United States Visa (2x2 inch) Photo Size Requirements and Online Tool
Make United States Visa Photos Online Now »
| Passport picture size | Width: 2 inch, Height: 2 inch |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Background color | White |
| Printable photo | Yes |
| Digital photo for online submission | Yes |
| Digital photo size | Width: 600 pixels , Height: 600 pixels |
| Photo Paper type | matte |
Do not worry about the photo size requirements. Our online tool makes correct photos, ensuring the photo size and head size are correct. Background will be enhanced as well.
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.
- Paper Photo Head Size
- 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).
The digital image must adhere to the following specifications:
| Dimensions | The image dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (the height must be equal to the width). Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 x 600 pixels. Maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 x 1200 pixels. Please review passport and visa photo requirements for specific dimensions. |
| Color | The image must be in color (24 bits per pixel) in sRGB color space which is the common output for most digital cameras. |
| File Format | The image must be in JPEG file format |
| File Size | The image must be less than or equal to 240 kB (kilobytes). |
| Compression | The image may need to be compressed in order for it to be under the maximum file size. The compression ratio should be less than or equal to 20:1. |
If you want to make passport/visa photos for other countries, click the button below.
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How to make United States Visa photo online
Step 1: Take a picture with a digital camera or a smartphone
Make sure someone takes your passport photo for you. Selfies are not accepted. Make use of your tripod if you have one. By using a tripod, you will be able to keep the camera level and steady. Ideally, the person should be around 1 meter away from the camera.
Step 2: Choose a venue with appropriate lighting
Face a bright window or the door when taking a photo. In this way, shadows can be avoided on the face and in the background. It is essential that the face is evenly lit. Ensure that the face is free of shadows and glares.
Note: You do not need to worry about the background, since our online passport photo generator will automatically do it for you.
Step 3: Dress appropriately for your passport photo
Uniforms should not be worn. Put on regular street clothes for your photo.
Eyeglasses should not be worn. You should remove any sunglasses, tinted glasses, or glasses that you wear if you are taking a passport photo.
Ensure that your face is fully visible. Make sure your hair doesn't cover your face or obscure your eyes. In the case of very long bangs covering your eyebrows, pin them back with bobby pins. Although it's better to show your ears as well, that won't stop your photo from being accepted.
Passport photos don't allow hats unless they're religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke.
Step 4: Pose for a passport photo
Face the camera straight on and look straight at it. Avoid tilting or rotating the head.
It is important that the shoulders are visible, and there should be enough space around the head to crop the picture.
Make sure the camera is at the same level as the head.
Step 5: Maintain neutral facial expressions
It's okay to smile in your passport photo, but the government prefers you to have a neutral facial expression.
Under the new international passport rules, it is usually not acceptable to smile or have your mouth open.
Good and bad examples of passport photos
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