US Green Card (I-485 / I-90) Photo Online
Create an official 51×51mm photo checked against published United States government regulations. Includes automatic background replacement, an instant compliance check, and a 4×6 inch print sheet — free preview, $2.99 to unlock.
I-485 vs I-90: only I-485 needs submitted photos
Form I-485 requires two identical photos you submit with the application. Form I-90 requires no submitted photo at all — USCIS captures your biometrics photo at an Application Support Center.
USCIS photo reuse policy (12/12/2025)
USCIS no longer uses or reuses self-submitted photographs for identity documents; the photo printed on your Green Card is captured at the USCIS Application Support Center. The two prints you submit with Form I-485 are retained as part of your application record.
Official US Green Card (I-485 / I-90) Dimensions & Proportion
The government requires exact facial placement within the frame. Our alignment tool automatically measures your head height to ensure it falls strictly within the 50% to 69% allowable zone.
- • Target size: 51 × 51 mm (2.01″ × 2.01″)
- • Head height: 50% – 69% of total height
- • Resolution: At least 600×600 px @ 300 DPI
- • Background: Pure White (#ffffff)
Official Do's & Don'ts for US Green Card (I-485 / I-90)
Follow these core criteria when snapping your photo with your smartphone:
USCIS publishes no facial-expression requirement for the I-485 photo.
USCIS publishes no glasses rule for the I-485 photo.
USCIS publishes no clothing rule for the I-485 photo.
USCIS publishes no lighting rule for the I-485 photo.
Source: USCIS — Form I-485 Instructions (edition 09/18/26), item 1 Photographs ↗
Top Reasons US Green Card (I-485 / I-90) Photos Get Rejected
Government agencies reject thousands of passport and visa applications every week for these common mistakes:
- ✕Photos not printed on thin glossy paper, or mounted/retouched
- ✕Photos not 2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
- ✕Head height outside 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm)
- ✕Background not white to off-white
- ✕Signature on the back not in pencil or felt pen
Source: USCIS — Form I-485 Instructions (edition 09/18/26), item 1 Photographs ↗
Official requirements
- •Two identical color photographs, 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) each
- •Printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, unmounted and unretouched
- •Full face, frontal view on a plain white or off-white background
- •Head height between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from top of hair to bottom of chin
- •Taken recently — USCIS publishes no numeric recency window
- •Lightly print your name and A-Number (if any) on the back of each photo with pencil or felt pen
Official Authority Source: USCIS — Form I-485 Instructions (edition 09/18/26), item 1 Photographs ↗
Size specifications table
| Unit | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Millimeters | 51 mm | 51 mm |
| Inches | 2.01″ | 2.01″ |
| Pixels @ 300 DPI | 600 px | 600 px (minimum) |
How to Print Your US Green Card (I-485 / I-90) Photo for $0.35 at CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart
In-store passport photo desks charge up to $17.99 for two cut prints. Here is how you can use your IdPhoto Studio download to print for pennies:
- Unlock and download your print-ready 4×6 inch sheet containing multiple copies.
- Save the image to your phone or USB thumb drive.
- Visit any CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Boots, or local photo kiosk and select "4×6 Photo Print" (approx. $0.35–$0.50).
- Do not select the $16.99–$17.99 passport photo menu item — the 4×6 print paper is identical.
- Once printed, use scissors or a craft knife to trim along the clean outline guides.
Need detailed kiosk screen instructions? Read our step-by-step CVS & Walgreens photo print guide →
What our checker verifies
Every photo is checked against these parameters before you pay:
- • Resolution of at least 600×600px
- • Exact aspect ratio of 51:51 (±2%)
- • Head height between 50% and 69% of the photo
- • Eye line between 35% and 60% from the top
- • Full head and hair inside the frame boundary
- • The top of your head inside the frame — measured from your photo
- • Plain, shadowless background with correct color tone
These are the rules we can measure. Whether the authority accepts the photo is their decision — and if they reject a photo you bought from us, we refund it.
Frequently asked questions
How many photos do I need to send for Form I-485?
Two identical 2×2 inch color photographs, printed on thin glossy paper. Form I-90 requires no submitted photo.
Can I write my Alien Registration Number (A-Number) on the back of the photo?
Yes. USCIS instructs applicants to lightly print their name and A-Number (if any) on the back of each photo with a pencil or felt pen.
Source: USCIS — Form I-485 Instructions (edition 09/18/26), item 1 Photographs ↗
Other documents and specifications
Ready to create your US Green Card (I-485 / I-90) photo?
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