US Visa Photo: Specifications and Guidelines [And a Hassle-Free Visa Photo Tool]

U.S. Visa photo requirements

If you want to apply for the U.S. visa, you will need to fill out the visa application form and attach to it two identical photos in color, and submit these documents to the U.S. Embassy. When it comes to the U.S. visa photo requirements, they are set forth by the U.S. Department of State, and must be closely followed in order for your application to be accepted. 

Below we will discuss the photo requirements for the U.S. visa, and also show you how to take and prepare your own U.S. visa photo online. 

U.S. visa photo size

The required photo size is 2 x 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm). Small framing is also allowed. You can use a dedicated online photo tool to adjust the size of your picture.

In the visa picture, only the face, the area around the collarbone, and upper part of the shoulder should be seen. Remember to place your head exactly in the central spot of the picture and fill 50-69% of the whole photo. Your eyes should be positioned approximately 28-35 mm from the bottom edge.

A cropping tool for your U.S. visa photo will be helpful, as incorrectly cropped pictures are not accepted.

U.S. visa photo - background and lighting

The only allowed background is plain white or off-white background without any shadows. This might be difficult to achieve without any tools while taking pictures at home, but here’s where our Passport Photo Online tool may help by converting any unwanted background into the required white one.

Since unclear or blurry pictures are not accepted, natural light is best. The photo must reflect your natural skin tone. The best idea is to take a picture standing frontally to the window, at about a 2-meter distance, making sure that the light is evenly distributed on your face. You could use a tripod or ask someone to help you as selfies are not acceptable.

Head position and facial expression on the U.S. visa photo

The photo must be taken from the frontal view with your eyes turned directly toward the camera. You must keep your eyes open and your mouth closed - you can’t show your teeth in the photo. A neutral facial expression is recommended, but you can also smile slightly, without exaggerating.

Glasses and hands-free tools in the U.S. visa photo

Glasses aren’t allowed in U.S. visa photos, with the exception of rare occasions, such as having recently undergone eye surgery and wearing glasses for protection. Such applicants should provide a medical statement signed by a medical professional or health practitioner to the embassy or consulate.

Keeping sunglasses on is not allowed either. Headphones and wireless hands-free devices are also not allowed, whereas a hearing device may be worn in the photo.

• Your eyes must be visible - the frames of the glasses must not cover your eyes.
• Glare on glasses that obscures the eyes makes the picture unacceptable.
• Shadows or refraction on your face are not allowed. 

Clothing in the U.S. visa photo

You can wear what you like, e.g. casual-style clothing. Uniforms and camouflage patterns are not allowed. Applicants can wear religious clothing if they wear it on a daily basis. If you do wear traditional religious attire as part of your everyday outfit, you will be required to provide a signed note proving it.

Jewelry and piercings are acceptable in the photo if they do not obscure your face.

Hats and head coverings in the U.S. visa photo

You may wear a hijab or hat only if they don’t cover your face below the hairline, and you can prove that they are a part of traditional religious attire. Applicants must submit a signed document stating that they wear items such as a hijab or yarmulke for religious reasons. Niqabs which cover most of the face are not allowed, neither are headbands or massive, decorative hair accessories as they may obscure your face. In the photo your full face must be visible without being obscured by shadows.

Using filters and Photoshop 

Applicants cannot use graphic design programs or filters to correct their face and/or the background. Any alterations, such as background removal, should be handled by photo professionals who are familiar with the visa photo requirements and have prepared tons of similar photos. 

How old can your photo for a U.S. visa be?

It’s crucial to remember that your photo must not be older than 6 months. However, if your appearance has changed significantly within the last 6 months, you must submit a new picture. This requirement does not apply to changes in hairstyle or having grown a beard. Also, children and teenagers under 16 years old will not be asked to provide a new photo for their U.S. visa, even if they have changed due to their natural growth process. Applicants need to submit a new image for a U.S. visa if: 

• they have had a gender change.
• they have undergone significant facial surgery or experienced a permanent facial deformation.
• they have added or removed tattoos or piercings on their face.
• they have lost or gained a significant amount of weight.

You may be asking yourself: where do I take a U.S. visa photo near me?

Many candidates want to know whether it is possible to take a picture for their U.S. visa with a smartphone or digital camera. Understandably, many people wish to avoid visiting a professional photographic studio or even a drugstore for many reasons such as travel expenses or time. You’re in luck if you live in a big city and don’t need to spend one or two hours on the bus or subway, followed by waiting in line and then for the photographer. 

In uncertain times such as pandemics, many people also might want to avoid spending time in public places due to obvious reasons, caring about their health and that of their loved ones. Is there any better and safer solution? 

Try and trust our online photo editor which adjusts the background, crops, resizes, and checks your photo, with all this taking no more than a couple of minutes!

Upload your pictures on passport-photo.online, follow simple instructions, and our tool will do the job for you!

U.S. visa photo tool - take and check images online 

If you are looking for a reliable online software to take your U.S. visa photo without leaving your comfortable place, test passport-photo.online now!

The software is a professional ready-to-use solution that supports you at every stage of the process: uploading images, resizing, cropping, editing, and checking the final photos to be sure pictures meet the official requirements.

Every picture prepared with passport-photo.online has the guarantee of acceptance by the institution you are applying to. You can order a digital image to be sent to your email address to print on your own in a print shop or pharmacy in your area. Alternatively, passport-photo.online will print images and deliver them to your preferred address.

Let’s sum up - save your time and money, and forget about visiting photo booths or photo centers. Use our photo software from the comfort of your home and take perfect photos for a U.S. visa with guaranteed compliance.

Photo requirements are based on: travel.state.gov
Last update: 6/6/23