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How we verifyPricing$11.86Where to get oneMoney-back guaranteeUS Visa Photo Requirements
Short answer
A US visa photo is 2 × 2 inches with the head between 1 and 1⅜ inches on a plain white background — the same specification as a US passport photo, and it is uploaded digitally as part of the DS-160 form.
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✕See all 10 examples
The specification
| Size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), square |
| Head height | 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of hair |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, evenly lit |
| Expression | Neutral or natural closed-mouth smile, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not permitted |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
The DS-160 upload
Nonimmigrant visa applications are filed on Form DS-160, and the photo is uploaded during the form rather than posted. The system runs automated checks at upload and rejects files that are not square, are below the minimum pixel dimensions, or appear edited.
If the upload fails you are asked to bring a printed photo to your interview instead, which is a fallback rather than a failure — but it means arriving with a physical 2 × 2 inch print, so it is worth getting the upload right.
The digital file you get from us is 1200 × 1200 pixels, which is inside the accepted range with room to spare, and the printable sheet covers the fallback.
Applying from outside the US
This is where photos most often go wrong. If you are applying from a country that uses the 35 × 45 mm European format, a photo taken at a local shop will be the wrong shape — the US requires a square, and a rectangular photo cropped down usually breaks the head-size rule at the same time.
Tell the photographer you need a US visa photo at 2 × 2 inches, or produce it yourself against the US specification. Our processing crops to the exact US geometry regardless of what shape the original was.
Head coverings and religious dress
Head coverings worn daily for religious reasons are permitted, with the same conditions as a passport photo: your full face must be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, and the covering must not cast a shadow.
Consular officers see this constantly and it is routine. What causes problems is fabric that shadows the eyes or obscures the hairline, both of which are fixable by adjusting it back before the photo.
What passes and what gets refused
Photos that pass
✓ PassesAcceptable
Even frontal lighting, no shadows on the face or the wall, plain white background, neutral expression with the mouth closed, and a mid-tone top that separates cleanly from the background.
✓ PassesAcceptable
A relaxed, closed-mouth smile is fine — the rule is about teeth and exaggeration, not about looking stern. Lighting is even and the background is plain.
✓ PassesAcceptable
Children follow the same rules as adults once they can sit unsupported: eyes open, facing the camera, plain background, nobody else in the frame.
Photos that get refused
✕ RefusedNot accepted — background
The single most common rejection. A bookshelf, lamp and picture frame are all visible, and the warm indoor light has tinted the wall. The background must be plain white or off-white with nothing behind you.
✕ RefusedNot accepted — shadows
Harsh side lighting has thrown a shadow across half the face and a second one onto the wall behind. Both are refused. Face a window on an overcast day, or stand well away from the wall.
✕ RefusedNot accepted — glasses
Glasses have not been permitted in US passport photos since November 2016, and here the glare is obscuring both eyes anyway — which would fail even in countries that do allow them.
✕ RefusedNot accepted — expression
A broad open-mouthed smile with teeth showing, and the eyes have narrowed from smiling. Biometric matching needs a neutral face with both eyes clearly open.
✕ RefusedNot accepted — arm's-length selfie
The phone is far too close, so the nose and forehead are enlarged by lens distortion, and the outstretched arm is in shot. This is why the official checklist says no selfies. Shoot from about six feet instead.
✕ RefusedNot accepted — head covering
Hats are refused outright. Head coverings are permitted only for religious or medical reasons, with a signed statement, and must never shadow the face as this cap does.
✕ RefusedNot accepted — head too small
Framed too loosely, so the head measures well under the required 1 to 1⅜ inches. Too small is far more common than too large, because people instinctively step back.
Illustrative examples — the people shown are AI-generated.
Make one now — checked before you pay
Your us visa photo, measured against all eleven requirements before you pay. You get a 1200 × 1200 digital file and a printable 4 × 6 sheet for $11.86 — and nothing is charged until it passes.
Check my photo freeFrequently asked
What size is a US visa photo?+
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), with the head 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to the top of the hair.
Is a US visa photo the same as a passport photo?+
Yes, the specification is the same. A compliant passport photo works for a visa application if it is under six months old.
What if the DS-160 rejects my photo?+
You can bring a printed 2 × 2 inch photo to your interview instead. Most upload failures are wrong aspect ratio or too few pixels.
Can I use a 35 × 45 mm photo from my own country?+
No. The US format is square. A European photo cropped to a square usually ends up with the head outside the required size band.
Can I wear a head covering?+
Yes, if worn daily for religious reasons, provided your full face is visible and unshadowed from chin to forehead.