U.S. visa photo requirements
As of October 25, 2026, a digital U.S. visa photo is a square JPEG from 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 pixels, 240 KB or less, with the head filling 50% to 69% of the height (per travel.state.gov, checked on Oct 25, 2026).
Visa photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change the applicant’s appearance in any way, per the State Department.
Whether a visa photo or digital image is accepted is up to the U.S. embassy or consulate where the applicant applies.
The DS-160 asks for a square JPEG in color (24-bit sRGB), at least 600 x 600 and at most 1200 x 1200 pixels, no bigger than 240 KB. If the file has to be compressed to fit, keep the compression at 20:1 or lower.
At 1200 x 1200 pixels, a 20:1 ratio already produces about 216 KB, so the safe choice for most cameras is a 600 x 600 file, which leaves room under the 240 KB ceiling.
Source: travel.state.gov
Measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, the head takes up 50% to 69% of the digital image. On a 2 x 2 inch print that is 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm).
The eyes have their own range: 56% to 69% of the image height, counted up from the bottom edge, or 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches on a print. Hair counts toward the head height in visa photos, which is not how the passport rule is worded.
Source: travel.state.gov
No, apart from rare medical cases, such as recent eye surgery, documented by a signed medical statement. Hearing devices worn every day may stay on; headphones may not.
Source: travel.state.gov
For a nonimmigrant visa, the photo is uploaded with the DS-160, though some embassies and consulates also want one print at the interview. Immigrant visa applicants filing the DS-260 bring two identical 2 x 2 inch prints on photo-quality paper.
Source: travel.state.gov
A phone camera can work, but the State Department refuses low-quality mobile phone photos, snapshots and full-length photos. Use good light, a plain white or off-white wall and the camera’s full resolution, then crop to a square. Source: official page "Photo Requirements (U.S. Visas)", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
Yes. The State Department offers a free photo tool that crops an image to exactly 600 x 600 pixels. It only crops: it does not check quality, and an employee makes the final decision on the photo. Source: official page "Digital Image Requirements", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
The U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply. No photo service, including SelfieToPassport, can promise that a consular officer will accept a photo. Source: official page "Photo Requirements (U.S. Visas)", checked on Oct 25, 2026.
No. SelfieToPassport is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State or any other government agency. The U.S. Department of State publishes the photo rules for free at travel.state.gov; this page links to each one.
For U.S. documents we crop and resize your original photo. We do not replace the background: the State Department lists photos with a background cut out by software as unacceptable.
Ready? Free preview with the measurements drawn on your photo; $6.95 for the digital file and both print sheets.
Make my U.S. visa photoEvery rule on this page comes from a page published by the U.S. Department of State, read on the date shown. We rewrite each rule in plain words and link to the page it came from. Each rule has a review deadline; one that passes it without a new check comes off the page.
Something here out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the official page.
