No. 37 — Passport and ID photos

US visa photo for the DS-160

The DS-160 form needs a square digital photo, and some consulates also ask for a printed 2 × 2 in photo. Get both here from a single photo of yourself.

Drag the photo and zoom: the top of the head goes on the upper line, the chin on the lower one and the face inside the oval.

Size50.8 × 50.8 mm (2 × 2 in)
Digital file600 × 600 px · JPG · max 240 KB
Head (chin to crown)25–35 mm (50–69 %)
BackgroundPlain white or off-white
Official sourcetravel.state.gov

How to use it

  1. Upload a front-facing photo against a white or very light background.
  2. Drag and zoom until your head fills the oval: crown on the upper line, chin on the lower one.
  3. Tap “Create photos”.
  4. Upload the digital photo to the DS-160, and print the sheet if a paper photo is required.

Main requirements

A color photo taken in the last 6 months, facing the camera with a neutral expression. White or off-white background with no shadows. No glasses: they haven’t been allowed since 2016, except for medical reasons. The head must take up 50% to 69% of the photo’s height, and the eyes must sit between 56% and 69% of the height, measured from the bottom.

The digital photo for the DS-160

It must be square, between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, in JPG format and no larger than 240 KB. Our digital photo is 600 × 600 px and we tune the compression to stay under 240 KB.

Questions and answers

Can I wear glasses?

No. The State Department doesn’t accept photos with glasses, except medical cases with a signed statement.

What if the DS-160 rejects my photo?

Check that your face is inside the oval, the background is light and even, and there are no shadows. If the background is the problem, tick “White background (AI)” or take a new photo against a white wall.

Are my photos uploaded to a server?

No. Everything is processed inside your browser, on your own phone or computer. Your photos never leave your device and nobody else can see them.

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