Your photos or digital images must be:

• In color
• Sized 
  • Paper Photo Head Size 
    • Photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches
    • Height of the head (top of hair to bottom of chin) should be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inch (25 mm - 35 mm).
    • The eye height should be between 1 1/8 inches and 1 3/8 inches (28 mm - 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
  • Digital Image Head Size
    • A head image must cover between 50% and 69% of the total height of the image, including hair.Eye height is measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes, which should be between 56% and 69% of the image's height.
    • The image pixel dimensions must have a square aspect ratio (that is, the height must be equal to the width).Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 pixels (width) x 600 pixels (height). Maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 pixels (width) x 1200 pixels (height).
    • 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 a hearing device, or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.
• New visa photos no longer allow eyeglasses, with the exception of rare circumstances when eyeglasses are necessary for medical reasons; for example, a patient who has recently undergone eye surgery and wears eyeglasses to protect their eyes.In these cases, a medical professional/health practitioner's signature is required. In the event that the eyeglasses are accepted for medical reasons:
  • An eyeglass frame cannot cover an eye.
  • Ensure that eyeglasses do not have glare that obscures the eye(s).
  • There must not be shadows or refraction from the eyeglasses that obscures the eye(s).

Digital U.S. Visa Photo Requirements:

Printed U.S. Visa Photo Requirements

A printed U.S. visa photo must:

Measure exactly 2 x 2 inches, or 51 x 51 mm.

Be printed in color.

Be printed on photo-quality paper.

Show your full head from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin.

Have a plain white or off-white background.

Be clear, sharp and properly exposed.

Be free from stains, creases, holes or damage.

Do not print the image on ordinary office paper.

If you are scanning an existing printed photo, scan it at a minimum resolution of 300 pixels per inch. The final scanned image must still meet the required square dimensions and file-size limits.

U.S. Visa Photos for Babies and Children

Babies and young children also need their own visa photo, even newborns.

For a baby photo, it’s usually easiest to lay the baby on a plain white or off-white sheet and take the picture from directly above. The baby’s face should be clearly visible, with nothing covering it.

Try to make sure no one else appears in the frame, and remove anything that could distract from the face, such as toys, bottles, or pacifiers. It also helps to avoid shadows around the head so the features are easy to see.

If you’re using a car seat, you can cover it with a plain white or off-white cloth and place the baby inside for the photo.

For older infants and small children, they should ideally be facing the camera with their eyes open. With newborns, a bit of flexibility is usually allowed, as long as the face is visible and not covered.

How Our U.S. Visa Photo Tool Helps to Create 2X2 inch US visa photo

Our online U.S. visa photo maker helps prepare a compliant US visa photo for your U.S. visa application.

The tool can help you create a square visa photo:

• Resize the image to 600 x 600 pixels
• Prepare a 2 x 2-inch printed photo
• Position the head within the required area
• Create a JPEG image
• Reduce the file size for online submission
• Prepare a printable 2X2 inch photo layout

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the U.S. visa photo size?

A printed U.S. visa photo must measure 2 x 2 inches, or 51 x 51 mm. A digital photo must be square and between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels.

Does a U.S. visa photo have to be exactly 600 x 600 pixels?

No. Digital U.S. visa photos may generally range from 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 pixels. A 600 x 600 image is commonly used because it meets the minimum accepted dimensions.

Where can I print a 2×2 passport photo?

You can print a 2×2 passport photo at:

• home if you have a color printer
• Photo-printing stores
• Pharmacies with photo departments
• Professional photo studios
• Retail photo centers
• Shipping and office-service stores
• Online photo-printing services with store pickup

You can either upload a completed passport photo for printing or visit a location that offers both photography and printing.

Before ordering, confirm that the service will print the image at the exact 2×2-inch size without automatically enlarging, shrinking, or cropping it.

How to print a 2×2 passport photo at home?

To print a passport photo at home:

1. Confirm that the photo meets all passport requirements.
2. Set the image size to exactly 2×2 inches.
3. Arrange multiple 2×2 photos on a 4×6-inch photo sheet when necessary.
4. Select Actual Size or 100% scale in the print settings.
5. Turn off options such as Fit to Page, automatic resizing, or borderless enlargement if they change the dimensions.
6. Print in color using a high-quality setting.
7. Use matte or glossy photo paper.
8. Measure the printed image to confirm it is exactly 51×51 mm.
9. Cut carefully along the edges.

What file format is required?

The digital image should be saved in JPEG or JPG format.

How to Take a Free 2×2 Passport Photo with an iPhone?

You can take a passport photo for free using the built-in Camera app on your iPhone.

Use the rear camera for the clearest image, and turn off Portrait mode, filters, and any beauty or enhancement settings. Ask someone else to take the picture while you stand in front of a plain white or off-white background. Position the phone at eye level and look directly at the camera.

Leave enough space around your head and shoulders so the image can be cropped correctly. After taking the photo, crop it into a square and resize it to exactly 2×2 inches.

A passport photo cropping tool can help you adjust the size and head position. Avoid apps that digitally smooth your skin, alter facial features, or apply artificial enhancements.

Can I wear glasses in a U.S. visa photo?

Eyeglasses are generally not allowed in U.S. visa photos unless there is a rare medical exception. In most cases, you should remove them to avoid glare or obstruction.

Can I submit a black-and-white photo?

No. U.S. visa photos must be in color.

What should I do if my photo is rejected?

Review the rejection message and compare the photo with the size, background, pose and file requirements.

Take a new photo when the reason is unclear. Do not repeatedly edit an unsuitable photo, especially when the face, lighting or background is incorrect.

Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/photo-examples.html

For other U.S. document photo requirements, please check the links below: 

United States Passport 2x2 inch (51x51 mm, 5.1x5.1 cm)

United States DV lottery 2x2 inch (51x51 mm, 5.1x5.1 cm)

United States Green card 2x2 inch (51x51 mm, 5.1x5.1 cm)

United States NY MTA Metrocard for Seniors 1.5x2 inch

United States NY Gun License 1.5x1.5 inch