a greater number of photographs, so you should always make sure to double-check exactly how many you need before filing an application.

Please note that you will still need to submit a photograph when applying for a visa renewal, even if your appearance has not changed much.

What are the usual visa photo prices?

If you want to get your photo taken at a pharmacy, shipping center, retailer, or other establishment with a photography booth, you can expect to be charged around $15. However, if you’re thinking about hiring a photographer to take your picture for you, prices will vary and will likely be considerably more expensive.

Is money a little tight these days? Remember that PhotoGov provides free professional photography services for passports and other documents. When you use our platform, you can also avoid the hassle of having to get your picture taken in person.

How do I make sure my visa picture meets official requirements?

The best way to ensure your picture is up to standard is to review the requirements laid out by the State Department carefully. If you like, you can also review a passport photo template to ensure that your head is correctly positioned and is a good distance from the camera.

Some of the most important requirements are as follows:

  • Wear a neutral expression.
  • Adhere to the dress code.
  • Ensure your picture is of high quality.
  • Do not edit your photo.

What is the recommended method for capturing a digital visa photo?

Ensuring an apt digital image for a US Green Card involves maintaining even light exposure, circumventing any shadowy effects, using a straightforward white or cream-colored backdrop, and clicking a sharp image with a relaxed demeanor. Online platforms stand ready to help in adapting and structuring the picture to satisfy given criteria.

How recent must my photo be?

Your current visage should be reflected accurately in the photo, implying it should have been taken within the last six months. Turning to out-of-date images can be a catalyst for application delays or even rejections.

Can a mobile app help create a correct photo ?

Using a mobile application designed for Passport and Visa photos is indeed a viable option.

How do I get a ready photo for my document using PhotoGov?

Navigate the PhotoGov portal to get your official document's photo ready. After going through the steps, remit the service's fee with your bank card. Soon after, you'll get a top-notch electronic photo in your email. PhotoGov stands by the compatibility and excellence of your image, ensuring it checks all boxes for document requisites. For documents that offer a photo service on the house, you're in for a free ride. Just drop your email, and swiftly, you'll have the final photo in your mailbox.

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