US visa photo requirements: digital upload and prints

Nonimmigrant visa and DS-160

For many visitor, student and temporary-work visa applications, Form DS-160 instructs the applicant to upload a digital photo. Check the confirmation page after submission. The State Department explains that if the confirmation page shows the photo, the upload succeeded and a separate print is generally not required. If an “X” appears where the image should be, bring one printed photo that meets the requirements.

An embassy or consulate can still publish location-specific instructions or ask applicants to bring a print. Review the appointment notice and the website of the post where you will apply.

Immigrant visa and DS-260

Applicants using Form DS-260 must provide two identical photographs at the immigrant-visa interview. Each print must be 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) and produced on photo-quality paper. Do not assume that a successful digital crop removes the need for physical prints.

Diversity Visa entrants have a separate 600 × 600 pixel entry workflow. If that is your application, use the DV Lottery photo checklist instead.

Digital file specifications

• Square aspect ratio, between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels.
• JPEG file format and no more than 240 KB.
• Colour image using the sRGB colour space.
• Head height between 50% and 69% of the complete image height.
• Eye height between 56% and 69% of the image height, measured from the bottom.

If scanning an acceptable 2 × 2 inch print, use 300 pixels per inch. A scan cannot rescue a scratched, low-quality or altered original.

Appearance and composition

Look straight at the camera with both eyes open and a neutral expression. Keep the complete face visible, including the jawline. Eyeglasses are generally not permitted in US visa photos unless a rare medical exception is documented. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are not acceptable.

Religious head coverings worn daily may be allowed, but they must not obscure the face or create shadows. Uniforms should not be worn except religious clothing worn every day. Hearing aids and similar devices normally worn may remain.

Do not digitally alter the portrait

The State Department says photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change the applicant’s appearance. Do not apply beauty filters, smooth skin, change facial proportions, erase scars, add hair or reconstruct parts of the face with AI. Photos copied from a driver’s licence or another official document are not acceptable.

Crop and resize a strong original conservatively. If the background, lighting or focus is poor, taking another photograph is safer than attempting a heavy repair.

Common reasons to retake the photo

• The photo is older than six months or no longer reflects your appearance.
• The head is too small, too large, tilted or partly cropped.
• Glare, hard shadows, blur or compression artifacts reduce clarity.
• The background is patterned, coloured or visibly replaced.
• The applicant wears glasses or the eyes are obstructed.
• A filter or retouching has changed the natural likeness.

Official sources

Use the US Department of State photo requirements, its digital image requirements and the DS-160 FAQs. The embassy or consulate handling the application controls local filing instructions and final acceptance.