USCIS Photo Tool with Expert Check

If you are planning to apply for U.S. citizenship, this guide is for you. Knowing the citizenship application photo requirements will help you take the right photographs for any official documents so it is worth getting familiar with them before taking a photo and including it with your application. 

Applicants who live in the US don’t need to send 2(two) paper photographs because photos are taken at their biometrics appointment. Applicants who reside outside the United States must provide 2 (two) identical photographs that are in color and were taken recently. 

USCIS photo specifications

Let’s start off by saying that the USCIS photo is a US passport photo. The size and requirements are the same so you can use your passport photo or take a new one for your U.S. citizenship application as well as for your passport. 

It is good to have a picture like this in the database as it is a passport-style biometric photo, which means that pictures are specially made to be an easy way to recognize and identify the document holder. Read on to find out how to take the right photo for the application for U.S. citizenship.

USCIS photo size and dimensions

The photo required by the USCIS is a square aspect ratio where width equals height where the size is 2 x 2 inches (51mmx51mm). The head must be between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inch (22 mm to 35 mm) or 50% to 69% of the total height of the image from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. You don't have to worry about the size when using the USCIS photo editor. PhotoAiD photo creator will resize the picture, and make sure that the photo has the correct dimensions.

Other specifications regarding the USCIS 2x2 photos:

• has to be in color and in focus,
• taken against a plain light background,
• shows the current appearance of the applicant,
• no older than 6 months from the date of application,
• without shadows or patterns.

Remember, the photo has to meet the technical requirements for US passport photos.

Head position

The photo must be taken with a front facing view, directly facing the camera. In the picture the head should be clearly visible, including the hair, neck, and upper shoulders, and it is best to leave some space around the head. If you are not sure about the correct cropping, use the PhotoAiD cropper which ensures that the photo is properly resized according to official US document photo requirements.

Background

The background for USCIS photos should be light and uniform with a white color. However, if you can’t arrange for the background to be perfect, you can use our PhotoAiD site or app which removes the background and replaces it with the one required for the document. 

Facial expression

A neutral expression is the only appropriate way of posing, which means you can only slightly smile. Don't smile widely or show your teeth. Your mouth must be closed and your eyes must be open. Your face must be fully visible, so it is best to brush your hair back so that both sides of your face are easily seen. Keep your face straight, don't tilt it at all, as photos even having a slight profile are rejected immediately.

Makeup

When it comes to your face, your makeup should reflect your everyday look. Do not put a lot on your face before taking the USCIS photo because it will look unnatural and glossy. It should not mask your individual facial features such as moles, wrinkles, birthmarks, scars, etc. as well as tattoos. So any interference such as retouching or trying to change your features will cause the photo to be rejected. Use PhotoAiD photo editor instead. It will edit your picture without breaking the official rules and you will have a 100% guarantee of the photo being accepted.

Glasses 

You can't wear glasses in a passport photo. Sunglasses and tinted glasses are definitely not allowed. In exceptional circumstances you may wear glasses for medical purposes. This applies, for example, where the glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons, because the applicant has recently had eye surgery and the glasses are essential in order to protect the eyes. However, you must provide an appropriate statement from your doctor.

Clothing

There is no special dress code for USCIS photos. Only uniforms are forbidden and you cannot be wearing a uniform or military clothing in the photo. It is best to wear your everyday neat clothes, in which you will look elegant and professional. It is better to not choose eccentric styles and white shirts that may blend in with the background. 

Headwear

Hats, caps, berets, etc. are not allowed in photos for documents such as USCIS passport photos. The only exceptions are for medical or religious reasons, only then is headwear allowed in your passport photo as long as it does not cover your face. However, this will need to be confirmed with a statement from a leader in your religious community or a doctor. However, burqas or other headscarves which cover your face are not allowed. In this case the headscarf must be removed so that the oval of the face, chin and forehead are visible.

Lighting 

The light must illuminate both sides of the face. There must be no unwanted shadows in the photo, either on the face, neck or in the background. Make sure that the photo is not underexposed or overexposed and there must be a stark contrast between the background and the object.

Quality 

USCIS passport photos must be in color, in contrast and focused. They can't be blurry, grainy or pixelated. When submitting printed photos, you must ensure that they are not scratched, damaged and that there are no visible pixels after printing. Remember to print the pictures on matte or glossy high-quality photo paper. We recommend printing them at a photo lab as home printers often have a different quality, which may result in your photo being rejected.

USCIS Photo Tool Online

PhotoAiD, a reliable photo tool for USCIS photos, guarantees that your application photo will be accepted 100% of the time. Upload a self-portrait and leave the rest to our experts.

Our USCIS picture tool edits, resizes, and changes the background of your image to that required for USCIS photos: all that within minutes.

You can download our USCIS photo editor from the AppStore or Google Play store. It really is that simple!

Common mistakes while taking photos for the USCIS

Taking photos for documents is not a piece of cake, but we are here to help you with the process. Here are the most common mistakes you should avoid when taking USCIS photos:

• An overexposed or underexposed photo. The photo must be well-lit and not contain shadows.
• Submitting an old photograph - the photo can’t be older than 6 months.
• Not showing your true appearance - you have changed a lot since the photo was taken or you are wearing too much makeup.
• Bad quality − blurry, grainy or pixelated images.
• Wrong head position - your head in the frame is not between 1 and 1 3/8 inch and/or is tilted to the side.
• Uploading selfies – selfies are not allowed as they distort the natural proportions of the face and don’t really fit official documents.
• Looking sideways.
• Smiling - smiling in photos is nice but not appropriate for your passport or USCIS application photos, the face must be neutral and you must not show your teeth.
• Headwear covering the face − the face must be perfectly visible, and your hair or headwear must not cover any part of it.

Psst! Remember that if you opt to use our USCIS photo checker, you don't need to worry about the requirements. Our photo experts will check your USCIS photo and help you correct any mistakes.