Get Your US Visa Photo Done Right [In 3 Mins]

How does it work?

Get the perfect biometric photo in 3 minutes or less.

Check out just how simple it is!

Snap or upload a photo

That's the only thing you need to do. Snap or upload a photo - we'll take care of the rest.

AI prepares the photo

Artificial Intelligence will check your photo, crop it to the right size and remove the background.

Expert verification

Our Photo Expert will make additional verification to check if your photo meets the official requirements.

Digital or print photos

You can download a digital version and order a printout which we will send within 2-4 days. Delivery is free!

Why?

Take a biometric photo conveniently without leaving home

You save time and money

Convenience

Don't waste time, effort or money. You can take your passport photo without leaving home.

Professional service

Over 1 million people have used our services within the past 11 years. Our Photo Experts are available 24/7.

Money-back guarantee

We guarantee the authorities will accept your photo(s) or we will refund double your purchase cost!

Satisfaction guarantee

Take as many photo shots as you want - you pay only when you are satisfied.

How to take a photo?

Taking a photo for your ID has never been so easy.

Follow these simple instruction to take the perfect ID photo.

Body-camera distance

The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.

Posture: Straight ahead

Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.

Lighting

Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.

US Visa Photo—Specifications

Get Your US Visa Photo Done Right [In 3 Mins]

Size

Width: 2 in

Height: 2 in

Resolution

301 dpi

Is it suitable for online submission?

Yes

Image definition parameters

Head height: 1.29 in

Bottom of the Photo to the Eye Line: 1.18 in

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US Visa Photo - All You Need to Know

Are you planning on moving to the US? In this case, you may need to obtain an American visa. Discover everything you need to know about US visa photos, including their finer details (e.g., what you’re allowed to wear) and where to source them in person and online.

Understanding US visa photo requirements

Regardless of the visa type you need (i.e., immigrant US visa, non-immigrant, and the one from DV Program), the official regulations for biometric photographs stay the same, both for printed and digital pictures.

Here, we will cover the US Department of State requirements for visa photos, as well as some useful tips concerning submitting your photographs or bringing one to your visa interview.

US Visa Photo Requirements: Explained

Requirement	Prints & Digital
Size	2x2 inches (51x51 millimeters)
Color	In color
Recency	Last 6 months
Image clarity	Clear and sharp, without visible blurs
Filters	No filters allowed
Background	Plain white or off-white
Print Quality	High-quality
Resolution	300 DPI
Digital Alterations	No alterations allowed

Note #1: The online applications for visa Form DS-160, DS-1648, and the DV Program require you to submit a digital image. It must meet the following requirements:

JPEG file format
600x600 pixels in size
240kB in file size

You can also scan a printed visa photograph but remember to do so at a resolution of 300 DPI.

Note #2: Apart from a digital visa photo, you must also bring two identical photos to your interview. The images should follow the regulations presented in the table above.

The fine details: specifics of US visa photos

You already know the technical details of US visa photographs, but there’s more to that. Take a look at some additional regulations concerning your appearance, position, and accessories to know what’s better to avoid and what’s safe to choose:

Facial expression: Neutral. Smiling is forbidden in biometric photographs
Eyes: Open, looking directly at the camera
Glasses: Since 2016, wearing glasses has been banned in visa photos. The only exception covers medical conditions in which you can’t take your glasses off. Note that you may need to provide a signed medical statement
Hearing device: You can keep them for your visa photo if that’s something you wear daily
Headgear: Any type of head covering is unacceptable unless it’s worn for medical or religious reasons. However, ensure it doesn’t cover your facial features or cast shadows
Attire: There’s no universally accepted dress code for US biometric photos, but avoid white clothes. Uniforms and camouflage clothing are prohibited
Head position: Centered, full-frontal view

US visa photo sizing details

Sizing is crucial in biometric photographs—oftentimes, incorrect size is the main reason for rejection and delays in an application process. Ensure your photo for an US visa application has proper dimensions by following these guidelines:

Photo size: 2x2 inches (51x51 mm)
Head size: between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm)
Eye height: between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm)

Online services for US visa photos

If it’s hard to find a convenient photo-taking location in your area, give online photo tools a go. With their help, you can stay at home and prepare your US visa photo conveniently without worrying about requirements.

We’ve listed five most popular biometric photo apps for you to compare their functions:

Provider	User-friendliness	Essential features	Large country database	Compliance guarantee & refund	Printing service	Price
Passport Photo Online	5/5	✅	✅	✅	✅	$13.95
Passport Photo & ID Maker	5/5	❌	✅	❌	❌	$6.99
ID Photo For Passports And IDs	4/5	✅	✅	❌	❌	Free
iVisa Passport Photo	3/5	✅	✅	❌	✅	Unclear
Passport Photo-ID Photo	4/5	❌	✅	❌	❌	$6.99

Want to dive into more detailed descriptions? Here we’ve covered the top ten 2x2 photo applications.

Photo requirements are based on: travel.state.gov
Last update: 9/28/23

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

Where can I get a US visa photo?

If you prefer physical visa photo-taking locations, you can always search for “US visa photos near me.” Their photo size is fairly common, so you shouldn’t have any problems finding a proper spot. If not, remember that Passport Photo Online is available from anywhere in the world 24/7.

How do I make a US visa photo?

You can use brick-and-mortar services around you or choose an online tool. We recommend trying Passport Photo Online—a professional photo maker that guarantees 100% compliance with the official requirements.

Can I take a US visa photo at home?

Yes, you can take your US visa photo at home. However, you must prepare adequate equipment to ensure your picture meets all the official requirements. We recommend using professional online tools, such as Passport Photo Online.