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US visa photo maker (DS-160)

Get a US visa photo that passes the State Department's digital image rules for the DS-160 upload, and matching 2 x 2 inch prints for the interview or an immigrant visa.

  • Free
  • Photos never leave your device
  • Rules checked

Document:US visa photo (DS-160)

Your photo stays on this device. Nothing is uploaded. JPEG, PNG, WebP or HEIC.

Take a photo

Look straight at the camera and keep your whole head inside the oval, with a plain wall behind you. The preview is mirrored; your photo will not be.

US visa photo (DS-160) requirements

Print size2 x 2 in (50.8 x 50.8 mm)
Head height (chin to top of head)50–69% of the photo height
Eyes from the bottom edge56–69% of the photo height
BackgroundPlain white or off-white
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, eyes open
GlassesNot allowed
Head coveringOnly for religious reasons
How recentTaken in the last 6 months
Digital photo600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 px, JPEG, up to 240 KB
  • Color, in focus, full face directly facing the camera
  • Not digitally enhanced or altered in any way
  • No uniform (daily religious clothing is fine), no headphones or wireless earpieces
  • Some embassies also ask for one printed 2 x 2 in photo at the interview; immigrant visa (DS-260) applicants bring two

Official source: U.S. Department of State — Visa Photo Requirements

How to take a US visa photo

  1. Use a plain white or off-white background. A white wall works; otherwise hang a smooth white sheet. Stand a few feet in front of it so your shadow does not fall on it.
  2. Wear everyday clothes. No uniform (religious clothing you wear every day is fine), no hat unless you wear it daily for religious reasons, and no headphones or wireless earpieces.
  3. Take off your glasses. Move hair away from your eyes and face.
  4. Light your face evenly from the front, for example facing a window. Avoid side light and flash.
  5. Ask someone to take the photo from about 4 feet (1.2 m) away with the phone at your eye level. Use the normal camera: no zoom, portrait mode, filters or beauty effects.
  6. Look straight at the camera with a neutral face, both eyes open and your mouth closed.
  7. Upload it here. The tool sizes your head to 50–69% of the photo height, places your eyes 56–69% above the bottom edge, and checks the rest.

Uploading your photo to the DS-160

The DS-160 (and the DS-1648) asks you to upload the photo while you fill in the form. The file the tool gives you is ready for it:

  • square, 600 x 600 pixels, in color;
  • JPEG format, saved at the highest quality that stays at or under 240 KB;
  • your head and eyes placed inside the percentage windows of the State Department’s photo composition template.

Keep the file as it is: opening it in a photo app and saving it again can change its size or quality. The embassy or consulate decides whether your photo is acceptable, and it can ask for a new photo at your interview.

Common reasons US visa photos are refused

  • Glasses, or glare and shadows on glasses worn for medical reasons.
  • Smile or open mouth: the visa rules ask for a neutral expression.
  • Head too small or too large, usually a photo taken from too far away or too close.
  • Background that is not plain white or off-white, or shows objects, patterns or shadows.
  • Edited photos: filters, retouching or a software-changed background.
  • Low quality: blurry, dark or pixelated images, or a file squeezed below 240 KB so hard that the face looks blocky.
  • Copied photos: scans of a driver’s license or another document, snapshots, magazine photos and full-length photos.
  • An old photo: taken more than 6 months ago, or before your appearance changed.

Printing US visa photos

If your embassy asks for a printed photo, or you are applying for an immigrant visa, use the Download print sheet button. It places two 2 x 2 inch photos on a 4 x 6 inch sheet at true size. Print it on photo paper at 100% scale, or order a normal 4 x 6 inch print at a photo counter, and cut along the guides. Printed photos must be in color and on photo-quality paper. See the print sheet maker for tips on keeping the size exact.

Photographing a baby or toddler for a visa? Lay the child on their back on a plain white or off-white sheet, or cover a car seat with one, make sure no one else is in the photo, and wait for open eyes. Our baby passport photo page has more tips.

Frequently asked questions

What size is a US visa photo?

A printed US visa photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The digital photo for the DS-160 must be square, between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels, a JPEG file of 240 KB or less. In both, your head from chin to the top of the hair must fill 50% to 69% of the photo's height.

What are the DS-160 photo requirements?

A color JPEG image in sRGB, square, from 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 pixels and no larger than 240 KB, taken in the last 6 months against a plain white or off-white background. Your face must be straight on, with a neutral expression, both eyes open and no glasses. The tool's download is a 600 x 600 pixel JPEG under that limit.

Can I smile in a US visa photo?

No. The visa photo rules ask for a neutral facial expression with both eyes open, and unlike the passport rules they do not mention a smile. Keep your mouth closed and your face relaxed. The tool warns you if it sees a smile or an open mouth, so you can take another photo before you upload.

Can I wear glasses in my visa photo?

No. Glasses are not allowed in new visa photos. The only exception is a medical reason, such as recent eye surgery, and then you need a signed medical statement; the frames must not cover your eyes and there must be no glare or shadow on them. Hearing aids and similar devices you wear every day are allowed.

Can I take my US visa photo with my phone?

Yes. The State Department says you may take the photo yourself, as long as it meets every rule and is not digitally enhanced or altered. It does refuse low-quality phone photos and snapshots, so use the main camera, good daylight, a white wall and a helper about 4 feet away, then size and check the photo here.

Do I need printed photos for my visa interview?

It depends on the embassy or consulate. Some ask nonimmigrant visa applicants to bring one printed photo that meets the rules, so check the instructions of the office where you apply. Immigrant visa applicants (Form DS-260) must bring two identical 2 x 2 inch photos, printed on photo-quality paper. The tool's print sheet holds two photos.

How recent must the photo be?

It must be taken within the last 6 months and show how you look now. Even a recent photo is refused if your appearance has changed a lot since, for example after significant facial surgery or an injury. Do not reuse an older photo from a previous visa or passport application.

Why does the tool keep my background instead of making it white?

US visa photos must not be digitally altered, and the State Department refuses passport photos whose background was cut out with software. So the tool only crops, sizes and straightens the photo and checks that your real background is plain white or off-white. If the check fails, take the photo again against a white wall or sheet.

Sources

  1. U.S. Department of State — Visa Photo Requirements (opened )
  2. U.S. Department of State — Digital Image Requirements (opened )
  3. U.S. Department of State — Photo Composition Template (opened )

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passportvisapic.com is not affiliated with any government. The issuing authority makes the final decision on every photo.