USCIS Is MakingPhotos Simpler

Old Three-QuarterStyle Photo

New PassportStyle Photo

✔

M-603 (07/04)

List of forms that require photos is on the back

Photos Must Be in Color

Washington, DC — In accordance with language specified in the BorderSecurity Act of 2003, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)today announced a change in the photo requirements for all applicants froma three-quarter face position to a standard, full-frontal face position to takeeffect August 2, 2004.

USCIS will accept both three-quarter and full-frontal color photographs untilSeptember 1, 2004, after which only full-frontal color will be accepted.

The application process of customers who have already submitted materialsthat include color photos with the three-quarter standard will not be affectedby this change.

All photos must be of just the person. Where more than one photo isrequired, all photos of the person must be identical. All photos must meetthe specifications for full-frontal/passport photos and must not be morethan 30 days old when an application is filed.

For more information on photo standards, visit the Department of Statewebsite at http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/pptphotos/index.html,or contact the USCIS National Customer Service Center at 1 800 375 5283.

Applications and Petitions That Require Photos, and the Number Required

2 photos are required for the following forms:

I-90 – Renew or replace your Permanent Resident Card (green card)

I-131 – Re-entry permit, refugee travel document, or advance parole

I-485 – Adjust status and become a permanent resident while in the U.S.

I-765 – Employment Authorization/Employment AuthorizationDocument (EAD)

I-777 – Replace Northern Mariana Card

I-821 – Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Program

N-300 – Declaration of Intent (to apply for U.S. citizenship)

N-400 – Naturalization (to become a U.S. citizen)

N-565 – Replace Naturalization/Citizenship Certificate

3 photos are required for the following forms:

I-698 – Temporary Resident’s application under the 1987 Legalization Programfor permanent resident status — file 1 photo for your application, and bring theother 2 with you to your interview

N-600K – To apply for U.S. citizenship for foreign-born child residing abroadwith U.S. citizen parent

4 photos are required for the following forms:

I-817 – To apply for Family Unity Benefits

I-881 – NACARA — suspension of deportation or special rule cancellation

File the following with your photos and of others as shown below:

I-129F – Fiancé(e) Petition — file with 1 photo of you + 1 photo of fiancé(e)

I-130 – Relative petition — if filing for your husband or wife, file with 1 photoof you + 1 photo of your husband or wife

I-589 – Asylum — file with 1 photo of you + 1 photo of each family memberlisted in Part A. II that you are including in your application

I-730 – Relative petition filed by a person granted Asylum or Refugee status —file with 1 photo of the family member for whom you are filing the I-730

I-914 – ‘T’ nonimmigrant status — file with 3 photos of you + 3 photos ofeach immediate family member for which you file an I-914A supplement

All photos must be of just the person. Where more than one photo is required, all photos ofthe person must be identical. All photos must meet the specifications for full-frontal/passportphotos and must be no more than 30 days old when you file your application.

For more information, visit our website at www.uscis.gov, or call ourcustomer service at 1 800 375 5283.

Guidelines for Producing High QualityPhotographs for U.S. Travel Documents

Technological advances have changed the way passport and visa photos may be taken and the way that the U.S. Department of State processes the photos. This brochure is to help photographers ensure that:

• Customers are accurately represented and

• Photos are free of common defects that cause delays

The brochure is designed to unfold into a small, wall-mountable poster, useful as a practical, professional reference. Please take the time to become familiar with the information provided. With your help producing good quality photos for U.S. passports and U.S. visas, the Department of State can process the applications efficiently. As a result, we will both have satisfied customers!

U.S. Passport & U.S. VisaU.S. Passport & U.S. VisaPhotographyPhotography

The Department of State travel information web site (http://travel.state.gov) contains further technical information on passport and visa photograph preparation requirements.

Proper Lighting ArrangementPosition light sources on both sides of subject to avoid shadows on face.

Use a light source to illuminate background behind subject to avoid shadows in background.

Camera/Subject PositionPlace camera approximately 4 ft (120 cm) from the subject.

Have camera at subject’s eye level.

Position subject facing the camera.

Photograph Print PropertiesProduce 2 inch x 2 inch (51 mm x 51 mm) color or black and white photo.

Print photo on thin paper or stock.

Ensure the print is clear and has a continuous tone quality.

Do not retouch or otherwise enhance or soften photo.

Successful U.S. passport and visa photography begins with careful setup and appropriate production methods.

Figure 1. Camera & Lighting Setup

Eye Level

Setup & Production Guidelines

Composition Checklist

Figure 2. Head Position & Placement

Well-Composed Photos

Frame subject with full face, front view, eyes open

Make sure photo presents full head from top of hair to bottom of chin; height of head should measure 1 inch to 13⁄8 inch (25 mm to 35 mm)

Center head within frame (see Figure 2. below)

Make sure eye level is between 11⁄8 inch to 13⁄8 inch (28 mm and 35 mm) from bottom of photo

Photograph subject against a plain white or off-white background

Position subject and lighting so that there are no distracting shadows on the face or background

Encourage subject to have a natural expression

7 Steps to Successful Photos

1 inch to 13⁄8 inch

2 inch

2 inch

11⁄8 inch to 13⁄8 inch

Brightness, Contrast, & Color• Brightness and contrast should be adjusted to present the subject and

background accurately

• Photos without proper contrast or color may obscure unique facial features

• Color should reproduce natural skin tones

• Fluorescent or other lighting with unbalanced color may cause unwanted color cast in the photo

• Appropriate filters can eliminate improper color balance

Photo Too Dark Correct Brightness

Contrast Too High Correct Contrast

Improper Color Natural Color

Head Position & Background• Head should be positioned directly facing the camera

• Photo should capture from slightly above top of hair to middle of chest

• Eyes should be open and looking at the camera

• Eyeglasses should be worn if normally used by the subject

• Glare on eyeglasses can usually be avoided with a slight upward or downward tilt of the head

• Background should be plain white or off-white

• Include headpieces if worn daily for religious purposes; they should not obscure or cast shadows on the eyes or any other part of the face

Glare on Glasses No Glare on Glasses

Background Not Plain Plain Background

Head Not Facing Camera Head Facing Camera

Exposure & Lighting• Over- or under-exposure may render the photo unusable

• Three-point balanced lighting is strongly recommended (see Figure 1.)

• Facial features should be clearly evident in the photo

• Lighting should be adjusted to avoid shadows on the face or background

• Diffuse sources of light, such as umbrella lights, are preferable to point sources

Shadows on Background Background Uniformly Illuminated

Shadows on Face Face Uniformly Illuminated

Over Exposed Correctly Exposed

Resolution & Printing Quality• High-resolution photography and printing are strongly recommended

• Both conventional and digital photography are acceptable, and conventional or digital printing methods may be used

• Resulting print should exhibit a continuous tone quality regardless of the print method used (dye sublimation, ink jet, laser, etc.)

• Digitally printed photos should be produced without discernible pixels or dot patterns

• Fine facial features should be discernible

• The entire face should be in focus

Low Quality: Visible Coarse Dot Pattern High Quality: No Visible Dot Pattern

Poorly Focused Properly Focused

Low Quality: Discernible Pixels High Quality: Non-Discernible Pixels