US Visa (DS-160) Photo in Hong Kong

51 × 51 mm · white background · U.S. Department of State

HK$59.00 digital file

Wrong size, background or crop? We fix it free or refund you in full. Refund policy

Rules last checked against U.S. Department of State on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

The US Visa (DS-160) form from the U.S. Department of State asks you to upload your photo as part of the online application, and a file outside the rules is refused. Your file needs to be a square JPEG, 600 by 600 pixels or larger up to 1200 by 1200, and at most 240 KB. Stand against a white or off-white wall, look straight into the lens and keep both eyes open with a neutral expression and your mouth closed. Glasses must be removed. Keep your full face visible, avoid uniforms or wireless earbuds, and use a picture taken in the last six months.

Photo requirements

US Visa (DS-160) photo requirements
Photo size	51 × 51 mm
Digital file	JPEG, at least 600 × 600 pixels, up to 234 KB, for DS-160 online visa application
Background	white, also accepted: off-white
Head size	50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Glasses	Not allowed
Head coverings	Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.
Head position	Facing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rules	Neutral expression or a natural smile, both eyes open, mouth closed; Face the camera directly, full face in view; Plain white or off-white background, no shadows; Taken within the last 6 months; No uniforms or camouflage; no headphones or wireless devices; No filters, retouching or alterations

Do

Illustration of an accepted photo: neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera on a plain background — Neutral expression, eyes open, facing the camera

Don't

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is smiling with teeth showing — No smiling with teeth showing

Illustration of a rejected photo: the person is wearing glasses — No glasses

Illustration of a rejected photo: a shadow falls across the face and background — No shadows on the face or background

Illustration of a rejected photo: the head is tilted to one side — Do not tilt your head

How it works

1. Take or upload a photo
Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.
2. We size and check it
We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.
3. Download and use it
Pay once, then download the digital file and the print sheet straight away.

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Questions about US Visa (DS-160) photos

What size is a US Visa (DS-160) photo?

US Visa (DS-160) photos are 51 × 51 mm. The head should fill 50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).

What background does a US Visa (DS-160) photo need?

A plain white background (off-white is also accepted), with no shadows, patterns or objects. We replace the background for you, but a plain wall gives the cleanest edges around your hair.

Can I wear glasses in a US Visa (DS-160) photo?

No. Glasses are not allowed in US Visa (DS-160) photos. Glasses are not allowed since November 2016, except for medical reasons with a signed doctor's statement.

Can I smile in a US Visa (DS-160) photo?

No. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and your eyes open.

Can I wear a head covering?

Allowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face from chin to forehead must be visible.

Can I take a US Visa (DS-160) photo at home?

Usually, yes, as long as it meets the rules above. Check the instructions for your application route, because final acceptance is always decided by U.S. Department of State. PhotoPass ID sizes your photo and checks it against these rules before you pay.

What file does the online application need?

A digital photo file: JPEG, at least 600 × 600 pixels, up to 234 KB, for DS-160 online visa application. Your download is prepared to these settings.

How much does a US Visa (DS-160) photo cost in Hong Kong?

HK$59.00 for the digital file, paid once. It includes a print-at-home sheet you can print at any photo shop.

What if something is wrong with my photo?

If our processing gets the size, background or crop wrong for this document, we fix it free or refund you in full. Final acceptance is always decided by the issuing authority.

Official source: U.S. Department of State

Read the rules on the authority's website: U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov).

Rules last checked against U.S. Department of State on 12 October 2026.

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