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.
Your photos or digital images must be:
In color
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.
Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis
Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
If you normally wear glasses (without tinted lenses), a hearing device, or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.
Dark glasses or glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable.
Glare on glasses is not acceptable in your photo. Glare can be avoided with a slight downward tilt of the glasses or by removing the glasses or by turning off the camera flash.
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:
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigrant Visas
Diversity Visa (DV) Program
Additional Information
Tips for taking photos yourself
Change of Appearance
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Requirements for Nonimmigrant Visas
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.
Additional Requirements for Immigrant Visas
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:
Printed on photo quality paper
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size
Additional Requirements for the Diversity Visa (DV) Program
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:
In JPEG (.jpg) file format
Equal to or less than 240 kB (kilobytes) in file size
In a square aspect ratio (height must equal width)
600x600 pixels in dimension
Do you want to scan an existing photo? In addition to the digital image requirements, your existing photo must be:
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
Scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter)
Diversity Visa Program Selectees
Each DV applicant will need to bring two (2) identical photos to the interview. Your photos must be:
Printed on photo quality paper
2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size
Do you want to take the photo yourself?
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.
Photo Composition Template
Digital Image Requirements
Use the Department of State’s free photo tool to:
Start Photo Tool
select a digital image stored on your computer
resize and rotate it if necessary
crop it to a square image of exactly 600 x 600 pixels, and
save it to your computer for printing
Start Photo Tool
This tool requires Adobe Flash Player 10 or later.
Taking photos of your baby or toddler
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