US visa (DS-160) & US passport photo 2 × 2 inch

The DS-160 needs a square JPEG, 600–1200 px, up to 240 KB, with your head 50–69% of the height and eyes 56–69% from the bottom, on white or off-white.

DS-160 digital photo — ≤ 240 KB · 600–1200 × 600–1200 px

Square JPEG, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px, max 240 KB, colour (sRGB)
Head (chin to crown) 50–69% of image height; eyes 56–69% from the bottom
Plain white or off-white background; taken in the last 6 months
Full face, directly facing the camera; neutral expression, both eyes open
No glasses (rare medical cases need a signed medical statement); no uniforms, headphones or wireless devices
Not copied or scanned from another document

US passport online renewal photo — 54–10000 KB · 5.08 × 5.08 cm

JPG, PNG or HEIC, 54 KB – 10 MB; we make a 1200 × 1200 px JPEG (2 × 2 in proportion)
Taken in the last 6 months; plain white or off-white background; head 1–1⅜ in of 2 in
The original, unedited photo — no filters or digital changes

Printed 2 × 2 inch photo (passport; some consulates for visa interviews) — 50.8 × 50.8 mm

Exactly 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), head 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm)
Colour photo taken in the last 6 months, facing the camera, neutral expression, plain white or off-white background
The original, unedited photo — no filters or digital changes; print on matte or glossy photo-quality paper

Other rules

The State Department rejects edited photos, so for US photos Official-ready never changes your background or face — it only frames, sizes and checks your original photo.
Take the photo against a plain white or off-white wall with even light; the background check tells you if you need a retake.
The embassy, consulate or passport agency makes the final decision.

Official sources (last checked 2 Nov 2026)

U.S. visa digital image requirements (current)
U.S. visa photo composition template (current)
U.S. passport photos (24 Mar 2026)
U.S. passport online renewal — upload a digital photo (4 May 2026)

Questions

What size is a US visa photo?

A square JPEG from 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels, no more than 240 KB; printed photos are 2 × 2 inches.

How big should my head be in a US visa photo?

Chin to crown must be 50–69% of the image height, with the eyes 56–69% up from the bottom.

All forms