What are the US visa photo requirements?
A US visa photo must be square: 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 pixels, JPEG, 240 KB or smaller, in colour, with the head taking 50% to 69% of the image height, on a white or off-white background, taken in the last 6 months, without glasses. FixDoks makes a 600 x 600 pixel file under 240 KB and a 2 x 2 inch print.
US Visa Photo at a glance
| Digital size | Square, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px |
|---|---|
| File | JPEG, 240 KB or less, 24-bit colour (sRGB) |
| Processing | In your browser; your files are not uploaded |
| Price | Free to use, no watermark |
| Download | First download free, then ₹49 for 2 months of unlimited downloads (US$3 outside India) |
| Files at once | 1 free, up to 30 with a plan |
| Works on | Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox on Windows, Mac, Android and iPhone |
How to use US Visa Photo
- Take a photo against a plain wall in even light, facing the camera, or pick a recent one.
- Click Select your photo. The size for this document is already chosen.
- Move and zoom the frame so the head fits the dashed oval. Use Make background white if the wall is not plain.
- Click Create passport photo and download the photo or the print sheet.
What the digital image rules say
For the DS-160 and the Diversity Visa entry, the State Department's digital image rules are specific. The image must be square, with a minimum of 600 x 600 pixels and a maximum of 1200 x 1200 pixels. It must be a colour JPEG (24 bits per pixel, sRGB), 240 KB or smaller, and the compression ratio should be 20:1 or lower. The Diversity Visa entry asks for exactly 600 x 600 pixels. If you scan an existing print instead, the print must be 2 x 2 inches and scanned at 300 pixels per inch.
What the photo must show
The head must measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches, or 50% to 69% of the image height, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The photo must be taken within the last 6 months, in front of a plain white or off-white background, facing the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open. Wear what you normally wear every day. Uniforms are not allowed, except religious clothing worn daily. Headphones and wireless hands-free devices are not acceptable.
Eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos except in rare cases where they cannot be removed for medical reasons, such as recent eye surgery. A medical statement from a medical professional is required in those cases. Hearing devices you normally wear may stay on. A head covering is allowed only when worn daily for a religious purpose, with the full face visible and no shadows on it.
Taking it yourself
The State Department recommends a professional visa photo service but says you may take the photo yourself, as long as it is not digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance. It warns that most webcams and mobile phones cannot give images of sufficient quality, and that snapshots, low-quality vending machine or mobile phone photos and full-length photographs are not acceptable. For a baby or toddler, lay the child on a plain white or off-white sheet, keep everyone else out of the frame and make sure the eyes are open.
Immigrant visas and changes in appearance
Immigrant visa applicants using the DS-260 bring two identical 2 x 2 inch prints on photo-quality paper to the interview. An embassy can ask for a new photo, even one under 6 months old, after significant facial surgery or trauma, a big change in piercings or tattoos, or major weight loss or gain. Growing a beard or colouring your hair does not usually count.
Source: U.S. Department of State: Visa photo requirements and Digital image requirements, checked October 2026.
US Visa Photo requirements at a glance
| Digital size | Square, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px |
|---|---|
| File | JPEG, 240 KB or less, 24-bit colour (sRGB) |
| Head height | 50% to 69% of the image height (1 to 1 3/8 in on a print) |
| Background | White or off-white |
| Taken | Within the last 6 months |
| Glasses | Not allowed, except rarely for medical reasons |
| Printed photo | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
Rules checked on the official website in September 2026. Requirements can change, so confirm on the official page before you apply. Source: travel.state.gov: Photo requirements for visas.
Digital image rules
The online visa application (DS-160) and the Diversity Visa entry ask you to upload the photo. The State Department's digital rules say the image must be square, between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, in JPEG format, no larger than 240 KB, and compressed no more than 20:1. The Diversity Visa entry uses exactly 600 × 600 pixels, which is the size this tool makes. If you scan a printed photo instead, scan it at 300 pixels per inch.
Pose and glasses
Face the camera with a neutral expression or a natural smile and both eyes open. Glasses are no longer allowed in visa photos except in rare medical cases. Religious head coverings are allowed if they do not cover the face.
How this tool helps
The tool crops your photo to the exact size above at 300 DPI, so a print comes out at the right physical size, and it can fill a 4 × 6 inch sheet with copies and cut lines for a photo shop. For online applications it makes a file with the exact pixel size and file size the form asks for. It cannot judge whether your expression, lighting or pose meets the rules, so check the photo against the list before you submit it.
FixDoks is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government. You submit your application yourself on the official website.