• Why us?
  • How to take a photo?
  • Why us?
  • How to take a photo?
passport photo app iPhone
passport picture app
[email protected]Privacy PolicyTerms and Conditions

Take Your US Visa Photo in Only 3 Seconds

Explore the essential US visa photo requirements—and find out how to take your visa picture with ease at home.

Passport photos examples
3-minute passport photo
Take your picture at home. No driving or waiting in line
3-minute passport photo
Professional service
AI technology + passport photo experts = instant feedback
Professional passport photo service
100% compliance
Acceptance or a double money-back guarantee
100% passport photo compliance

How do our mobile and web apps work?

Snap the perfect biometric passport photo in under 3 minutes!

Find out just how simple it can be!

Take or upload a photo

Take or upload a photo

Use a photo you already have or take a new one. We'll double-check it and make sure it passes all compliance tests.

Get your photo tuned-up by AI

Get your photo tuned-up by AI

Our AI system will crop, resize, and adjust the background of your image.

Get expert verification

Get expert verification

One of our experts will carefully review your passport photo, providing you with feedback in under a minute!

Key benefits of using our passport photo tool

Get comfy at home, grab your phone, and snap a few pictures. End up with a result you’re 100% satisfied with!

Take a passport photo with only your smartphone
Trusted passport photo service
Professional passport photo support
Passport photo acceptance guarantee

Independence

No need to drive or wait in line. Take a photo wherever you are with only your smartphone.

Trusted service

Over a million users worldwide, 18 million photos processed, and thousands of 5-star reviews on TrustPilot.

Professional support

Questions or doubts about your photos? Our photography experts and support agents will be happy to help you out.

Acceptance guarantee

Once you place your order, our AI and human expert will verify your photo to ensure it's 100% compliant.

Passport photo-taking tips

Follow these guidelines to create the perfect passport picture.

Distance from the camera while taking a passport photo
1

Consider the distance

Keep your front-facing camera 16–20 inch (40–50 cm) away from the face. For rear cameras, keep a 4–6 foot (1–2 meter) distance.

face in front of the camera during passport photo
2

Keep your head and body straight

Look directly into the camera and avoid tilting your body. Remember, portrait mode is unacceptable for passport photos.

Passport photo lighting
3

Prepare good lighting

Take your passport photos in a daylight setting, like near a window on a sunny day. Shadows on your face or in the background are not permitted.

US visa photos—technical details

Here’s a quick overview of all requirements for your photo.

Biometric photo
Passport photo size icon

Size

2x2 in

Passport photo resolution icon

Resolution

301 dpi

Online submission icon

Is it suitable for online submission?

Yes

Printable passport photo icon

Is it printable?

Yes

Passport photo background icon

Background Color

Image definition parameters icon

Image definition parameters

Head height: 1.29 in

Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 1.18 in

Need more info on passport photos? Read these FAQs

Your Ultimate Guide to US Visa Photos

If you plan to move to the US, you’ll most likely need an American visa. Let us guide you through the ins and outs of US visa photos, including essential details (like what to wear) and where to find them, both in physical stores and online.

US visa photo guidelines

No matter the type of visa you’re applying for (immigrant, non-immigrant, or DV Program), the rules for biometric photos remain consistent for both printed and digital images.

We’ll walk you through the US Department of State requirements for visa photos plus handy tips for submitting your pictures or bringing them to your visa interview.

In a hurry to get your US visa photo? We’re here to help! Our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android can create visa photos in a snap. Just take a picture, and we'll handle the rest—100% compliance guaranteed!

Unpacking US visa photo guidelines

  • Size: 2x2 inches (51x51 millimeters)
  • Color: Must be in color
  • Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
  • Image clarity: Clear and sharp, without visible blurs
  • Filters: No filters allowed
  • Background: Plain white or off-white
  • Print quality: High-quality
  • Resolution: 300 DPI
  • Digital alterations: No alterations allowed

For online applications like visa Form DS-160, DS-1648, and the DV Program, you’ll need to submit a digital image that meets these requirements:

  • JPEG file format
  • 600x600 pixels in size
  • 240kB in file size

You can also scan a printed visa photograph at a resolution of 300 DPI.

Important: Don’t forget to bring two identical photos to your interview, following the regulations mentioned above.

The finer details of US visa photos

Beyond the technicalities, there are other factors to consider for your US visa photo. Here’s a look at additional rules concerning your appearance, position, and accessories:

Attribute

Description

Facial Expression

Neutral. Smiling is forbidden in biometric photographs

Eyes

Open, looking directly at the camera

Glasses

Banned in visa photos since 2016, except for medical conditions where removal isn’t possible (signed doctor’s/medical statement required)

Hearing Device

Allowed if worn daily

Headgear

Unacceptable unless worn for medical or religious reasons; mustn’t cover facial features or cast shadows

Attire

No universal dress code, but avoid white clothes. Uniforms and camouflage clothing are prohibited

Head Position

Centered, full-frontal view

US visa photo—size specifications

Incorrect sizing often leads to rejection and delays. Ensure your US visa photo has the right dimensions by following these guidelines:

  • Photo size: 2x2 inches (51x51 mm)
  • Head size: between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm)
  • Eye height: between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches

Worried about getting the size right? Try online passport photo tools like PhotoAiD®. This app automatically adjusts your picture size to the chosen document. Create flawless passport and visa photos with our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android.

Digital providers of US visa photos

Struggling to find a nearby photo-taking location? Online photo tools might be your answer. Prepare your US visa photo from the comfort of your home without fretting over the requirements.

We’ve handpicked five popular biometric photo apps for you to compare their features:

Tool

PhotoAiD®

PersoFoto

Pic4Pass

Passport Photo—ID Photo

Passport Photo & ID Maker

User-friendliness

5/5 ⭐

3/5⭐

4/5⭐

3.5/5⭐

4/5⭐

Essential features 

(cropping, resizing, background removal)

✅

❌

❌

❌

❌

Compliance check

✅

❌

✅

❌

❌

Printing service

✅

✅

❌

❌

❌

Premium plan

$13.95

$9.75

❌

$6.99

$6.99

We’ve also reviewed the top four freemium and free passport photo apps. Check it out!

With PhotoAiD®, you can be sure that your US visa photographs will meet all the official requirements and get accepted by the US State Department. Just snap a picture, and let us do the rest!

Last update: 9/26/2023

Discover other documents we support

Canada Visa Photo
Canada Visa Photo
Chinese Visa Photo
Chinese Visa Photo
Green Card Photo
Green Card Photo
Schengen Visa Photo
Schengen Visa Photo
Baby Passport Photo
Baby Passport Photo
US Passport Photo
US Passport Photo
Walgreens Passport Photo
Walgreens Passport Photo
Walmart Passport Photos
Walmart Passport Photos
CVS Passport Photo
CVS Passport Photo
Passport Photos Near Me Now
Passport Photos Near Me Now
Digital Passport Photo
Digital Passport Photo
Rite Aid Passport Photos
Rite Aid Passport Photos
USCIS Photos
USCIS Photos
Photo 2x2 Inches (51x51 Millimetres)
Show more documents

Frequently asked questions

Was this information helpful?

Let us know how useful you found this page

Rate this page

4.7/5

Number of votes: 141

End-to-end passport photo service on your smartphone!

Download our easy-to-use mobile app and let us help you take the perfect photo right from your smartphone. Find all the biometric photographs you need in one place. Monitor your order and get notified when your pictures are ready to use. Available for free for iOS and Android devices.

passport photo app iPhone
passport picture app
National Geographic logo
Forbes logo
Glamour logo
Bloomberg logo
Corriere Della Sera logo
Zapier logo
Our address
PhotoAiD S.A.
ul. Żurawia 71
15-540 Białystok
Poland
Document Types
Official US documentsVisas and other documents needed abroadUniversal size photosOther documentsStudent IDs and University diplomas
Regulations and privacy
Privacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Contact
BlogContact Us[email protected]Free ToolsCareersB2B Offer
Facebook logo
LinkedIn logo
HomeRequirementsOfficial US documents for foreignersUS Visa Photo
Powered by PhotoAiD ®
PrivacyTerms
Choose a language:
Deutsch (Deutschland)Deutsch (Österreich)Deutsch (Schweiz)English (Australia)English (Canada)English (India)English (Ireland)English (New Zealand)English (Singapore)English (UK)English (USA)Español (Chile)Español (Colombia)Español (España)Español (México)Español (Perú)Français (Belgique)Français (Canada)Français (France)Français (Suisse)HrvatskiItaliano (Italia)Italiano (Svizzera)MagyarNederlands (Nederland)PolskiPortuguês (Brasil)Pусский (Россия)RomânăShqipSuomiSvenskaTiếng ViệtTürkУкраїнська中华的日本語