Discover all you need to know about US visa photo requirements—and take your visa picture comfortably from home.
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Taking a photo for your ID has never been so easy.
Follow these simple instruction to take the perfect ID photo.
The distance between the face and the camera should be about 40 cm. Ideally the photo should be taken by the other person.
Place your face in front of the lens. Hold the camera at eye level and keep neutral face expression.
Stand facing the light source, for example an exposed window. The background will be cut out, don't worry about it.
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.
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 |
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:
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.
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:
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:
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: 9/30/23
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.
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.
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.