U.S. Visa Photo Requirements 2025: Complete Specif

How to Use Your Photo for Multiple Documents

Submitting the correct visa photograph can make or break your U.S. visa application, so this guide focuses strictly on photo requirements, validation, preparation, and compliance to help you use the same compliant photo across multiple documents where allowed .

Key takeaways

Photo specifications are non-negotiable: exact physical size is 2x2 inches (51x51 mm) or digital of 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels, JPEG format, and file size not over 240 KB .

Take photos within the last six months so the image accurately reflects your current appearance for identification purposes .

Backgrounds must be plain white or off-white with no shadows, patterns, textures, or objects visible to avoid automatic rejection .

Maintain a neutral expression with both eyes open, looking directly at the camera, and keep your head centered and straight in the frame to meet identification standards .

Religious head coverings and medical accommodations (for example, glasses) can be permitted when they do not obscure facial features and when appropriate documentation is provided .

Understand format differences: physical photos must meet exact inches and print quality rules; digital photos must meet pixel dimensions, format, color, and file-size limits for electronic submissions .

Physical photo specifications

Physical photos must measure exactly 2 inches by 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm), be printed on high-quality photo paper with a matte or glossy finish, and avoid Polaroids or home-printed images on regular paper .

Ensure the physical print is sharp and clear with no creases, smudges, or print artifacts that could obscure facial features or cause rejection during document processing .

Digital photo technical requirements

For DS-160 and similar digital submissions, use JPEG format, in color, with a minimum resolution of 600x600 pixels and a maximum of 1200x1200 pixels, and keep the file size below 240 kilobytes .

Confirm the digital file is not in another format (for example PNG) and avoid uploading files that exceed the maximum pixel dimensions or file size to prevent automatic rejection by the upload system .

Head size and positioning standards

Your head must occupy 50% to 69% of the total image height, with the distance from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head measuring between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm to 35 mm) .

Frame the photo to show your head and shoulders, with your face centered in the frame and both ears visible unless normally covered by hair, to meet composition standards used for identification .

Background and lighting requirements

Only plain white or off-white backgrounds are acceptable; the background must be uniform without visible shadows, patterns, textures, or objects to avoid rejection .

Lighting should be even and natural with no harsh shadows on your face or behind you; professional lighting is ideal, but a natural, diffused light source (for example, near a large window on a cloudy day) can meet requirements when done carefully .

Acceptable background colors

Plain white is the safest background color; very light off-white, cream, beige, or very light gray may be acceptable if they appear nearly white, but avoid any colored or patterned backgrounds .

Shadow and lighting considerations

Use multiple light sources or diffused natural light to eliminate shadows behind and on the face; avoid single harsh light that casts a shadow from the head onto the background .

Tip: If taking a DIY photo, position yourself several feet from the background and use two light sources or indirect daylight to minimize shadows and ensure even illumination .

Common background mistakes to avoid

Do not use textured walls, patterned wallpaper, or backgrounds with visible objects (furniture, plants, other people) and avoid clothing that blends into the white background creating an unclear silhouette .

Even subtle shadows cast by your head onto the background can cause rejection, so check test prints or digital previews before finalizing your submission .

Facial expression and pose guidelines

Maintain a neutral expression or a natural, closed-mouth smile; exaggerated expressions, showing teeth widely, frowning, or any expression that alters facial features significantly are not permitted .

Both eyes must be open and looking directly at the camera, and your head should be straight and centered without tilting to ensure compatibility with facial-recognition standards .

Required facial expression

Your mouth should be closed or in a subtle natural position; avoid wide smiles that expose teeth or expressions that distort normal facial contours used for identification .

Eye contact and gaze direction

Look directly into the camera with both eyes open and clearly visible; avoid looking to the side, up, or down since this can interfere with facial-recognition technology and lead to rejection .

Head position and angle

Face the camera squarely with shoulders level and avoid turning your head or positioning your body at an angle while looking forward, which can create an unnatural appearance and fail to meet standards .

Clothing and appearance standards

Choose clothing that contrasts with the white background—dark colors like navy, black, or dark gray are recommended—to keep the outline of your head and shoulders clear for identification .

Recommended clothing choices

Business or business-casual attire is generally recommended though not explicitly required; avoid white, cream, or off-white clothing that could blend into the background and obscure your outline .

Clothing items to avoid

Avoid uniforms that could be mistaken for military or official government attire unless required by your position, and steer clear of clothing with large logos, text, or busy patterns that distract from your face .

Jewelry and accessories guidelines

Keep jewelry simple and minimize large, reflective pieces that can cause glare or distraction; remove accessories that cover significant portions of the face or neck .

Religious and medical accommodations

Religious head coverings and medical devices can be allowed, but they must not obscure the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and from ear to ear, and they must not cast shadows on the face .

Religious head coverings

Sikh turbans, Islamic hijabs, and other religious headwear are permitted when the full face is visible and no facial features are obscured, meeting the visibility requirements for identification photos .

Medical device accommodations (glasses)

Applicants who wear glasses for medical reasons may sometimes be permitted to keep them on, but frames must not obscure the eyes and lenses must be free of glare or reflection; when possible, remove glasses unless medically necessary .

Documentation for accommodations

Be prepared to provide supporting documentation for accommodations: a letter from a religious leader for religious requirements or medical documentation from a healthcare provider for medical devices or conditions .

Common photo rejection reasons and how to avoid them

Understand the frequent causes of rejection—technical specification failures, lighting and quality problems, background and composition issues, and expression or pose violations—and proactively check each requirement before submission .

Technical specification failures

Digital photos are often rejected for incorrect pixel dimensions, wrong file formats, or file sizes over the 240 KB limit; verify your image is JPEG, between 600x600 and 1200x1200 pixels, and under 240 KB before uploading .

Lighting and quality issues

Blurry, too dark, too bright, or unevenly lit photos will be rejected; ensure the image is sharply focused with even lighting so all facial features are clearly distinguishable .

Background and composition problems

Photos taken against colored walls, patterned backgrounds, or with visible objects in the frame are rejected, as are images where head size proportions are incorrect due to being too near or too far from the camera .

Expression and pose violations

Photos showing inappropriate facial expressions, closed eyes, tilted heads, or non-frontal poses are routinely rejected; adhere strictly to neutral expressions and straight-facing poses to avoid delays .

Professional vs. DIY photography options

Professional photographers experienced with visa requirements typically offer correct lighting, proper backgrounds, high-resolution equipment, and often guarantees that photos meet official standards, reducing the risk of rejection .

Benefits of professional photography

A professional setup uses multiple light sources to remove shadows, high-resolution cameras for sharp images, and backgrounds designed to meet exact standards, and many studios will replace or retake photos if they fail official checks .

DIY photography considerations

Taking your own visa photo is possible with careful attention to requirements—use a plain white background, even lighting (diffused or multiple sources), a high-resolution camera or smartphone set to save high-quality JPEGs, and verify pixel and file-size limits before submission .