United States visa photo size

Requirements

Photo size	51 × 51 mm  (2.01 × 2.01 in)
Head height	50–69% of the photo height
Eye line	about 38% down from the top edge
Background	Plain white or off-white
Digital size	600–1200 × 600–1200 px, up to 240 KB
File format	jpeg
Retouching	Not allowed. The photo must not be digitally altered beyond cropping.
Background replacement	Not allowed. Shoot against a wall of the required colour.
Where to take it	You can take this photo yourself.

• Glasses are not allowed.
• A neutral expression or a natural slight smile is accepted.

Source: travel.state.gov visa digital-image-requirements. Rules change — check the issuing authority before you submit.

How the visa photo is submitted

Submission

• Online application: upload a digital photo.
  upload your digital image as part of completing the online visa application form travel.state.gov
• The photo can be taken at the application office.
  have their photo taken when the applicant submits to biometric collection fam.state.gov
• Applications at an embassy or consulate: a printed photo is submitted.
  Some embassies and consulates require visa applicants to bring one (1) photo travel.state.gov
• U.S. nonimmigrant visa: if the photo upload fails, a physical photo may be submitted to the consular section.
  may submit a physical photo to the consular section fam.state.gov

If you hand in a printed photo

• Not glued or mounted.
  un-mounted, full-face photographs fam.state.gov

Who can take the photo

• The authority recommends a professional photo service, but does not require one.
  we recommend you use a professional visa photo service travel.state.gov
• The authority allows a photo taken without a studio — its own wording is below.
  you may take the photo yourself travel.state.gov

Rules the authority states for this photo

• No filters, retouching or digital changes.
  Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered travel.state.gov
• Face the camera directly.
  shown in full frontal view fam.state.gov
• Eyes open and clearly visible.
  with the eyes wide open fam.state.gov
• Neutral expression.
  have a neutral facial expression fam.state.gov

Questions

What size is a United States visa photo?

51 × 51 mm (2.01 × 2.01 in). A digital file is 600–1200 × 600–1200 px.

Can I take a United States visa photo with my phone?

Yes. PhotoSpec crops to 51 × 51 mm and checks the framing before you save. Photos are processed on the phone and are not uploaded.

How it differs from other United States documents

• Passport — digital file 600–1200×600–1200 px, 240 KB here, 600×600 px, 10 MB there
• Residence permit — same published size, background, digital file and capture rules as this document
• Work permit — same published size, background, digital file and capture rules as this document
• Citizenship — same published size, background, digital file and capture rules as this document

Related tools and guides

• Check a photo file against these limits
• Resize and compress a photo file
• Lay out this photo on a 4×6, Letter or A4 print sheet
• All supported countries