Walgreens Passport Photos 2026: Complete Price, Hours & Quality Guide

Walgreens Passport Photos: Everything You Need to Know

Walgreens is one of the most popular destinations for passport photos, with over **8,900 locations** across the United States. Their photo services are convenient, same-day, and available at most stores—but is it the best option for your passport or visa photo?

Quick Summary:

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

**Digital copy:** +$2.00 extra

**Wait time:** 10-20 minutes

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

**Verdict:** Convenient but expensive—better alternatives exist

Walgreens Passport Photo Pricing 2026

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

Price Comparison with Competitors

| Location | Price | Digital Included? | |----------|-------|-------------------| | AI Visa Photo | **Free** | ✅ Yes | | Costco | $5.99 | ❌ No | | Walmart | $7.44 | ❌ No | | Rite Aid | $10.99 | ❌ No | | USPS | $15.00 | ❌ No | | FedEx Office | $14.95 | ✅ Yes | | **Walgreens** | **$16.99** | ❌ +$2 | | CVS | $16.99 | ❌ +$2 |

Bottom line: Walgreens is among the most expensive options. You can save **$10-17** by using free AI alternatives or cheaper retailers.

How to Get Passport Photos at Walgreens

Step 1: Find a Walgreens Photo Center

Not every Walgreens has photo services. Here's how to find one:

1. Visit [Walgreens.com/findastore](https://www.walgreens.com/findastore/findastore.jsp)

2. Enter your ZIP code

3. Filter by "Photo" services

4. Check store hours for the photo department

Tip: Call ahead during busy periods (weekends, holiday seasons) to confirm photo services are available.

Step 2: Walk In or Book Online

Walk-in Service:

No appointment needed at most locations

Wait times vary (5-20 minutes)

Best to visit during off-peak hours (weekday mornings)

Online Appointment (Limited Availability):

Some locations offer online scheduling through the Walgreens app

Reduces wait time

Not available at all stores

Step 3: The Photo Process

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

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

3. **Follow instructions** for positioning, expression

4. **Review the photo** on screen before printing

5. **Wait 10-15 minutes** for prints

6. **Pay at checkout** ($16.99 + tax)

Step 4: Pick Up Your Photos

Photos are typically ready in **10-20 minutes**. You'll receive:

2 printed 2x2 inch photos

Photos on 4x6 photo paper (cut to size)

Digital copy only if you paid the extra $2

Walgreens Photo Hours

Most Walgreens photo centers operate during store 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:

**24-hour Walgreens** may NOT have 24-hour photo services

Photo department often closes 1 hour before store closing

Holiday hours vary—always call ahead

Some locations have reduced photo hours

Finding 24-Hour Walgreens with Photos

If you need a passport photo late at night:

1. Search "24 hour Walgreens near me" on Google

2. Call the location to confirm photo services hours

3. **Better option:** Use [AI Visa Photo](/) online—available 24/7!

Walgreens Passport Photo Quality

What You Can Expect

Pros:

✅ Staff are trained on basic requirements

✅ Consistent lighting equipment

✅ White/blue background available

✅ Same-day service

✅ Can retake if not satisfied

Cons:

❌ Quality varies by location and staff

❌ Equipment may be outdated at some stores

❌ Busy associates may rush the process

❌ Limited retakes before additional charges

Common Issues at Walgreens Photos

Based on customer reviews, these issues occur occasionally:

1. **Shadows on face** - Poor lighting or positioning

2. **Background not perfectly white** - Some stores use blue

3. **Head size incorrect** - Staff may not check precise measurements

4. **Glare from glasses** - Staff should ask you to remove glasses (required since 2016)

5. **Expression issues** - Not neutral enough

How to Get the Best Photo at Walgreens

**Go during slow hours** (weekday mornings)

**Bring your own reference** (show State Dept requirements)

**Ask to review before printing**

**Request retakes** if not satisfied

**Bring exact requirements** for your specific visa type

Walgreens Passport Photo Requirements

Walgreens photos should meet these State Department standards:

| Requirement | Specification | |-------------|---------------| | **Size** | 2x2 inches (51x51 mm) | | **Head size** | 1 to 1-3/8 inches (25-35 mm) | | **Background** | White or off-white | | **Recency** | Taken within 6 months | | **Expression** | Neutral, mouth closed | | **Eyes** | Open, visible, no red-eye | | **Glasses** | Not allowed (since 2016) | | **Headwear** | Not allowed (religious exceptions) |

Walgreens Digital Passport Photos

The $2 Digital Add-On

For an extra $2.00 ($18.99 total), Walgreens provides:

Email delivery of your digital photo

High-resolution file

Suitable for DS-160 visa applications

Can be reprinted at home

When You Need Digital

You **MUST** have a digital photo for:

**DS-160** US Visa applications (uploaded online)

**DS-82** Online passport renewal

**USCIS** Green card applications

**Global Entry/TSA PreCheck** applications

Tip: Always get the digital copy if applying for anything requiring online upload.

Digital Photo Specifications

For DS-160 and online applications:

Size: 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels

Format: JPEG

File size: Under 240KB

Same requirements as printed photo

Why Walgreens May Not Be Your Best Option

1. Expensive for What You Get

At $16.99 (or $18.99 with digital), Walgreens charges premium prices:

**Walmart** saves you $9.55

**AI Visa Photo** is **free** (print at home for ~$0.35)

**Costco** saves you $11 (members)

2. Digital Copy Costs Extra

Many competitors include digital copies:

**AI Visa Photo:** Free digital + printable

**FedEx Office:** Includes digital at $14.95

**Walgreens:** +$2 for digital

3. Quality Inconsistency

Staff training and equipment varies:

Some employees rarely do passport photos

Lighting quality differs between stores

Photo may need retakes for compliance

4. No AI Verification

Unlike AI tools, Walgreens staff rely on manual checking:

**No automated compliance verification**

Human error possible

May not catch subtle issues

Better Alternatives to Walgreens Passport Photos

1. AI Visa Photo (Best Overall)

Price: Free (print at home ~$0.35)

Why it's better:

AI automatically verifies all requirements

Perfect white background guaranteed

Digital file included

Available 24/7 from home

Unlimited retakes

Print at any pharmacy for ~$0.35

How it works:

1. Take a selfie with your phone

2. Upload to AI Visa Photo

3. AI adjusts sizing, background, brightness

4. Download compliant digital file

5. Print at any store

[**Try AI Visa Photo Free**](/)

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

Price: $7.44 for 2 photos

Pros:

Less than half the Walgreens price

4,700+ locations

Same-day service

Cons:

No digital copy

Photo center hours vary

3. Costco Photo (Best for Members)

Price: $5.99 for 2 photos

Pros:

Cheapest retail option

Excellent quality

Quick turnaround

Cons:

Requires $65/year membership

Not worth joining just for photos

4. Take Your Own at Home

Price: $0.35 (printing only)

With a smartphone and AI Visa Photo:

1. Stand against white wall

2. Have someone take your photo

3. Upload to AI Visa Photo

4. Download compliant version

5. Print anywhere for ~$0.35

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Walgreens take passport photos near me?

Most Walgreens locations offer passport photos, but not all. Use the [Walgreens store locator](https://www.walgreens.com/findastore) and filter by "Photo" to find locations near you.

How long does Walgreens passport photo take?

Total time: 15-30 minutes

Wait for service: 5-15 minutes

Photo taking: 2-5 minutes

Printing: 5-10 minutes

Can I take my own photo and print at Walgreens?

Yes! This is the smartest approach:

1. Use AI Visa Photo to create a compliant image

2. Download the 4x6 print sheet (multiple 2x2 photos)

3. Print at Walgreens photo kiosk for ~$0.35

Does Walgreens do 2x2 photos?

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

Is Walgreens passport photo accepted?

Yes, Walgreens photos are generally accepted if they meet official requirements. However, quality varies by location—review your photo carefully before accepting.

Can I get a passport photo at Walgreens on Sunday?

Most Walgreens are open Sunday 9 AM - 9 PM, and photo services are usually available. Call ahead to confirm photo department hours.

Does Walgreens offer same-day passport photos?

Yes, all passport photos at Walgreens are same-day—typically ready in 10-20 minutes.

What if my Walgreens passport photo is rejected?

If your application is rejected due to photo issues:

1. Return to Walgreens with rejection notice

2. Request a free retake (policies vary)

3. Or use AI Visa Photo for guaranteed compliance

Final Verdict: Should You Use Walgreens for Passport Photos?

Use Walgreens if:

You need photos TODAY and there's one nearby

Convenience matters more than price

You're already shopping at Walgreens

Don't use Walgreens if:

You want to save money

You need a digital copy (pay $2 extra)

You have 10+ minutes to use a free online tool

Our Recommendation

Skip the $16.99+ fee. Use **AI Visa Photo** for free, then print at Walgreens for $0.35. You'll save over **$16** and get a guaranteed compliant photo.

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

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*Last updated: April 2026 | AI Visa Photo - Professional passport photos, done right.*