On this page
Specifications
Every measurable requirement, in the same order on every country page. Bracketed numbers point to the official source below.
| Printed photo | ||
|---|---|---|
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | [1] |
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) | [4] |
| Eye position | 1⅛–1⅜ in (28–35 mm) from the bottom edge | [4] |
| Background | Plain white or off-white | [1] |
| Print resolution | 300 ppi (12 px/mm) minimum — required when scanning an existing photo | [3] |
| Paper | Photo-quality paper | [1] |
| Copies required | Not specified by the authority | |
| Digital upload | ||
| Pixel size | 600 × 600 px minimum, 1200 × 1200 px maximum, square | [3] |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) | [3] |
| File size | ≤ 240 KB | [3] |
| Colour | Color, 24 bits per pixel, sRGB color space | [3] |
| Validity | ||
| Taken within | Within the last 6 months | [1] |
| Also specified | ||
| Head height (digital image, top of hair to chin) — percentage of frame | 50–69% of the image's total height | [4] |
| Eye height (digital image) — percentage of frame | 56–69% of the image's height, measured from the bottom | [4] |
| Size and head height — passport photo standard | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm); head 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) — passport photo standard | [2] |
| Photo copies — nonimmigrant visa interview, where a printed photo is requested | One (1) photo | [1] |
| Photo copies — DS-260 immigrant visa interview | Two (2) identical photos | [1] |
| Photo copies — Diversity Visa (DV) program interview | Two (2) identical photos | [1] |
| Compression ratio (if compression is needed to meet the file-size limit) | ≤ 20:1 | [3] |
| Eyeglasses accepted for medical reasons — frame and glare conditions | Frames must not cover the eyes; no glare, shadows, or refraction on the lenses that obscures the eyes | [1] |
Rules
What is allowed and what is refused. Same ten rows on every page; “Conditional” means allowed only as described.
| Expression | Required | Neutral facial expression [1] |
| Eyes | Required | Both eyes open [1] |
| Glasses | Conditional | Not allowed, except in rare cases where they cannot be removed for medical reasons (e.g. recent ocular surgery), with a signed medical statement [1] |
| Head covering | Conditional | Not allowed if it obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for religious reasons; full face must remain visible with no shadow cast by the covering [1] |
| Hair | Not specified | — |
| Ears | Not specified | — |
| Clothing | Conditional | Normal daily clothing; no uniforms, except religious clothing worn daily [1] |
| Retouching / filters | Not allowed | Not allowed — no digital enhancement or alteration of appearance [1] |
| Shadows and objects | Conditional | A worn head covering must not cast shadows on the face [1] |
| Infants and children | Required | No other person may be in the photo; the child should be looking at the camera with eyes open [1] |
Notes and common mistakes
The 2 × 2 in photo size and the composition template are two different things
The Department of State states the outer photo size on its main photo requirements page [1], and separately publishes a Photo Composition Template that defines where the head and eyes must fall inside that frame [4]. For a printed photo, the template gives the head height as a fraction of an inch — for example 1 3/8 inches — measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin [4]. For a digital image, it gives the same measurement as a percentage of the frame instead [4]. A photo that matches only the outer 2 × 2 in size can still fail the template’s separate head- and eye-placement figures [4]. The main requirements page itself pairs that same 1–1⅜ inch head-height range with 22–35 mm [1], a millimeter figure that does not match the standard inch conversion; this page instead uses the Composition Template’s 25–35 mm pairing for the same range [4], which is internally consistent with 1 inch equaling 25.4 mm.
Common reasons visa photos get rejected
- Glasses are refused unless they cannot be removed for a medical reason and a signed medical statement is provided [1].
- A head covering that obscures the hair or hairline is accepted only when worn daily for religious reasons, with the full face visible and no shadow cast by the covering [1].
- Uniforms are not accepted; normal daily clothing is required, except religious clothing worn daily [1].
- The expression must be neutral, with both eyes open [1].
- The background must be plain white or off-white [1].
- Any digital enhancement or alteration of appearance is not allowed [1].
- The photo must have been taken within the last six months [1].
The exceptions are narrow, not blanket allowances
Eyeglasses require a signed medical statement tied to a real medical reason, not just a preference to keep them on [1]. A head covering that obscures the hair or hairline requires it being worn daily for religious observance, not situational preference [1]. For infant photos, no other person may appear in the frame, and the child should be looking at the camera with eyes open [1].
Countries with the same photo size
2 × 2 in India Philippines Saudi Arabia
Questions
Can I wear glasses in a U.S. visa photo?
Glasses are not allowed, except in rare cases where they cannot be removed for medical reasons, such as recent ocular surgery [1]. Those cases require a signed medical statement, and even then the frames must not cover the eyes, with no glare, shadows, or refraction on the lenses that obscures the eyes [1].
Can I wear a head covering or religious clothing in my visa photo?
A head covering that obscures the hair or hairline is allowed only if it is worn daily for religious reasons; the full face must remain visible and the covering must not cast a shadow on the face [1]. Normal daily clothing is required — uniforms are not allowed, but religious clothing worn daily is [1].
What happens if I over-compress a digital photo to get it under the file-size limit?
If a digital image needs to be compressed to fit under the file-size ceiling, the compression ratio must stay at or below 20:1 [3].
How many printed photos should I bring to my visa interview?
Bring one (1) photo if a printed photo is requested for a nonimmigrant visa interview [1]. Bring two (2) identical photos for a DS-260 immigrant visa interview [1]. Bring two (2) identical photos for a Diversity Visa (DV) program interview [1]. Printed photos should be on photo-quality paper [1].
Sources
Every value above is taken from the following official documents. If a source disagrees with this page, the source is right — tell us. Report an error.
- [1] Photo Requirements — U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
https://web.archive.org/web/20260709203317/https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html - [2] U.S. Passport Photos — U.S. Department of State (cited only for the passport-standard comparison row)
https://web.archive.org/web/20260524155455/https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html - [3] Digital Image Requirements — U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
https://web.archive.org/web/20260702071619/https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/digital-image-requirements.html - [4] Photo Composition Template — U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs
https://web.archive.org/web/20260711130011/https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/photo-composition-template.html