US visa photos: 2 × 2 prints and digital uploads
US visa photos follow nearly the same rules as passport photos, but which format you need depends on the visa. This summary is based on the State Department's visa photo requirements. Acceptance is always at the discretion of the embassy or consulate where you apply.
At a glance
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), colour, photo-quality paper |
| Head size | 1 to 1⅜ inches chin to top of head, or 50–69% of the image height |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Glasses | No longer allowed, except in rare medical cases with a signed medical statement; then no glare, and frames must not cover the eyes |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last 6 months, showing how you look now |
Which format does your visa need?
- Nonimmigrant visas (DS-160, DS-1648): you upload a digital image in the online form. Some embassies also ask you to bring one printed photo to the interview; check your embassy's instructions. Digital file details are on the DS-160 photo page.
- Immigrant visas (DS-260): bring two identical printed 2 × 2 photos to the interview.
- Diversity Visa lottery entry: upload a 600 × 600 px JPEG of 240 kB or less. If you are selected, bring two identical 2 × 2 prints to the interview.
Clothing and accessories
- Wear clothes you normally wear every day. No uniforms, except religious clothing worn daily.
- No hat or head covering that hides the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for religious reasons; the full face must be visible with no shadows.
- No headphones or wireless hands-free devices. Hearing aids you normally wear are fine.
What is not accepted
Photos copied or scanned from a driver's licence or other official document, snapshots, magazine photos, low-quality vending machine or phone photos, and full-length photos. Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance.
Using PassPhotoSnap for a US visa
Choose the US 2 × 2 size, take the photo against a plain white wall with even light, and use the head guides to land in the allowed range. Keep the original background where your wall is already plain and white. Download a 2 × 2 crop or a 4 × 6 sheet with six copies for printing.