US Visa Photo
51×51mm (2×2 inch) square white background photo for the DS-160 form upload.
Size & specifications
US Visa Photo — requirements
| Printed size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 602 × 602 px |
| Head height | 25-35mm (top of head to chin) |
| Background | White |
| Resolution | ≥ 300 DPI |
| Recency | — |
| Glasses / expression | — · — |
| Digital format | — |
One upload, two deliveries: the pixel-exact digital file and a 300 dpi print-ready sheet.
What each line means
Printed size — print at exactly 51 × 51 mm. A few millimetres off and most offices hand the form back before anything else is checked.
Digital size — the digital file must measure 602 × 602 px. Anything smaller gets refused by many online systems before a person sees it.
Head height — your head, crown to chin, should span 25-35mm (top of head to chin). Too small reads distant; too large and the crop will not fit.
Background — a plain White background, with no shadows or gradients. A wall lit unevenly is the fastest route to a refusal.
Resolution — 300 dpi keeps a face sharp in print. Below that, features soften and agencies ask for a retake.
Photo examples
What passes — and what gets rejected.
How to take a US Visa Photo with your phone
Photo size and applications
The US visa photo is the same 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square as the passport photo, on plain white, with the head between 25-35 mm from crown to chin. The format is the same for both applications: a passport photo taken to spec serves the visa file, and a photo from the last 6 months meets the recency requirement.
Taking the photo at home
Use a plain white wall. Stand half a metre back, hold the phone at eye level, and keep the camera horizontal. Leave headroom above the hair; the crop to the exact square is automatic. Daylight from a window in front of you keeps the face evenly lit and the wall free of gradients.
Glasses, expression, and photo recency
Take your glasses off. Prescription glasses are only allowed with a signed doctor's note, and reviewers flag frame glare first. Use a neutral expression, keep your mouth closed, and look at the lens. The photo must show how you look now, with no filters or reshaping apps.
Output from this page
The tool crops to 51×51 mm at 300 dpi, replaces the wall with even white, and checks size, head position and background before download. For the online DS-160 form the preset also provides a 600×600 px digital version.
Why US Visa Photo gets rejected
Photo dimensions and head size
A rectangle stretched or squeezed to 2×2 inches will be rejected, as will a head outside 25-35 mm. Reviewers measure with a template, and the check on this page measures before download.
Background problems
Off-white walls, light gradients, and the photographer's shadow can make a plain white background look patterned to a reviewer. Reshoot facing a window, then let the tool flatten the tone.
Common rejection reasons
Photos older than 6 months, glasses left on, a head tilted a few degrees, and files run through smoothing apps are all on the rejection list. These issues may not be obvious at a glance.
How it works
Photo tips
Frequently asked questions
What size is a US Visa Photo?
The standard size is 51 × 51 mm (602 × 602 px at 300 DPI). The tool crops and scales your photo to exact requirements automatically.
Can I smile in the photo?
Requirements call for: a natural expression. When in doubt, keep a neutral face with both eyes open.
How recent must the photo be?
Old photos are a common rejection reason.
Is my photo private?
Yes. Uploaded photos are encrypted in transit and automatically deleted within 24 hours. We never share or resell uploads.
What are the US visa photo requirements?
A 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square photo on a white background, head height 25-35 mm measured from the top of the head to the chin. The digital version used for online forms is 600×600 px.
Is the US visa photo the same size as the passport photo?
Yes. Both are 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) squares on white with the same 25-35 mm head band, so the shooting steps on this page apply to either document.
Can I take it with my phone?
Yes. Shoot in front of a plain white wall in even light, leave space around the head, and the tool crops to the exact square and replaces the background with pure white.