What photo do I need for the DS-160?

A recent color digital photo that meets US visa rules: square JPEG, usually 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels, white or off-white background, head height within the allowed band, file size often under 240 KB.

Is a passport photo the same as a DS-160 photo?

They share the same 2×2 composition rules, but DS-160 is uploaded as a digital file with pixel and file-size limits. Always follow the current travel.state.gov visa photo page for your form.

Can I edit my face for DS-160?

No. Do not use filters or retouching that change your appearance. Cropping, scaling, and a plain background are fine.

DS-160 photo requirements

The DS-160 nonimmigrant visa form asks you to upload a digital image. The file has to pass an automatic check before you can continue, so the technical details matter. Specs below are from the State Department's digital image requirements. PassPhotoSnap is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State.

At a glance

Shape	Square: height equals width
Dimensions	At least 600 × 600 px, at most 1200 × 1200 px
File	JPEG, 240 kB or less
Colour	Colour, 24 bits per pixel, sRGB (the normal output of phones and cameras)
Compression	No more than 20:1
Head size	50–69% of the image height, chin to top of head
Background	Plain white or off-white
Glasses	Not allowed, except rare medical cases with a signed statement

Where to upload

You upload the photo inside the DS-160 form on the Consular Electronic Application Center (ceac.state.gov). After that you book an interview at the embassy or consulate; some of them also want one printed photo, so check their instructions.

Scanning a printed photo instead

If you already have a 2 × 2 print, the State Department allows scanning it at 300 pixels per inch, which gives 600 × 600 px. A fresh digital photo usually looks sharper.

Fixing common upload errors

"File too large": re-save the JPEG at a slightly lower quality, keeping the pixel size. A 600 × 600 photo normally fits under 240 kB at good quality. Do not compress so hard that the face becomes blocky.
"Not square" or wrong dimensions: crop to exactly square, between 600 and 1200 px on each side.
Head too small or too large: re-crop so the head takes 50–69% of the height. If you were too far from the camera, cropping in will make the photo soft; take a new one from a few feet away.
Photo looks dark or has shadows: retake facing a window or with two lights either side, rather than brightening it in an app.

Editing rules

Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance. Cropping and resizing are expected (the State Department even offers a free crop tool), but filters and retouching are not. If your wall is not plain white, the safest fix is a white sheet behind you and a new photo.

Making the file with PassPhotoSnap

Pick the US size, line your head up with the guides, and download the 600 × 600 JPG. Check its file size before uploading.

Make a DS-160 photo →

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