United States Visa Photo requirements
Every US visa — tourist (B-2), student (F-1), work (H-1B, L-1), and all other categories — requires the same photo: 2 × 2 inches on a white background. You upload it digitally when completing Form DS-160 (nonimmigrant visas) or DS-260 (immigrant visas). The specification is identical to a US passport photo, so one image works for both.
- Photo dimensions
- 2 × 2 in
- Head size
- 1–1⅜ in, chin to top of hair
- Background
- white
- Download resolution
- 300 DPI
- 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) — same dimensions as a US passport photo.
- Head 1 – 1⅜ inches (25 – 35 mm) from chin to top of head.
- Plain white or off-white background.
- No glasses, hats, or headwear (except for religious reasons).
- Neutral expression, both eyes open and fully visible, facing the camera directly.
- Taken within the last 6 months — a current likeness is required.
- Submitted digitally via Form DS-160 (nonimmigrant) or DS-260 (immigrant); no print required at most consulates.
- Resolution: 300 DPI.
Official photo guidelines
How to take a good photo at home
- Find a plain wall in good natural light — face a window so the light falls evenly across your face, with no shadows on your cheeks or the background.
- Ask someone to photograph you at eye level, far enough back that your head and shoulders both fit in the frame. A phone camera works fine.
- Upload the photo above. The editor detects your face, draws guide lines so you can confirm your head is within the 25–35 mm range, then crops and sizes everything automatically.
- Download and print the 4×6 sheet at a pharmacy or photo kiosk — usually a fraction of the cost of a dedicated passport photo service. Set print size to "actual size" (not "fit to page"), then cut along the grey lines to get four individual photos.
Common reasons photos are rejected
- Shadows on the face or background — caused by standing too close to the wall or shooting with harsh overhead light.
- Head out of range — too big or too small. Use the green guide lines in the editor to verify.
- Glasses — banned outright for most documents since 2016–2018.
- Not looking directly at the camera, or expression not neutral (open-mouth smiles are rejected).
- Photo printed to fit the page instead of at actual size — this scales the photo and changes the effective head size.
- Photo older than 6 months — authorities want a current likeness.
Requirements can change without notice. Always verify against the official government source before submitting.