US visa photo requirements: 2 × 2 inches and the DS-160 upload
The US Department of State uses one shared photo specification across non-immigrant visas (DS-160), immigrant visas (DS-260) and US passport applications: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), plain white background, head 1 to 1⅜ inches (22–35 mm) chin to crown — 50% to 69% of the image height. This pillar covers the shared photo standard and links to a dedicated page for each of the 8 most common visa categories.
Quick answer
2 × 2 inches, plain white, head 50–69% of the image
A US visa photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) square with the head measuring 1 to 1⅜ inches (22–35 mm) chin to crown — 50% to 69% of the image height. Background: plain white or off-white, even illumination. Neutral expression, eyes open, no glasses (banned since 2016), taken within the last 6 months. Last reviewed .
Do you need a visa at all? ESTA
If you hold a passport from a Visa Waiver Program country, a short trip needs an ESTA authorisation rather than a visa. ESTA does not ask you to upload a photo, so the requirements on this page do not apply to you. The fee went up under Public Law 119-21: for applications made from 30 September 2025 it is $40.27 instead of the previous $21, and it is adjusted for inflation each year. The official ESTA site shows the exact amount when you pay.
One caution about visa fees: the 2025 law also provides for a fee of at least $250 for the issuance of a non-immigrant visa. It does not appear in the Department of State fee schedule as of this review. Go by the amount travel.state.gov shows on the day you pay.
The US visa photo specification
| Size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) [1] |
|---|---|
| Head height | 1 to 1⅜ inches (22–35 mm) chin to crown — 50% to 69% of the image height [1] |
| Background | plain white or off-white, even illumination [1] |
| Pose | Front-facing, head level, both ears visible when possible [2] |
| Expression | Neutral facial expression, both eyes open (no smile) |
| Glasses | Banned since 2016 except for documented medical reason. See full rules → [1] |
| Head covering | Religious or medical head coverings allowed when facial features remain fully visible |
| Age of photo | Taken within the last 6 months [1] |
| DS-160 file | JPEG, minimum 600 × 600 pixels (1:1 aspect), maximum 240 KB [3] |
Sources
- [1] US Department of State Photo Requirements — official passport and visa photo specification. travel.state.gov ↗
- [2] ICAO Doc 9303 Machine Readable Travel Documents, Part 9 — portrait quality and biometric framing. The US adopts ICAO 9303 as the underlying standard for passport photo geometry. ICAO 9303 ↗
- [3] US Department of State DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application — digital photo upload technical specification. DS-160 digital requirements ↗
Verified . We monitor travel.state.gov for changes; visa fees and processing times shown for individual categories are sourced from each category page (see sub-pages for direct links).
Choose your US visa category
The photo specification is identical across these categories. The application route — form, fee, processing time, interview requirement — is category-specific. Pick the visa you are applying for to see the full route.
US visa categories at a glance
| Visa | Form | Standard fee | Processing time |
|---|---|---|---|
| B1/B2 visitor visa | DS-160 | $185 (non-refundable application fee) | 2–8 weeks standard depending on consulate and visa wait time |
| F-1 student visa | DS-160 | $185 application fee + $350 SEVIS I-901 fee | 2–6 weeks |
| H-1B work visa | DS-160 | $190 application fee | 2–6 weeks at consulate after USCIS approval |
| K-1 fiancé(e) visa | DS-160 | $265 application fee | The wait is made up of three stages — USCIS, the National Visa Center and the consulate — and it changes every month. Check the current time for your form in the USCIS Check Case Processing Times service |
| IR-1/CR-1 spouse visa | DS-260 | $325 application fee | The wait is made up of three stages — USCIS, the National Visa Center and the consulate — and it changes every month. Check the current time for your form in the USCIS Check Case Processing Times service |
| J-1 exchange visitor visa | DS-160 | $185 application fee + $220 SEVIS I-901 fee | 2–6 weeks at consulate |
| L-1 intracompany transfer | DS-160 | $190 application fee | 2–6 weeks at consulate after USCIS approval |
| EB-5 investor visa | DS-260 | $345 consular fee for an employment-based immigrant visa | The wait is made up of three stages — USCIS, the National Visa Center and the consulate — and it changes every month. Check the current time for your form in the USCIS Check Case Processing Times service |
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US visa photo?
The US visa photo is 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The head must measure 1 to 1⅜ inches (22–35 mm) from chin to crown — that is 50% to 69% of the image height. The same size is used for the DS-160 upload, the printed photo at the consulate, and the visa sticker.
Is the DS-160 photo the same as a US passport photo?
Yes — identical specification. 2 × 2 inches, plain white background, head 1 to 1⅜ inches, neutral expression, taken within the last 6 months. The same photo file works for DS-160 visa applications and US passport applications.
Can I smile in a US visa photo?
No. For a visa photo the US Department of State requires a neutral facial expression with both eyes open. The "natural smile" wording comes from the page about renewing a US passport online — a different document with different rules. For the visa: relaxed face, mouth closed.
Can I wear glasses in a US visa photo?
Glasses are not allowed in US passport or visa photos since November 2016 except for documented medical reasons. Remove glasses before the shot; even small lens glare causes automated rejection.
Do I need to print the photo or just upload it?
Upload the digital file through DS-160 (mandatory). Bring one printed 2 × 2 inch photo to the consulate appointment as a fallback — most consulates request it even though the digital upload was accepted.
My DS-160 says my photo is the wrong size — what should I check?
The DS-160 portal requires a square aspect ratio (1:1), minimum 600 × 600 pixels, JPEG format under 240 KB. A common cause of failure is a portrait-orientation phone photo: the system needs square. The Anfas.Pro tool exports a DS-160-compatible file automatically.
Related cross-country guides
Prepare your US visa photo
Upload a portrait — Anfas.Pro crops it to the exact 2 × 2 inch DS-160 format, applies the white background and exports a 240 KB JPEG ready for upload.