Free USCIS 2x2 inch Photo Checker – Requirements, Size & Online Tool
Take a photo with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here for compliance checking that instantly verifies it meets official government requirements for USCIS 2x2 inch photo. Get print-ready results in seconds – 100% online.
- Automatic size verification and background color validation
- Head positioning analysis with instant results in seconds
- Print-ready photo generation in multiple formats (JPG and 4x6 print layout)
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USCIS 2x2 inch Requirements Overview
Learn about USCIS 2x2 inch photo requirements for United States. The required photo size is width: 2in, height: 2in. Photos must have a white background. Specific head positioning requirements apply. These photos are suitable for printing. Photos can be used for online applications. Please make sure that your forehead is not covered with your hair. Your photo must be lit well.
Official Documentation:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.htmlOfficial USCIS Immigration Photo Requirements
Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) • Last updated: 11/29/2025
Photo Requirements Guide
What Makes a Good Photo
Correct USCIS Photo Composition
- •2x2 inch square format
- •Head 1-1⅜ inches (50-69% of frame)
- •Eyes 1⅛-1⅜ inches from bottom
- •Neutral expression, mouth closed
- •Plain white background
Digital Upload Standards
- •600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels
- •JPEG format preferred
- •54-240 KB file size
- •Recent photo (within 30 days for I-485)
- •High resolution, clear focus
Common Photo Problems
Photo Violations
- •Any eyeglasses (even prescription)
- •Colored or textured backgrounds
- •Photos older than 6 months
- •Shadows on face or background
- •Digital alterations or filters
Head Position Issues
- •Head size less than 50% or more than 69% of frame
- •Profile or angled shots
- •Hair covering forehead excessively
- •Eyes positioned incorrectly
- •Non-neutral expressions
💡 Note: For official photo examples and additional requirements, visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation:
Photo Specifications
- Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
- Recent photo (within 6 months, 30 days for I-485)
- Color photo required
- Resolution: 600 DPI minimum
- File size: 54-240 KB for digital uploads
Digital Requirements
- JPEG or PNG format accepted
- Square aspect ratio (600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels)
- High-quality, clear focus
- No visible pixels or digital artifacts
- Printed on photo-quality paper if submitting physical copies
Facial Requirements
- Head size: 1-1⅜ inches (25-35mm) chin to crown
- Face must fill 50-69% of image height
- Eye height: 1⅛-1⅜ inches from bottom
- Directly facing camera
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- Both eyes open and clearly visible
Background and Lighting
- Plain white or off-white background only
- No patterns, textures, or shadows
- Even lighting across face
- No flash reflections
- Good contrast between subject and background
Clothing and Accessories
- No eyeglasses allowed (even for medical reasons)
- No hats or head coverings (religious exceptions rare)
- Normal everyday clothing
- No uniforms unless worn daily for religious reasons
- Ensure forehead is not covered by hair
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Wearing any type of eyeglasses
- Using photos older than 6 months
- Incorrect head size (not 50-69% of frame)
- Poor lighting or shadows on face
- Non-white background colors
- Digital editing or filters applied
- File size outside 54-240 KB range for digital submissions
Official documentation:
How We Check Your USCIS 2x2 inch
- Upload your photo — we analyze it against official USCIS 2x2 inch requirements.
- If something doesn’t meet the rules, our AI fixes it automatically in seconds.
- Download a compliant digital photo or a print-ready 4×6 sheet accepted by photo labs.
What We Check for Compliance
| Official Requirement | How IDPhotoNow Handles It |
|---|---|
| Head size, position & proportions | ✅ AI measurement and alignment checks |
| Eye level and visibility | ✅ Automatic eye-line verification |
| Background color & cleanliness | ✅ Shadow removal and background normalization |
| File size, resolution & DPI | ✅ Output optimized to official limits |
| Print-ready photo layout | ✅ One-click 4×6 print sheet generation |
All checks are based on published government photo requirements.
Try the Free USCIS 2x2 inch Photo Checker
Upload your photo and see if it meets official requirements. Preview is free — no signup required.
Document Requirements
| Name | USCIS 2x2 inch |
| Country | United States |
| Document Type | Visa |
| Size | Width: 2in, Height: 2in |
| Resolution (Dpi) | 600 |
| Required Size In Kilobytes | From: 0 to: 240 |
| Image Definition Parameters | Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. Make sure the eye height is between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. |
| Background Color | |
| Printable? | Yes |
| Suitable For Online Submission? | Yes |
| Web Links To Official Documents |
Frequently Asked Questions About Passport & Visa Photos
Everything you need to know about passport and visa photos
Width: 2in, Height: 2in
Absolutely. With IDPhotoNow, you can take a compliant passport photo right from your phone.
It depends on the requirement. For online submissions, we offer JPG/PNG files. For printed photos, we provide ready-to-print 4x6 print layouts.
We provide a ready-to-print 4×6 inch layout with the correct photo size. You can print it at home or at a store using standard photo paper. ⚠️ Be sure to select "Actual Size" or "100% scale" when printing. Do NOT use "Fit to Page" or "Scale to Fit", as this may distort the size.
It depends on the document and country. Many passport rules require glasses to be removed, but some ID types may allow them if eyes are fully visible.
You can use scissors to carefully cut along the edges of the photo in the printed layout. We place the photo on standard 4×6 inch paper with correct dimensions, so you just need to follow the outlines. For best results, use a ruler or paper cutter for clean edges.
To take a passport photo of a baby or young child, lay them on a plain white sheet or blanket in a well-lit area. Make sure there are no shadows and the child’s face is clearly visible, with eyes open and mouth closed if possible. Avoid using props or having others in the frame. We’ll handle the background and sizing — just upload a clear photo following these tips.