Visa

Specifications

FAQ

Bullets are grouped from this country’s requirement text and spec fields. If a topic has no matching lines in our data, we show common international-style guidance—always confirm with your issuer.

1.Photo basics & quality▼

• Final print size for this preset: 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm).
• Your photo is a vital part of your visa application. To learn more, review the information below on how to provide a suitable photo. Digital images are required for some visa categories, while photos are required for other visa categories. The acceptance of your digital image or photo is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.
• We recommend you use a professional visa photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements.
• Review the Photo Examples to see examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos. Photos copied or digitally scanned from driver’s licenses or other official documents are not acceptable. In addition, snapshots, magazine photos, low quality vending machine or mobile phone photos, and full-length photographs are not acceptable.
• Please review the additional photo requirements for:
• Additional Information
• Applicants using Form DS-160 or Form DS-1648
• If you are applying for a nonimmigrant visa by filling out the DS-160 or DS-1648 online form, the form will instruct you to upload your digital image as part of completing the online visa application form. Review the Digital Image Requirements, which also provide additional requirements if you are scanning an existing photo.
• Some embassies and consulates require visa applicants to bring one (1) photo, which meets requirements, to the interview. Review the embassy or consulate instructions where you will apply to learn more.
• Applicants using Form DS-260
• If you are applying for an immigrant visa, using Form DS-260, you must provide two (2) identical photos at your immigrant visa interview. Your photos must be:
• Diversity Visa Program Entrants
• If you are entering the Diversity Visa (DV) Program online, you must upload your digital image as part of your entry. Your digital image must be:
• Do you want to scan an existing photo? In addition to the digital image requirements, your existing photo must be:
• Each DV applicant will need to bring two (2) identical photos to the interview. Your photos must be:
• While we recommend you use a professional visa photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements, you may take the photo yourself. Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance in any way. Please review the following technical requirements and references for guidance on taking your own photo.
• If your photo(s) or digital image does not reflect your current appearance, even if it is not older than 6 months, the U.S. embassy or consulate will request that you provide a new photo with your application.
• Applicants will be requested to obtain a new photo if they have:
• Generally, if you can still be identified from the photo in your visa application, you will not need to submit a new photo. For example, growing a beard or coloring your hair would not generally be considered a significant change of appearance.
• Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
• Always confirm the latest rules with the official issuing authority or online application portal before you submit.
• Printed dimensions for this preset: 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm), 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm).
• Suggested print resolution: 600 DPI (confirm with your issuer).
• Typical digital dimensions when specified: 600 × 600 px (confirm upload requirements).
• A printable physical photo may be required for this document type (when applicable).
• Online submission with a digital file may be required (check the current application flow).
• Photo paper when printing: matte.

2.Pose & expression▼

• Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details.
• Head size in frame: Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head

3.Attire & accessoriesInternational standards▼

• Everyday clothing; no uniform or uniform-like outfit unless your issuer allows it.
• Follow official rules for glasses, hats, and religious or medical head coverings—many passport programs require removing glasses.
• Keep the face unobstructed (hair off the eyes unless your authority says otherwise).

4.Lighting & background▼

• Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
• Background (summary): White — plain and evenly lit unless your issuer specifies a different tone.

5.Children & infants▼

• When taking a photo of your baby or toddler, no other person should be in the photo, and your child should be looking at the camera with his or her eyes open.
• Lay your baby on his or her back on a plain white or off-white sheet. This will ensure your baby's head is supported and provide a plain background for the photo. Make certain there are no shadows on your baby's face, especially if you take a picture from above with the baby lying down.
• Cover a car seat with a plain white or off-white sheet and take a picture of your child in the car seat. This will also ensure your baby’s head is supported
• If the appearance of your child under the age of 16 has changed due to the normal aging process, he or she will generally not have to provide a new photo. However, the acceptance of your photo or digital image is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.

Visual guide

Illustrative reference photos served from a third-party CDN. Use only as informal guidance; follow your official instructions.

How to make this photo

1. 1.Step 1: Use a digital camera or a smartphone

   • —Find someone to take the photo for you and selfie photo is not acceptable for passport photo application. If you have a tripod, use it. A tripod will make it easier to keep the camera steady and level. The distance of the person to the camera should be around 1 meter.

2. 2.Step 2: Find a venue with good lighting

   • —When taking photo, you should face the light, such as a nice bright window or the door. This can provide even lighting to avoid shadows on the face and background. The face must be evenly lit. There should be no shadows and glares on the face.
   • —Note: A simple wall is fine; you can tidy or replace the background while editing.

3. 3.Step 3: Wear properly for your passport photo

   • —Do not wear uniforms. Wear regular street clothes in your photo.
   • —Do not wear eyeglasses. If you wear glasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses, take them off for your passport photo.
   • —Your face must still be fully visible. Don’t let your hair drape over your face and obscure your eyes. If you have very long bangs that cover your eyebrows, you should pin them back with bobby pins. It’s best if your ears show, as well, but that won’t cause your photo to be rejected.
   • —No hats are allowed in passport photos unless it is religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke that you wear every day.

4. 4.Step 4: Pose for a passport

   • —Look straight towards the camera with face straight on. Head should not be tilted or rotated.
   • —Both ears showing or both edges of the face visible if hair covers the ears.
   • —Shoulders should be visible, and there should be enough space around the head for cropping the photo.
   • —Position the camera in the same height as the head.

5. 5.Step 5: Have a neutral facial expression

   • —You can smile in your passport photos, but the government prefers that you have a neutral facial expression.
   • —Smiling or having your mouth open is usually not acceptable, especially under the new international passport rules.
   • —Online Passport Photo Generator