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United States Green Card Photo Maker

Upload any photo — the tool removes your existing background, drops in the plain white or off-white background required for United States green card, and produces a spec-exact 51×51mm image ready to submit.

Drop your photo here
or click anywhere in this box to choose a photo

JPG, PNG, or HEIC · Max 10 MB on Free · Face forward, eyes on the camera.

100% private — deleted after processing No sign-up to preview Spec-exact 51×51mm output

How to make a United States green card photo in 3 steps

Upload any photo of yourself, and the tool handles the entire United States green card spec pipeline — background removal, colour swap, spec-exact crop, file-size compression — in one pass.

1

Upload any photo of yourself

Use your phone or webcam against any background — a plain wall, a cluttered room, an office. The tool segments you from whatever is behind you, so you don't need a plain white or off-white backdrop before shooting.

2

Background is removed and replaced

The AI detects your face and body, removes the original background, and composites you onto the plain white or off-white required for United States green card applications. Hair and clothing edges are preserved.

3

Auto-crop to 51×51mm and download

Your face is auto-positioned within the 51×51mm frame at 300 DPI, and the output JPEG stays under 240 KB. Drag the crop box to fine-tune the position if needed.

Understanding the United States green card spec

USCIS requires a 2×2 inch photograph — 600×600 pixels at 300 DPI — on a plain white or off-white background, taken within the last six months, with the head measuring 1 to 1-3/8 inches (25-35mm) from chin to the top of the head. One USCIS rule differs from the State Department: glasses are normally refused, but USCIS will accept them if you supply a signed medical statement explaining why they cannot be removed. Where printed photos are filed, write your name and A-number lightly in pencil on the reverse of each one so they can be matched to your file if they separate.

Dimensions
51×51 mm
2.0 × 2.0 in
Resolution
300 DPI
Print-ready
Background
plain white or off-white
AI-swapped
Head height
25–35 mm
Chin to crown

Requirements at a glance

  • 2x2 inches (600x600 pixels at 300 DPI)
  • Plain white or off-white background
  • Colour, taken within the last 6 months
  • Head 1 to 1-3/8 inches (25-35mm) from chin to top of head
  • Neutral expression, both eyes open
  • No glasses (unless a signed medical statement is provided)

Common mistakes that get photos rejected

  • Using an old photo — USCIS requires it taken within 6 months
  • Wearing glasses without a medical waiver
  • Head too small in the frame
  • Coloured or textured background

Where United States green card photos are actually used

The 2×2 inch format is shared right across US immigration paperwork, so a single compliant photo covers I-485, I-90, I-765, I-131 and N-400 filings, as well as a US passport application. It is also the format Saudi Arabia, India and the Philippines use, which is useful if you are filing a family application across borders. The six-month recency rule is the one people fall foul of when reusing a photo — a photo that was fine for a filing last year is not acceptable for a new one, even if your appearance has not changed.

Applications that accept this photo spec

  • Form I-485, Adjustment of Status
  • Form I-90, Green Card renewal or replacement
  • DS-260 immigrant visa applications through consular processing
  • Form I-765, Employment Authorization Document
  • Form I-131, travel document and re-entry permit applications
  • Form I-751, removing conditions on residence

United States green card photo FAQ

Can I wear glasses in a USCIS photo?

Normally no. USCIS is slightly more flexible than the State Department, though: glasses are accepted if you provide a signed medical statement explaining that they cannot be removed for medical reasons. Without that statement, remove them.

How many photos does an I-485 need?

Two identical photographs are the usual requirement for paper filings. Write your name and A-number lightly in pencil on the back of each so they can be reattached to your file. Always check the current form instructions, since photo counts differ between USCIS forms.

Can I reuse an older photo?

No. It must have been taken within the last six months. USCIS applies this per filing, so a photo accepted on an earlier application cannot be reused on a new one once six months have passed.

What size is a United States green card photo?

51×51mm (2.0×2.0 inches) at 300 DPI, on a plain white or off-white background. The head must measure 25-35mm from chin to the top of the head.

What background color does United States require for green card photos?

Plain white or off-white. Photos on the wrong background — cream, beige, colored, or textured — are the most common reason for rejection. This tool automatically replaces your background with the correct one.

Can I take a United States green card photo with my phone?

Yes. Modern phone cameras produce more than enough resolution for the 51×51mm output. What matters is even lighting (no harsh shadows on your face), a straight-on angle, and a neutral expression. This tool handles the background and sizing.

What file size does this tool produce?

The output JPEG is kept under 240 KB while preserving the 300 DPI resolution the spec requires. Upload limits vary between government portals and consulates, so check the one you are filing through — if it caps lower, use our Image Compressor to reduce further.

Is my uploaded photo saved on your servers?

No. Your photo is processed in memory and never stored on disk. The AI background removal runs server-side (the model is too large for a browser), but the input image is discarded immediately after processing. Nothing is logged, saved, or shared.

Can I print the United States green card photo at home?

Yes. The output is a 300 DPI JPEG at exactly 51×51mm, so any inkjet or laser printer produces the correct physical size when you print at 100% scale (not "fit to page"). Use the 4×6 print sheet option to get multiple copies on one sheet of photo paper.

Do I need to sign up or pay?

No sign-up required for basic use. Guests get 2 photos per day; free accounts get 3 per day. For higher volume, Pro plans unlock unlimited photos.

What if the background removal is not perfect?

The AI handles hair, clothing edges, and skin tones well for the vast majority of photos. If you see an edge artifact, try re-uploading with better lighting — indirect natural light from a window works best. You can also skip the background swap and crop only.
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