US Immigrant Visa Photo in the UK
51 × 51 mm · white background · U.S. Department of State
£6.99 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 25 October 2026.
About this photo
The US Immigrant Visa photo accepted by the U.S. Department of State is a 51 by 51 mm portrait. Behind you: plain white, lit evenly so no shadow falls on the face or the wall. Applications are made with printed photos, so you need a physical copy rather than an upload. Taken within the last 6 months. Home photos are accepted when they follow the rules, so a well-lit phone picture taken by someone else works. Frame it so the head takes 25 to 35 mm of the 51 mm height. The US Immigrant Visa photo comes back sized, with a clean background and a head-size check, before you are asked to pay.
Photo requirements
| Photo size | 51 × 51 mm |
|---|---|
| Background | white |
| Head size | 49–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open |
| Glasses | Allowed. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. No glare on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes. |
| 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 | Taken within the last 6 months; DS-260: two identical 2 x 2 inch colour prints brought to the consular interview and the panel medical; Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed, looking straight at the camera |
Do
Don't
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 Immigrant Visa photos
What size is a US Immigrant Visa photo?
US Immigrant Visa photos are 51 × 51 mm. The head should fill 49–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair).
What background does a US Immigrant Visa photo need?
A plain white background, 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 Immigrant Visa photo?
Yes. No tinted lenses or sunglasses. No glare on the lenses. Frames must not cover any part of the eyes.
Can I smile in a US Immigrant Visa 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 Immigrant Visa 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.
How much does a US Immigrant Visa photo cost in the UK?
£6.99 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 25 October 2026.
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