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Form I-130 photo requirements

Form I-130 photo: size and rules

As of November 3, 2026, a Form I-130 spouse petition needs two 2 x 2 inch color photos each of the petitioner and the spouse, taken within 30 days, on a white to off-white background (per uscis.gov, checked on Nov 3, 2026).

USCIS asks for photos with Form I-130 only in a spouse petition: two of the petitioner and two of the spouse beneficiary if the spouse is in the United States.

Photos for a Form I-130 spouse petition must be taken within 30 days of filing.

Updated Rules checked against uscis.govHow we check

Measured drawing: Form I-130 photo2 in2 in1 3/8 in1 inchin1.2 in, our target
Form I-130 photo. Printed size 2 x 2 in. Head 1 to 1 3/8 in, measured from the chin to the top of the hair. The coral dot is where our tool places the top of the head (60% of the height).

Form I-130 photo at a glance

Printed size
2 x 2 inuscis.gov
Head height
1 to 1 3/8 inuscis.gov
Background
White to off-whiteuscis.gov
Prints needed
2 identical photosuscis.gov

Questions people ask

What size are the photos for Form I-130?

2 x 2 inches, in color, full face and frontal, on a white to off-white background. The head measures 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the top of the hair to the chin, and the eyes sit 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches up from the bottom edge.

Print them on thin glossy paper, unmounted and unretouched, and write your name and A-Number lightly on the back.

Source: uscis.gov

Who needs photos for Form I-130, and how recent?

In a spouse petition: two photos of you, the petitioner, and two of your spouse if your spouse is in the United States.

The photos must be taken within 30 days of filing, so take them close to the date you mail the petition.

Source: uscis.gov

Every rule, with its source

Size and head position

  • USCIS asks for Form I-130 photos that are 2 by 2 inches and show the full face in a frontal view. uscis.gov
  • The Form I-130 instructions want the head 1 to 1 3/8 inches tall, from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin. uscis.gov
  • The eye line in a Form I-130 photo sits 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches above the bottom edge of the photo. uscis.gov

Background

  • Photos sent with Form I-130 need a white to off-white background. uscis.gov

Glasses, head coverings and clothing

  • A bare head is the rule in Form I-130 photos; headwear is allowed only when the applicant’s religious denomination requires it. uscis.gov

How recent

  • Photos for a Form I-130 spouse petition must be taken within 30 days of filing. uscis.gov

Editing and filters

  • USCIS wants Form I-130 photos printed on thin paper with a glossy finish, unmounted and unretouched. uscis.gov

Printed photo

  • A spouse petition on Form I-130 includes two identical color passport-style photos of the petitioner and two of the spouse, if the spouse is in the U.S. uscis.gov
  • Before mailing, write the name and A-Number, if there is one, lightly on the back of each Form I-130 photo with a pencil or felt pen. uscis.gov

Where photos come from

  • USCIS asks for photos with Form I-130 only in a spouse petition: two of the petitioner and two of the spouse beneficiary if the spouse is in the United States. uscis.gov

FAQ

Do I need photos for Form I-130?

Only for a spouse petition: two identical color passport-style photos of you and two of your spouse, if your spouse is in the United States, taken within 30 days of filing. Source: official page "Instructions for Form I-130 (edition 04/01/24) › Photographs", checked on Nov 3, 2026.

How recent must I-130 photos be?

Taken within 30 days of filing the petition. Source: official page "Instructions for Form I-130 (edition 04/01/24) › Photographs", checked on Nov 3, 2026.

Is SelfieToPassport U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services?

No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or any other government agency. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services publishes the photo rules for free at uscis.gov; this page links to each one.

Does SelfieToPassport replace the background of a Form I-130 photo?

For U.S. documents we crop and resize your original photo. We do not replace the background: the State Department lists photos with a background cut out by software as unacceptable.

Ready? Free preview with the measurements drawn on your photo; $6.95 for the digital file and both print sheets.

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Where this information comes from

Every rule on this page comes from a page published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.

Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.