US visa photo
2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) · 600 × 600 px · head 25.4–35 mm · white or off-white
Made on your phone in about a minute. Free, no sign-up, and your photo never leaves your device.
- 01Upload
- 02Adjust
- 03Download
Your photo stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded.
- Stand in front of a plain, light wall in even daylight.
- Ask someone to take it from about 4 ft (1.2 m) away, at face height.
- Look straight at the camera. Take off glasses and hats.
How to get a US visa photo that passes
- 01
Take the photo
Stand about 2 ft (60 cm) in front of a plain, light wall. Ask someone to take the photo from about 4 ft (1.2 m) away with the camera at face height. Use daylight from a window in front of you, not overhead light. Take off your glasses, keep both eyes open and your mouth closed.
- 02
Check the crop
The tool finds your face, sizes your head and makes the background plain automatically. If a check turns amber or red, drag or zoom until it turns green.
- 03
Download or print
Download the digital photo for online forms, or the 4 × 6 in sheet to print at a photo kiosk. Print at actual size and cut along the grey lines.
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height | 25.4–35 mm |
| Background | White or off-white, plain, no shadows |
| Digital file | JPEG, 0 KB–240 KB |
| Our download | 600 × 600 px |
| Digital file | Square JPEG, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px, 240 KB or less |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Taken | Within the last 6 months |
| Editing | No filters or digital changes |
| Source | U.S. Department of State: Visa photo requirements |
| Last verified |
Questions people ask
What size is a US visa photo?
The digital photo for the DS-160 form must be a square JPEG between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels and no larger than 240 KB. A printed photo is 2 × 2 inches.
How big must my head be?
Your head, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair, must take up 50% to 69% of the photo's height. The tool sizes it for you and checks it.
Can I wear glasses in a US visa photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in US visa photos. Take them off before the photo.
Is this the same as a US passport photo?
The printed size and head size are the same, but the visa upload has a 240 KB file limit and a 600 × 600 px minimum. The download from this page is a 600 × 600 px JPEG under 240 KB.
Who decides if my photo is accepted?
The US embassy or consulate where you apply. A photo that meets these rules is very likely to be accepted, but the final decision is theirs.