head 50–69 %no glasses
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceU.S. Department of State
Verified
Quick answer: A USA visa photo must be 51 × 51 mm. Plain white or off-white background without shadows or foreign objects. Head occupies 50–69% of photo height. Neutral expression, glasses prohibited. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 51 × 51 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 50–69% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Background | Plain white or off-white background without shadows or foreign objects. Make photo background white — USA visa → |
| Pose | Strictly full face, no tilt or rotation. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open. |
| Glasses | Glasses prohibited, except for rare medical exceptions. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Even light, no shadows, reflections, or digital alterations to appearance. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Ordinary everyday clothing; uniforms not permitted, except daily religious dress. |
| Digital resolution | 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | max 240 KB Compress photo to 200 KB — USA visa → |
| Millimetres | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 5.1 × 5.1 cm |
| Inches | 2 × 2″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 602 × 602 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 1205 × 1205 px |
US visa photo verification is run by the US Department of State Consular Affairs under 9 FAM 403.9. The DS-160 online application (used for non-immigrant visas — B1/B2, F1, H1B, etc.) requires a digital photo at upload time; the printed 2×2 inch photo is also required at the consular interview.
Verification has three layers. First, the DS-160 upload page runs an automated check — JPEG, 600×600 to 1200×1200 px, square aspect, under 240 KB, sRGB colour space.
Files outside this band are rejected server-side before submission proceeds. Second, the consular officer at the visa interview compares the printed photo against the digital file uploaded.
Third, on arrival at any US port of entry, the photo is matched against live face capture (CBP biometric exit since 2022). US visa-specific: head must occupy 50-69% of the frame (slightly looser than passport's 50-69% to accommodate wider portraits).
The 240 KB digital ceiling is strict and unforgiving — most phone-camera JPEGs at default quality exceed it. Glasses have not been allowed in new visa photos since November 1, 2016, except in rare circumstances when they cannot be removed for medical reasons (e.g. recent ocular surgery) — a signed statement from a medical professional is required, frames must not obscure the eyes and there must be no glare or shadows on the lenses.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons USA visa photos get rejected.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected: some follow from the rules U.S. Department of State publishes, the rest are the usual document-photo requirements. The table shows what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Digital file outside 600×600 to 1200×1200 px / 240 KB range | Re-encode JPEG sRGB, target ~600×600 px ~150 KB |
| Aspect ratio not square (1:1) | Crop to 1:1 — same height and width |
| Colour space not sRGB (Adobe RGB or other rejected) | Convert to sRGB in any photo editor before export |
| Head outside 50-69% of frame | Standard US visa crop |
| Glasses worn (banned since November 1, 2016; rare medical exceptions require a signed doctor's statement) | Remove glasses; if they cannot be removed for medical reasons, provide a signed statement from a medical professional |
| Printed photo at interview doesn't match uploaded digital | Use same shoot session for both digital upload and printed copy |
How to take it
Background: white or off-white
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 50–69 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 51 × 51 mm.
Glasses prohibited
Take them off before the shot.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glassesTake your glasses off — this document's rules require it.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 4 (2 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 20 (4 × 5) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
US visa applications are processed by the US Department of State through its consular network. The DS-160 form is the primary route for most non-immigrant visa categories.
ceac.state.gov/genniv
After DS-160 you schedule an in-person interview at a US embassy/consulate (15 days waiver-eligible exceptions). Photo: 2×2 inch, white background, ≤240KB JPEG.
Authority pageceac.state.gov/iv
Used for IR-1/CR-1 spouse, IR-2 child, F-1/F-2 family-sponsored, EB-1/EB-2 employment-based, etc.
Authority page| Authority | U.S. Department of State |
|---|---|
| Source | U.S. Department of State visa photos |
| Verified |
Questions
Yes, but the file must meet strict server-side checks: JPEG format, ≤240 KB file size, square aspect ratio (600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels), 6 months recent. The DS-160 system rejects oversized photos at upload before a human officer sees the form. Most phone photos exceed 240 KB and need re-encoding before upload.
No. The US Department of State banned eyewear in passport and visa photos in November 2016. The DS-160 rule applies even to clear prescription glasses. Medical exceptions require a signed letter from a healthcare provider stating the glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons.
Yes. The DS-160 form requires a photo taken within 6 months of submission. Even if your appearance has not changed, you must provide a fresh photo. The previous photo on your old visa cannot be reused.
The USA visa photo must be 51 × 51 mm. The head must occupy 50–69% of the photo height. For digital upload, use 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px.
Plain white or off-white background without shadows or foreign objects. The wall should be evenly lit, with no shadow around the head and no pattern. You don’t need a studio backdrop: the tool sets the right background colour.
Consulates usually ask for a photo taken within the last six months, sometimes within three. Take a new one that looks like you today.
Often yes, but not always: tourist, student, work and transit visas can have different size or background rules. Compare the requirements of each USA visa — if they match, one photo will do.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the consulate’s rejection notice.
51 × 51 mm = 5.1 × 5.1 cm = 2 × 2 inches. At 300 dpi that is 602 × 602 pixels; at 600 dpi, 1205 × 1205 pixels.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.