U.S. visa photo for the DS-160: size, rules, and how to take one
For a DS-160 application, you upload a digital photo as part of the online form. It must meet the U.S. Department of State’s photo rules, and the embassy or consulate decides whether it is acceptable.[1][2]
Photo size and head position
A printed U.S. visa photo is 2 × 2 inches (50.8 × 50.8 mm). The head height, measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, should be 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm). The eye height must be 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches (28–35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.[3]
For a digital image, use a square photo between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels. The top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin must be 50%–69% of the image height. Eye height, measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes, should be 56%–69% of the image height.[3]
The Department of State does not specify a separate top-margin measurement. For the digital file, use JPEG format, color in sRGB, and a file size of 240 KB or less. The image must be square; 600 × 600 pixels is the minimum upload size, not the only accepted size.[3][2]
Background, expression, and what you can wear
Use a plain white or off-white background. The Department of State does not give exact color values for these backgrounds. Face the camera directly, show your full face, and keep both eyes open with a neutral expression. Wear clothing you normally wear each day; do not wear a uniform unless it is religious clothing worn daily.[1]
Remove glasses. They are allowed only in rare medical circumstances when you cannot remove them, such as after recent eye surgery. In that case, provide a medical statement signed by a medical professional or health practitioner. Frames, glare, shadows, or refraction must not obscure either eye.[1]
A hat or head covering must not obscure your hair or hairline unless you wear it daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must remain visible, and the covering must not cast shadows on your face. The source does not state a medical exception for headwear. Headphones and wireless hands-free devices are not accepted.[1]
How to take the photo at home
Choose a bright room and a plain white or off-white wall. Stand or sit far enough from the wall that your head does not cast a shadow on it. Face a window or use even light from the front so both sides of your face are clear; this is practical advice to help you make an evenly lit photo.
Ask another person to take the picture if possible. Put the camera at eye level, about 1–1.5 m away, and use the rear camera if you are taking it with a phone. Keep your head straight and centered. Leave space around your hair and shoulders so the photo can be cropped without cutting off your head.
Take several pictures and check them before choosing one. Look for sharp focus, even light, a plain background, both eyes open, and a neutral expression. Do not use a filter or edit the image to change your appearance. The Department of State permits self-taken photos but recommends a professional photo service; a professional photo is not required in every case.[1][2]
Crop the selected picture to a square and check the head and eye positions against the digital measurements above. The tool above can help crop the picture, but cropping does not check image quality or guarantee acceptance. The authority makes the final decision.[3][2]
Upload the photo or print a copy
Upload the digital image when completing the DS-160. Check the confirmation page after submission: if it shows your photo, the upload worked and you do not need a separate printed photo for the DS-160. If the photo box shows an “X,” the upload failed. Submit one printed photo that meets the requirements with your DS-160 confirmation page, and follow the embassy or consulate’s instructions. Some embassies and consulates may require a printed photo at the interview.[1][4]
If you need a printed copy, use a photo kiosk that can print the tool’s sheet on ordinary 4 × 6-inch photo paper. Choose the 4 × 6-inch print size, then cut out the 2 × 2-inch photo along its edges. Check that the printed photo is square and that the head and eye measurements match the paper-photo rules. If the kiosk cannot print the sheet at its original size, use another print option; resizing the sheet can change the photo dimensions.
If you scan a printed photo for upload, it still needs to meet the digital file rules. The Department of State says an existing photo must be 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) and scanned at 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter).[2]
Common reasons a photo may be refused
A photo may fail if it has a colored or patterned background, a shadow on the face, poor focus, or a head that is too large or too small in the frame. A face turned away from the camera, closed eyes, or an expression that is not neutral can also cause a problem.[1][3]
Other problems include glasses without the rare medical exception, a head covering that hides part of the face or casts a shadow, headphones, or clothing that does not meet the rules. Photos copied or scanned from a driver’s license or another official document are not accepted. The Department also lists snapshots, magazine photos, low-quality vending-machine or mobile-phone photos, and full-length photographs as unacceptable. Do not digitally enhance or alter the image to change your appearance.[1][2]
Take a new photo if the image no longer reflects your current appearance. The Department says a photo should have been taken within the last six months; significant facial surgery or trauma, many or large facial piercings or tattoos, and significant weight loss or gain may require a new one. Even a photo that meets the listed rules can be refused because the embassy or consulate decides whether to accept it.[1]
Frequently asked questions
What size is a U.S. visa photo for the DS-160?
A printed photo is 2 × 2 inches (50.8 × 50.8 mm). The digital file must be square and between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels.[3]
Can I wear glasses in my U.S. visa photo?
Usually, no. Glasses are allowed only in rare medical circumstances when they cannot be removed, and you must provide a signed medical statement.[1]
Do I need to bring a printed photo to my visa interview?
If your DS-160 confirmation page shows your photo, you do not need a separate print for the DS-160. If the photo box shows an “X,” bring one printed photo with the confirmation page. Some embassies or consulates may have additional instructions.[1][4]