Citizenship and Immigration Service Color Photograph Specifications Click for a Printable Version of this Article U.S. IMMIGRATION & NATURALIZATION SERVICE COLOR PHOTOGRAPH SPECIFICATIONS from Immigration & Naturalization Service Form M-378 (6-92) THE PICTURE AT LEFT IS IDEAL COLOR, BACKGROUND, AND POSE.  THE IMAGE SHOULD BE 30MM (1 3/16 IN) FROM THE HAIR TO JUST BELOW THE CHIN, AND 26MM (1 IN) FROM LEFT CHEEK TO RIGHT EAR. THE PHOTOGRAPH THE OVERALL SIZE OF THE PICTURE, INCLUDING THE BACKGROUND, MUST BE AT LEAST 40MM (1 9/16 INCHES) IN HEIGHT BY 35MM (1 3/8IN) IN WIDTH. PHOTOS MUST BE FREE OF SHADOWS AND CONTAIN NOM ARKS, SPLOTCHES, OR DISCOLORATIONS. PHOTOS SHOULD BE OF HIGH QUALITY, WITH GOOD BACK LIGHTING OR WRAP AROUND LIGHTING, AND MUST HAVE A WHITE OR OFF-WHITE BACKGROUND. PHOTOS MUST BE A GLOSSY OR MATTE FINISH AND UN-RETOUCHED. POLAROID FILM HYBRID #5 IS ACCEPTABLE; HOWEVER SX-70 TYPE FILM OR ANY OTHER INSTANT PROCESSING TYPE FILM IS UNACCEPTABLE.  NON-PEEL APART FILMS ARE EASILY RECOGNIZED BECAUSE THE BACK OF THE FILM IS BLACK.  ACCEPTABLE INSTANT COLOR FILM HAS A GRAY-TONED BACKING.  THE IMAGE OF THE PERSON THE DIMENSIONS OF THE IMAGE SHOULD BE 30MM (1 3/16 INCHES) FROM THE HAIR TO THE NECK JUST BELOW THE CHIN, AND 26MM (1 INCH) FROM THE RIGHT EAR TO THE LEFT CHEEK.  IMAGE CANNOT EXCEED 32MM BY 28MM (1 1/4IN X 1 1/16IN). IF THE IMAGE AREA ON THE PHOTOGRAPH IS TOO LARGE OR TOO SMALL, THE PHOTO CANNOT BE USED. PHOTOGRAPHS MUST SHOW THE ENTIRE FACE OF THE PERSON IN A 3/4 VIEW SHOWING THE RIGHT EAR AND LEFT EYE. FACIAL FEATURES MUST BE IDENTIFIABLE. CONTRAST BETWEEN THE IMAGE AND BACKGROUND IS ESSENTIAL.  PHOTOS FOR VERY LIGHT SKINNED PEOPLE SHOULD BE SLIGHTLY UNDER-EXPOSED.   PHOTOS FOR VERY DARK SKINNED PEOPLE SHOULD BE SLIGHTLY OVER-EXPOSED.   SAMPLES OF UNACCEPTABLE PHOTOGRAPHS   The contents of these web pages are provided for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice for specific cases, which should only be obtained from an attorney. Copyright © 2002 True, Walsh & Miller, LLP. Attorneys at Law The Commons, 202 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850 phone: 607-273-4200, fax: 607-272-6694, E-mail: twm@twmlaw.com