The United States uses one photo standard for visas, passports and the Diversity Visa lottery: a square photo, two inches by two inches, which is 51 by 51 millimetres. If you are filling in the DS-160 visa form, renewing a US passport online or entering the DV lottery, the same basic rules apply, with small differences in how the photo is submitted. This guide explains them and the mistakes that most often lead to a photo being refused.
The rules side by side
| Document | Photo size | Background | Head size | Digital file |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Visa (DS-160) | 51 × 51 mm | white, also accepted: off-white | 50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) | JPEG, at least 600 × 600 pixels, up to 234 KB, for DS-160 online visa application |
| US Passport | 51 × 51 mm | white, also accepted: off-white | 50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) | JPEG, up to 9.5 MB, for Online passport renewal (opr.travel.state.gov) |
| US DV Lottery | 51 × 51 mm | white, also accepted: off-white | 50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) | JPEG, at least 600 × 600 pixels, up to 234 KB, for DV Lottery entry form (dvprogram.state.gov) |
The full rules are on each document page: US Visa (DS-160) photo, US Passport photo and US DV Lottery photo. The U.S. Department of State photo guidance at travel.state.gov is the authority on what is accepted.
The square format
The US photo is square, unlike the rectangular 35 by 45 millimetre photos used in Ireland, the UK and most of Europe. That means you cannot reuse a European passport photo for a US application, even if it was taken recently. Your head should fill a set share of the square, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, as shown in the table. Leaving space around your head when you take the picture makes it easy to crop to the right proportion afterwards.
The digital upload
For the DS-160 visa form, you upload a digital file. It must be a square JPEG within the pixel range and file size in the table above. The visa file size limit is small, far smaller than a normal phone photo, so a picture straight from your camera roll will usually be too large. Online passport renewal also takes a square digital photo, with its own file rules, so follow the instructions in the renewal service. The file has to be resized and compressed without losing sharpness around the face. This is exactly the step that trips people up when they try to do it by hand with an image editor.
The DV lottery entry uses the same file rules. Because a photo outside the rules can disqualify an entry, it is worth checking the file carefully before you submit.
Glasses are not allowed
Since November 2016, glasses are not allowed in US visa and passport photos, except for a documented medical reason. This applies even to clear prescription lenses with no glare. Take your glasses off before you take the photo. If you cannot remove them for medical reasons, the State Department asks for a signed statement from a doctor with your application. Our guide on wearing glasses in passport photos compares this rule with other countries.
Expression and pose
For the DS-160 visa and the Diversity Visa entry, the State Department asks for a neutral expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed. A US passport photo may show a natural smile with the mouth closed, but a neutral expression is always safe. Face the camera directly with your full face in view, your head straight and your shoulders square. Do not wear a uniform, camouflage clothing, headphones or wireless earbuds. Head coverings are allowed only for religious or medical reasons, and your whole face from chin to forehead must stay visible.
Background and light
The background must be plain white or off-white, with no shadows and no texture. Stand away from the wall so your shadow does not fall behind you, and face a window for even daylight. Avoid overhead lights that darken your eye sockets and the camera flash, which can wash out your skin and cause red eye.
How recent the photo must be
The photo must reflect your current appearance and should be taken within the last six months. If you have recently changed your appearance, check the State Department guidance and take a new photo.
Checklist
- Square 2 by 2 inch format with the head the right size in the frame.
- White or off-white background without shadows.
- No glasses.
- Both eyes open, neutral expression, mouth closed.
- A square JPEG within the limits of the form you are using.
- Taken within the last six months, with no filters or retouching.
Make your photo
PhotoPass ID crops your photo to the square format, sets the background, prepares the file to the pixel and file-size limits and checks the measurable rules before you pay. The digital file costs $9.99. Final acceptance is decided by the U.S. Department of State.
Take my US Visa (DS-160) photo
Renewing a passport or entering the lottery instead? Start from that page: Take my US Passport photo