CVS Passport Photos: Everything You Need to Know in 2026

CVS Pharmacy is one of America's go-to destinations for passport photos, with over **9,900 locations** nationwide. Their photo service is convenient and widely available—but at $16.99, is it worth the price?

Quick Summary:

**Price:** $16.99 for 2 printed photos

**Digital copy:** +$2.00 extra ($18.99 total)

**Wait time:** 10-20 minutes

**Hours:** Most locations 8 AM - 10 PM

**Verdict:** Very convenient but expensive—free AI alternatives save you $16+

CVS Passport Photo Pricing 2026

| Service | Price | |---------|-------| | **2 Passport Photos (Printed)** | $16.99 | | **Digital Copy Add-On** | +$2.00 | | **Extra Set (2 more photos)** | $16.99 | | **Total with Digital** | $18.99 |

How CVS Compares to Competitors

| Location | Price | Digital Included? | Availability | |----------|-------|-------------------|--------------| | **AI Visa Photo** | **Free** | ✅ Yes | 24/7 Online | | Costco | $5.99 | ❌ No | Members only | | Walmart | $7.44 | ❌ No | 4,700+ stores | | Rite Aid | $10.99 | ❌ No | Limited | | FedEx Office | $14.95 | ✅ Yes | Business hours | | USPS | $15.00 | ❌ No | Postal hours | | **CVS** | **$16.99** | ❌ +$2 | **9,900+ stores** | | Walgreens | $16.99 | ❌ +$2 | 8,900+ stores |

Bottom line: CVS is tied with Walgreens as the most expensive major option. Save **$16+** by using free AI tools.

How to Get Passport Photos at CVS

Step 1: Find a CVS with Photo Services

While most CVS locations offer photos, availability can vary:

1. Visit [CVS.com/store-locator](https://www.cvs.com/store-locator/store-locator-landing.jsp)

2. Enter your ZIP code

3. Look for "Photo" in services

4. Note the store hours

Pro Tip: CVS locations inside Target stores also offer passport photos!

Step 2: Visit the Photo Counter

Walk-In Process:

No appointment needed

Head directly to the photo department

Wait times vary (5-20 minutes depending on traffic)

Best times: weekday mornings, avoid lunch hours

Step 3: The Photo Session

1. **Inform the associate** you need a passport photo

2. **Stand against the backdrop** (typically white or blue)

3. **Remove glasses** (required since 2016)

4. **Follow positioning instructions** (face forward, neutral expression)

5. **Review the photo** on screen before approval

6. **Wait 10-15 minutes** for printing

7. **Pay at checkout** ($16.99 + tax, or $18.99 with digital)

Step 4: Collect Your Photos

You'll receive:

**2 printed photos** on photo paper (2x2 inch each)

**Digital file via email** (only if you paid the extra $2)

CVS Photo Center Hours

Standard CVS photo department hours:

| Day | Typical Hours | |-----|---------------| | Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM | | Saturday | 8:00 AM - 10:00 PM | | Sunday | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM |

Important Notes:

Photo services may end 30-60 minutes before store closing

24-hour CVS locations usually have limited photo hours (typically ending at 10 PM)

Holiday hours vary significantly—always call ahead

CVS inside Target: hours match Target photo department

24-Hour CVS Locations

CVS has 1,100+ 24-hour locations, but **most do NOT offer 24-hour photo services**:

What's Actually 24/7:

Pharmacy (at 24-hour locations)

Self-service photo kiosks (printing only)

General retail

What's NOT 24/7:

Passport photo service (staff required)

Digital photo assistance

Need photos late at night? Use [AI Visa Photo](/) online—available 24/7, then print at a kiosk tomorrow.

CVS Passport Photo Quality

What to Expect

Pros:

✅ Staff training on basic requirements

✅ Consistent equipment across locations

✅ White background standard

✅ Same-day service guaranteed

✅ Can request retakes before paying

Cons:

❌ Quality varies by individual staff member

❌ No AI verification for compliance

❌ May rush during busy periods

❌ Equipment quality varies by store age

❌ Digital copy costs extra

Common Quality Issues at CVS

Based on customer feedback:

| Issue | Frequency | Cause | |-------|-----------|-------| | **Shadows on face** | Common | Poor lighting setup | | **Head size wrong** | Occasional | Staff not checking specs | | **Background not white** | Rare | Some stores use blue | | **Red-eye** | Occasional | Flash issues | | **Expression too rigid** | Common | Staff instructions |

How to Get the Best Photo at CVS

1. **Visit during off-peak hours** (Tuesday-Thursday morning)

2. **Remove glasses beforehand** (not just sunglasses—ALL glasses since 2016)

3. **Wear solid, dark-colored clothing** (avoid white/patterns)

4. **Ask to see the photo** before approval

5. **Request retakes** if anything looks off

6. **Bring a printed spec sheet** if applying for a visa (requirements vary by country)

CVS Digital Passport Photos

Why the Digital Copy Matters

For **$2 extra** ($18.99 total), CVS will email you the digital file. You need digital photos for:

| Application | Format Required | |-------------|-----------------| | DS-160 (US Visa) | Digital upload | | DS-82 (Passport Renewal) | Digital upload | | USCIS Forms | Digital upload | | Global Entry / TSA PreCheck | Digital upload |

Important: If you're applying for anything online, you MUST have a digital copy. Paying the extra $2 at CVS is cheaper than returning for a second visit.

CVS Digital Photo Specifications

When you get the digital file from CVS:

**Resolution:** 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels

**Format:** JPEG

**File size:** Under 240KB (for DS-160)

**Delivery:** Email within 24 hours (usually same day)

CVS Passport Photo vs. DIY + Print

Here's the **smart way** to use CVS for passport photos:

Option 1: Full Service at CVS

**Cost:** $16.99-$18.99

**Time:** 30 minutes

**Convenience:** Walk in, walk out

Option 2: AI Visa Photo + CVS Print (Recommended)

**Cost:** ~$0.35 total

**Time:** 5 minutes at home + 5 minutes at CVS

**Savings:** $16.64

How Option 2 Works:

1. Take a selfie at home with your phone

2. Upload to [AI Visa Photo](/)

3. AI automatically adjusts sizing, background, brightness

4. Download the 4x6 print sheet

5. Print at CVS photo kiosk for $0.35

6. Cut out your 2x2 inch photos

Why Option 2 is Better:

**AI verification** catches compliance issues

**Unlimited retakes** included free

**Digital copy** included free

**$16+ savings**

CVS Self-Service Photo Kiosks

Most CVS locations have self-service photo kiosks where you can:

| Feature | Available | |---------|-----------| | Print photos from USB | ✅ Yes | | Print from phone (Bluetooth) | ✅ Yes | | Print from email | ✅ Yes | | Get passport photos taken | ❌ No (staff needed) | | Print existing passport photos | ✅ Yes |

How to Print AI Visa Photo Results at CVS

1. Download your photo from AI Visa Photo (4x6 format)

2. Save to your phone or USB drive

3. Go to CVS photo kiosk

4. Select "Print Photos"

5. Upload your 4x6 image

6. Print as 4x6 glossy ($0.35)

7. Cut to size at home

Total cost: Under $0.50 for compliant passport photos!

CVS Passport Photo Requirements

CVS photos should meet these US State Department standards:

| Requirement | Specification | |-------------|---------------| | **Size** | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) | | **Head height** | 1 to 1⅜ inches (25-35 mm) | | **Eye position** | 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches from bottom | | **Background** | White or off-white | | **Photo age** | Within last 6 months | | **Expression** | Neutral, mouth closed | | **Eyes** | Open and visible | | **Glasses** | NOT allowed (since 2016) | | **Head coverings** | NOT allowed (religious exception) |

CVS vs. Walgreens Passport Photos

Since CVS and Walgreens have identical pricing, here's how they compare:

| Feature | CVS | Walgreens | |---------|-----|-----------| | **Price** | $16.99 | $16.99 | | **Digital add-on** | +$2.00 | +$2.00 | | **Locations** | 9,900+ | 8,900+ | | **24-hour stores** | 1,100+ | 700+ | | **CVS/Target locations** | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | | **Quality** | Comparable | Comparable | | **Wait time** | 10-20 min | 10-20 min |

Verdict: Choose whichever is closer. The experience is virtually identical.

Better Alternatives to CVS Passport Photos

1. AI Visa Photo (Best Overall) ⭐

Price: Free to $4.99 | **Print:** ~$0.35 at any store

Why it's better:

✅ AI verifies all compliance requirements automatically

✅ Perfect white background guaranteed

✅ Digital file included FREE

✅ Available 24/7 from anywhere

✅ Unlimited retakes included

✅ Total cost under $1 (printing only)

[Try AI Visa Photo Free →](/)

2. Walmart Photo Center (Best Budget In-Store)

Price: $7.44 for 2 photos

Less than half the CVS price

4,700+ locations nationwide

Same-day service

No digital copy included

3. Costco Photo (Best for Members)

Price: $5.99 for 2 photos

Cheapest major retailer

Excellent photo quality

Requires $65/year membership

Not worth joining just for photos

4. FedEx Office

Price: $14.95 for 2 photos (digital included)

Includes digital copy (unlike CVS/Walgreens)

Professional equipment

Business-hour availability

Frequently Asked Questions

Does CVS take passport photos?

Yes! Most of CVS's 9,900+ US locations offer passport photo services. Use the CVS store locator to find a location near you with photo services.

How much is a passport photo at CVS in 2026?

CVS charges **$16.99** for two printed passport photos. A digital copy costs an additional **$2.00** (total $18.99).

How long do CVS passport photos take?

Total time: 15-30 minutes

Waiting for service: 5-15 minutes

Photo session: 2-5 minutes

Printing: 5-10 minutes

Does CVS do same-day passport photos?

Yes, all CVS passport photos are same-day. Photos are typically ready in 10-20 minutes.

Can I get a digital passport photo at CVS?

Yes, but it costs **$2 extra** ($18.99 total). The digital file is emailed to you. Note: AI Visa Photo provides digital files for **free**.

Is CVS passport photo good quality?

Quality varies by location and staff. Most CVS photos are acceptable, but there's no AI verification. For guaranteed compliance, use AI Visa Photo.

Can I print my own passport photo at CVS?

Yes! Use AI Visa Photo to create a compliant image, download the 4x6 print sheet, then print at a CVS photo kiosk for just **$0.35**.

Does CVS do 2x2 inch photos?

Yes, CVS passport photos are 2x2 inches (51x51 mm), meeting US passport and most visa requirements.

What if my CVS passport photo is rejected?

Return to CVS with the rejection notice. Most locations offer free retakes within a reasonable timeframe, but policies vary by store.

Can I get passport photos at CVS inside Target?

Yes! CVS Photo departments inside Target stores offer the same passport photo service at the same $16.99 price.

Does CVS offer passport photo appointments?

Most CVS locations are walk-in only for passport photos. Some may offer informal scheduling—call ahead to ask.

Save $16+ on Your Passport Photo

Don't overpay at CVS. Here's the smart approach:

| Method | Cost | Time | |--------|------|------| | CVS Full Service | $16.99-$18.99 | 30 min | | AI Visa Photo + CVS Print | ~$0.35 | 10 min | | **Savings** | **$16.64** | **20 min** |

How to Do It:

1. **Take a selfie** at home (white wall, good lighting)

2. **Upload to AI Visa Photo** (instant AI compliance check)

3. **Download the 4x6 print sheet** (FREE)

4. **Print at CVS kiosk** ($0.35)

5. **Cut to 2x2 inch size** at home

Result: Government-compliant passport photo for under $1, in less than 10 minutes.

[**Create Your Free Passport Photo Now →**](/)

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*Last updated: April 2026 | Prices verified at CVS.com. AI Visa Photo - Professional passport photos, done right.*