Free check · by the document rules
USA Visa photo checker
Upload a photo — we check it against every requirement of the document and give you a verdict.
- Your photo never leaves your device
- Free, no sign-up
- 33 checks by the authority rules
Visaplain whiteno glassessample
Step 1 · Upload a photo
or drop the file onto the drawing on the left
- Your photo never leaves your device
- Free, no sign-up
What we check — the document requirements
- 1Size and filePhoto and file size — as this document expects them51 × 51 mm
- 2Head in the photoHow much of the photo the head takes — from the crown to the chin50–69 % of the photo height
- 3Eye heightHow high the eyes sit — measured from the bottom edge of the photo56–69 % from the bottom of the photo
- 4BackgroundColour and evenness of the background behind the headplain white
- 5Glasses and headwearWhether glasses and head coverings are allowed — by this document's rulesno glasses
- 6Pose and faceLooking straight at the camera, mouth closed, a calm faceneutral face
- 7Light and sharpnessEven light on the face, a sharp colour photoeven light, sharp photo
Notes to the sheet
USA Visa photo requirements at a glance
- The USA Visa photo is 51 × 51 mm.
- The head takes up 50–69 % of the photo height.
- The eyes sit at 56–69 % from the bottom of the photo.
- Background: plain white.
- Glasses come off for the photo.
- Head coverings only for religious reasons, with the whole face visible.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed.
- File: 600 × 600 px · up to 240 KB.
- Rules: U.S. Department of State, checked against the official text on 15 Aug 2026.
Why USA Visa photos are rejected most often
- File outside the DS-160 limits
- File aspect ratio not 1:1
- Head height outside 1 to 1⅜ inches
- Glasses visible
What we don't check
- When the picture was taken. We read the date from the file if it survived, but re-saving wipes it — and many authorities ask for a recent photo.
- Whether the picture was edited. Retouching, filters and AI changes cannot be proved from a file.
- Whether you have sent this picture before. Some authorities reject a photo that was already used in an earlier application.
- How the photo will be printed. Paper, trimming and print quality cannot be judged from a file.
- The route you apply through. Some countries want a code from an approved photographer, or take the picture at the office themselves.
Frequently asked
What size is the USA Visa photo?
51 × 51 mm, with the head taking up 50–69 % of the photo height. The check compares your photo with these numbers and crops it to size for free.
What background does the USA Visa photo need?
Plain, even white — no shadows, patterns or objects behind you. If yours is different, the free fix replaces it.
Can I wear glasses in the USA Visa photo?
No: under the document rules glasses come off for the photo — regular and sunglasses alike.
Can I smile in the USA Visa photo?
No: the expression is neutral, the mouth closed, the eyes looking straight into the camera.
Can I wear a head covering in the USA Visa photo?
Only for religious reasons — and the whole face must stay visible, from chin to forehead, without shadows.
Which rules is the USA Visa photo checked against?
The rules of the authority that issues the document: U.S. Department of State. The numbers are checked word for word against the official text; every verdict row has a «Why» with the rule quote and a link to the source.
Can I print the USA Visa photo at home?
Yes: «Print on a 10 × 15 sheet» lays out your USA Visa photo (51 × 51 mm) on a standard sheet — print it at a photo shop or on a home printer; the size on the sheet is exact.
Is the check free? Is my photo uploaded anywhere?
Free, no sign-up. The check and the fix run right in your browser — the photo never leaves your device; it goes to a server only if you choose the AI yourself.