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.
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
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
Our AI system will crop, resize, and adjust the background of your image.
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!
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.
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.
Keep your head and body straight
Look directly into the camera and avoid tilting your body. Remember, portrait mode is unacceptable for passport photos.
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.
Size
2x2 in
Resolution
301 dpi
Is it suitable for online submission?
Yes
Is it printable?
Yes
Background Color
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.
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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
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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!
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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! |
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