Visas

What visa photos have in common

A visa photo helps officials identify you. The U.S. DS-160, Chinese visa application and Russian visa application each ask for a clear, front-facing photo, but they do not use one shared size. You cannot assume that a photo made for one country will fit another country’s application.

Before you take or crop a photo, confirm which visa form you are completing and whether you need a digital image, a printed photo or both. The U.S. Department of State says the embassy or consulate where you apply decides whether a photo is acceptable.^[1]

Compare the sizes and face position

The U.S. visa photo for DS-160 is square: 50.8 × 50.8 mm (2 × 2 inches). The head must measure 25.4–34.9 mm from chin to top of head, and the eyes must sit 28.6–34.9 mm from the bottom edge. The digital image must be square, at least 600 × 600 pixels and no larger than 1200 × 1200 pixels. Its file must be no larger than 240 KB.^[1]

A Chinese visa photo is 33 × 48 mm. The head must measure 28–33 mm from chin to top of head, with 3–5 mm between the top of the head and the top edge. For the digital photo, the listed range is 354 × 472 to 420 × 560 pixels.^[2][3]

A Russian visa photo is 35 × 45 mm, also a portrait rectangle. The authority does not set a head-height or top-margin measurement in the listed requirements. The listed submission type is printed.^[4][5]

Background, expression and glasses

For the U.S. and Chinese visa photos, use a plain white or off-white background. The Russian photo calls for a white background.^[1][2][3][4]

Use a neutral expression with your mouth closed for the U.S. and Chinese photos. For a Russian visa photo, a neutral expression or a natural smile is allowed. The U.S. and Chinese requirements say to remove glasses unless there is a medical reason; check their source instructions for the conditions. The Russian requirements also say to remove glasses unless there is a medical reason.^[1][2][3][4]

Head coverings are allowed for religious or medical reasons in the U.S. and Chinese requirements, with the face fully visible. The Russian requirements also allow a covering for religious or medical reasons and require the face to remain fully visible.^[1][2][3][4]

Choose the correct size before you crop

Start with the application, not the printer. Check the country, visa type and form number on your instructions. If you are filling in DS-160, select the U.S. 2 × 2 inch photo. For a Chinese visa application, use 33 × 48 mm. For a Russian visa application, use 35 × 45 mm.

Do not stretch one photo size into another. Cropping changes the frame around your face, so review both the paper dimensions and the head measurements after cropping. For the U.S. image, also check the square pixel dimensions and 240 KB maximum file size. The listed Chinese and Russian requirements do not give an exact pixel size or file-size limit.^{[1][6][2][3][4][5]}

Take, crop and print the photo

For a practical starting point, face a window or other soft light, stand in front of a plain light wall, and ask someone to take the photo at eye level. Keep the camera about 1–1.5 metres away, look straight at it, and keep your face unobstructed. Take several shots so you can choose one that is sharp and evenly lit.

Use the tool above to crop the chosen image to the document’s exact dimensions. The photo stays on your device. Check that the top of your head and chin fit the required measurements, then save the result. If the application asks for a digital image, follow its upload instructions; for a printed photo, place the cropped images on a 4 × 6-inch sheet and print it on ordinary photo paper at a kiosk.

Before leaving the kiosk, check the print setting for actual size or 100% scale. Do not choose “fit to page,” which can shrink or enlarge the photos. Measure one cut-out with a ruler and confirm that the sheet printed at 4 × 6 inches. A correct crop and print do not guarantee acceptance; the authority reviewing the application makes that decision.^[1]

Frequently asked questions