USCIS new Photo Policy Effective Dec 12, 2025

To ensure photos are recent, accurate, and reliable, USCIS has issued new guidance affecting foreign nationals who file USCIS forms and need a photo used to create an immigration document. 

• Effective immediately, USCIS will only use photos that were taken within three years of the date the form is filed.
• Self-submitted photos are no longer accepted for this purpose. Instead, only photos taken by USCIS or other authorized entities will be used. 

Certain forms will require a new photo regardless of when the applicant’s or petitioner’s last photograph was taken, including:

• Form I-90 – Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card  
• Form I-485 – Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status  
• Form N-400 – Application for Naturalization  
• Form N-600 – Application for Certificate of Citizenship

 COVID-era flexibilities had allowed reuse of photos for up to 10 years, even when a person’s appearance changed significantly, and that this reduced USCIS’s ability to verify identity and properly screen applicants. The agency says the new policy aligns with DHS priorities to modernize screening and vetting and address vulnerabilities in identity documents. 

• Photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches (600 pixels x 600 pixels)
• Image pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the height must be equal to the width). Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 pixels (width) x 600 pixels (height). Maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 pixels (width) x 1200 pixels (height).
• Photo must be sharp and in focus. It should not be grainy, pixelated, or have visible printer dots. 
• Avoid scanning or taking a picture of a printed photo since this may lower printer quality. 
• Select the highest quality resolution.
• Sending an image by text will lower the resolution quality. 

• Stand several feet away.  Leave a little extra room around your face.  You can crop your photo when you upload it. 
• Background needs to be solid white with no shadows, texture, or lines.  
• The full head and the shoulders should be visible.  The top of the hair must be clearly visible. 
• The bottom of the photo should include the edge of your shoulders near where they connect to your arms.  
• Center the head within the frame.  Face the camera directly and look straight ahead into the camera.  

• The top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin must be between 50% and 69% of the image's total height. 
• The height of the head (top of hair to bottom of chin) should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm - 35 mm)
• The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the image's height.
• 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

• Lighting should be even without shadows on the face and on the background. 
• Lighting must be balanced.   One side of the face cannot be bright while the other side has shadows.  

• Face the camera with a neutral facial expression. 
• Eyes must be fully open and looking into the camera. 
• The head should not be tilted. 
• Avoid showing your teeth. 
• Make sure your eyes are not obstructed or covered by any hair. 

• Do not use any kind of filter or retouching tools to change your appearance. 
• Do not edit in a graphic design software program.  
• Do not use artificial intelligence or other digital tools. 
• The outline of the head, face, and neck will be unacceptable if edited. 

• The full face must be visible with no shadows or clothing that blocks the face.
• For religious purposes, you may wear head coverings.  
• Remove any eyeglasses.  
• Remove any employee ID badge or lanyard. 
• Remove any scarf or hat.  Nothing can block any portion of your face.