How the PhotoGov Startup Processes Tens of Thousands of Photos for U.S. Migration

In a world where every detail in migration documents matters, creating a proper photo for a passport or visa can be a crucial factor. It must meet strict requirements—image size, head position, lighting, background type, and more. Over the years, the PhotoGov startup has processed millions of photos, assisting people worldwide, including those seeking to move to the U.S. In this article, we will explore how the service handles this task, what technologies it uses, and why it has become so popular, especially among migrants.

PhotoGov

From a Small Startup to a Global Solution

When we first learned about PhotoGov, we were immediately impressed by the background of its founder. The owner is a young entrepreneur who already runs several major tech startups and continuously expands his portfolio. Thanks to this, the project quickly grew from a local idea into a service supporting users in more than 120 countries. His mission is simple—to free people from the need to visit photo studios, wait in lines, and overpay for photographs, entrusting such processes to modern AI-based solutions.

The service has already processed over 1.8 million photos, with 99% being accepted by government agencies. This is truly an impressive statistic. The platform is designed for individuals applying for visas, passports, and other documents, including popular categories for U.S. migration such as H-1B, Green Card, and tourist visas.

The key to success lies in truly intelligent artificial intelligence algorithms that automatically crop, scale, and adjust photos to meet strict requirements. For instance, U.S. passports require a 2x2-inch photo with a specific head position and a neutral background. The platform handles this in seconds, saving time and effort.

How AI Works Its Magic

The technology behind PhotoGov is a combination of computer vision and machine learning. A user uploads a photo, and the algorithm performs a series of checks and adjustments:

1. Background removal: AI eliminates any distracting elements, replacing them with a plain white background, as required by U.S. standards;
2. Parameter correction: The algorithm verifies the face size, head tilt, and lighting to ensure compliance with requirements, such as those set by the U.S. Department of State;
3. Formatting: The photo is automatically resized to the necessary dimensions (e.g., 2x2 inches for U.S. passports) and provided in JPEG, PNG, or PDF format.

After processing, users receive a ready-to-download file, which can be printed on a 4x6 sheet. This is particularly convenient for those preparing migration documents, where every detail must be flawless. The tool is capable of adapting to the requirements of more than 1,000 types of documents. Whether it's a J-1 visa for students or an EB-5 visa for investors, the platform offers templates that match specific standards:

As can be seen, among the key advantages of the service are its significantly more affordable price, enhanced editing capabilities, and an incomparably wider range of supported documents. While the official tool may fall short in this comparison, it is worth noting that it is completely free. Therefore, everyone can choose the best option based on their needs.

Security and Trust

PhotoGov fully complies with GDPR standards. This is important for users in Europe and also reassuring for those submitting documents in the U.S. The service employs encryption, access control, and temporary data storage, ensuring that all uploaded photos are immediately and permanently deleted upon processing completion.

This is crucial for migration purposes, as photos contain personal information. The service also emphasizes that facial data used for analysis is not stored or shared with third parties. Additionally, a contact for privacy inquiries is provided—dpo@photogov.net—should you have any questions.

Usage Statistics

To understand how PhotoGov is perceived by users, we analyzed data analytics, revealing fascinating details about user interaction with the service. The graph displays the volume of uploaded data from early February to late May 2025, as well as the distribution of traffic across platforms and devices.

The total data volume is 1.83 TB—an impressive figure for a platform that processes photos for migration documents. Peak activity occurred on May 12 and May 18, when upload volumes reached 30–40 TB, likely due to document submission deadlines. Spikes were also observed in late April, possibly due to seasonal growth in U.S. migration applications. The distribution of traffic sources and devices provides insight into how users prefer to utilize the service.

Here is a more visual representation of the statistics:

The table shows that the platform is primarily used on mobile devices, accounting for 95.2% of traffic. The peak of 40 TB on May 12 is also a clear indicator that the service efficiently handles high loads during peak periods, which is critical for migration deadlines. This is especially evident when trying to process a photo through the official tool on the lottery website in the final days of application submissions—during this time, the site often becomes unresponsive due to extremely high traffic.

Final Thoughts

PhotoGov is an example of how technology can streamline bureaucratic processes, such as preparing photos for U.S. migration. This AI solution saves time and money, making the service attractive to migrants worldwide. For those preparing visa or passport documents, the platform can be an invaluable tool, especially if professional photo studios—thoroughly familiar with Green Card lottery regulations—are not easily accessible.