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US visa applications use the same 2 by 2 inch square as the passport. The DS-160 upload must be square, between 600x600 and 1200x1200
pixels and under 240 KB, and you should still bring a printed copy to the interview.
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Photo format
US visa photo50.8 x 50.8 mmHead height 25.4-34.9 mm
Background: White or off-white
Glasses: must be removed
Background
Output
US visa photo uploads must stay under 240 KB. We compress to fit automatically.
Compliance
Upload a photo and every requirement is checked here in real time.
Private by design
Your photo is processed entirely inside this browser tab. It is never uploaded to a server, so there is nothing for us to store, share or leak.
Read the full requirement checklistThe published rules for a 50.8 x 50.8 mm United States visa photo.
A US visa photo is technically identical to a US passport photo: a 2 by 2 inch square with a 1 to 1 3/8 inch head height on a white or off-white background. What differs is how you deliver it. The DS-160 form takes a digital upload with strict pixel and file size limits, while the consulate interview often expects a physical print. Prepare both.
The DS-160 photo tool runs an automated quality check before accepting an upload, and its feedback is generic. In practice the failures are almost always one of: the file exceeding 240 KB, the image not being exactly square, glasses, a non-plain background, or a head outside the permitted range. Each of those is checked and reported here before you download.
The United States does not accept glasses in visa or passport photos, with the only exception being a documented medical reason accompanied by a signed statement. This catches applicants who are used to European rules, where glasses are generally permitted.
Use the print sheet option above to produce a 4x6 inch sheet holding several identical 2 inch squares with dashed cut guides. Photo kiosks at most pharmacies will print a 4x6 for well under a dollar, which gives you copies for the interview and for any follow-up request without another trip.
Accepted vs refused
One compliant photo, five of the faults that cause most rejections.
Read the requirements guideCommon faults to watch for
Neutral expression, even lighting, plain background, head correctly sized and centred.
A side light or overhead lamp leaves one side of the face dark. Face a window instead.
A textured, coloured or shadowed wall. Turn on background replacement to fix this.
Reflections hide the eyes. Most countries want glasses removed entirely.
The head must be square to the camera. Use the straighten slider to correct small tilts.
The crown is cut off and the head exceeds the allowed millimetre range.
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