Applying for a Green card can be a momentous event in your life. So make sure you know that you’ll get approval from the US government. Usually, it comes down to the Green card photo, and there are a lot of requirements. Start here to find out the best practices for approval and how to check your photo for a Green card.
Why Check a Photo for a Green Card?
If you’ve started a Green card application, it’s really important that you understand all the surrounding facts. Especially when you’re thinking about getting a photo for a Green card.
This is because the photo is a vital part of the Green card application. If that photo is not compliant with US government regulations, your application will likely be rejected.
One of the ways you can make sure you’ve got a compliant photo is to check the photo for your Green card application. You can do this through these ways:
- Green card photo checker
- Compare your photo to the requirements
- Use ‘Smartphone iD’ to check photo for a Green card
In fact, the ‘Smartphone iD’ app can be the simplest way to check your photo for a Green card. This is because the whole process is bundled in to one application. We use artificial intelligence as well as our in-house experts to certify your Green card photos.
No wonder governments approve our photos. If not, we’ll give you a full refund.
How to Check a Photo for a Green Card Online?
These two main methods are great ways to make sure your Green card photo is compliant with the US government’s Green card photo requirements.
1. Green Card Photo Tool
If you’ve not got much of an idea on how to get the right Green card photo, you should check out the Department of State’s online photo tool.
Using the tool, you can find out what the requirements are for a Green card photo by looking at examples the United States government have provided.
Here’s how to use the tool in just 6 steps:
- Navigate to the website online: Department of State’s Photo Tool
- Upload a photo by clicking the ‘Choose New Photo’ button at the bottom of the page
- Click through the headings (Size and Position, Pose and Expression etc.) to learn what your photo should look like
- The photo tool will automatically crop your Diversity Visa photo
- Click ‘Accept & Proceed’ when you’re ready to continue
- Click ‘Download image to your device’ to get a digital copy of your cropped photo
This is a great, official source of information for how to get your Green card photo right. You can learn about the requirements with examples on compliant photos.
Though, the Department of State’s photo tool doesn’t check your photo to see whether it’s compliant, so read below to find out how to do that.
Equally, if you want an all-in-one service for fully compliant Green card photos, check out ‘Smartphone iD’.
Scroll to the bottom to find out more!
2. Green Card Photo Checker
This is a really handy way to check a photo for a Green card, just follow the steps:
- Navigate to the website: DV Lottery Photo Checker (you get a Green card if you win the DV lottery)
- Upload the Green card photo you want to check
- Check or uncheck the additional options, whether you need head tilt, background or contrast fixed
- Click ‘Upload photo & Continue’
- Get a formatted photo with the specifications listed
- Click ‘Continue to Download’
- It costs $7.89 USD to download your photos without watermarks
Just to let you know… There’s a cheaper solution. It’s called ‘Smartphone iD’. You can get a digital, expert-approved Green card photo for a cheap price!
Green Card Photo Requirements
If you think you’ve got what it takes to capture your own compliant Green card photos, consider all the points below to improve your chance of a successful application.
Photo Quality:
- If you take your own photo, the photo must be sharp with no visible pixels or printing errors.
Your Appearance:
- Ensure your face is entirely visible in the photo
- No deep shadows or glaring lights should obscure your face
- Head coverings and hats are forbidden except for medical or religious reasons
Your Posture:
- Keep a neutral expression for the photo
- Face the camera directly on and center yourself in the frame
- Make sure your eyes are clearly visible
Remember that you need to comply with every single requirement or your Green card photo will not be acceptable to the United States government.
What is the Photo Size for the Green Card Lottery?
There is quite a lot of information to digest, concerning the sizing of the Green card photo. But if you follow all of the guidance, you’re likely to make a successful application for a Green card.
For a US Green card photo, these are the size requirements:
- A Green card photo must be 2 inches x 2 inches in size
- In the Green card photo, your head must be centred and between 1 inch and 1.4 inches in size
If you’re using the online application upload service:
- The photo must be in JPEG (.jpg) format
- Your photo file size must be equal to or less than 240 kilobytes
- The photo must be in a square aspect ratio, so the height and width are the same
- Your photo must be 600×600 pixels in dimension
If you scan a physical photo for online upload:
- Your photo must be 2 inches x 2 inches
- Make sure the scan resolution is 300 pixels per inch (ppi) or 12 pixels per millimeter
Don’t worry if you’re feel overwhelmed by all this. There are lots of tools and apps that can help you. Check out our comparisons below.
Green Card Photo App (Free & Affordable Price)
Whether you’re just researching about Green cards and the Diversity Visa lottery, or starting to make your application, these apps can help in taking your Green card photo. So which is the best one?
Free
- DV Lottery Photo Tool: A simple photo tool for taking Green card photos. No background removal or expert certification.
Affordable Price
- Smartphone iD: Background removal, two-step verification (artificial intelligence, biometric experts), secure service with full support. Refund guarantee.
- IVisa Photos: Uses algorthmic checks for your photo and alerts you to problems.
- PhotoAiD: Background removal and a photo check for your Green card photo.
In this potentially life-changing application, make sure you pick the right method for you. There are definitely benefits to using an app rather than going for an in-store appointment, especially when it comes to cost.
If you choose ‘Smartphone iD’, we’ll give you a value-for-money and expert certified service.
Where to Get Photos for a Green Card Near Me?
If you want a face-to-face Green card photo service, your best bet will be to contact large convenience stores or pharmacies. However, certain stores only provide photo services in select locations.
To avoid disappointment, contact the store or find information on their website about which locations provide photo services.
Here are a few places that offer a Green card photo service:
- Walmart
- UPS
- Bartell’s
- Staples
- Walgreens
- CVS
All of these places have varying prices, from about $7 all the way to $20 for Green card photos. Bear in mind that these will not be digital photos which are necessary for certain documents (online Green card application).
Not got time to make it for a photo before closing hours?
Check out ‘Smartphone iD’. More information below.
Take Your Green Card Photo With Your Phone (Photo Checked)
Drop the hassle when you’re going for a Green card photo. There’s no need to get stuck in traffic, you can take pre-approved Green card photos from the comfort of your home.
Here’s how:
- Download ‘Smartphone iD’ on compatible phones, available on iOS and Android
- Take a photo using the app, ‘Smartphone iD’ will guide you through the process
- Select which country you want to produce a photo for
- Select which document type you want the photo for (Passport, driving license, visa etc.)
- Receive photos digitally via email, once our biometrics experts approve them
- Use these digital copies to print them yourself. Or, you can use our printing service, to make it even easier
We can offer you all this for a cheap price, which includes unlimited use of your digital photos. So if you need to apply for other documentation, you’re sorted!
Summary
Whilst there are plenty of apps out there to choose from, getting a professional service will make the difference when you apply for a Green card. You can be sure that ‘Smartphone iD‘ fully complies with US government photo requirements.
FAQ
How many photos are required for a Green card?
Depending on the type of application and whether you get an interview, the amount with vary:
- Form DS-260: Provide two identical compliant photos at the interview. They must be on photographic paper.
- Form DS-160 or Form DS-1648: You must provide a digitally uploaded, compliant photo to your application.
- Diversity Visa Program: You must upload your compliant photo to your application.
- See the size requirements above to find out more information.
Can I wear earrings for a Green card photo?
You cannot wear earrings for your Green card photo.
Is a Green card photo the same as a Passport photo?
In general guidelines and requirements, the United States Green card photo is the same as a Passport photo.
Can I edit a photo for the DV lottery?
You can. However, you must make sure it is compliant with the United States government’s requirements.
Including: You cannot
- Digitally remove ‘red eye’ from a photo
- Remove the background in a way that alters the outline of your portrait
- Change the aspect ratio of the photo
How long does it take to approve PR photo?
PR photo processing times can be up to 105 days.
Is a DV photo the same as a Green card photo?
Yes, the Diversity Visa lottery is the process for gaining a Green card. So your photo for your DV lottery application is the same photo that will be on your Green card.
