US ESTA (Visa Waiver) Photo Online

51 × 51 mm · white background · U.S. Customs and Border Protection

$8.99 digital file

Take my US ESTA (Visa Waiver) photo

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

Rules last checked against U.S. Customs and Border Protection on 12 October 2026.

About this photo

An US ESTA (Visa Waiver) photo for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection is 51 by 51 mm when printed. Photo of your face is matched one-to-one with your passport photo. Frame it so the head takes 25 to 35 mm of the 51 mm height. CBP asks for a current photo of your face (a selfie) during the ESTA application and compares it with your passport; the ESTA app takes it live. Behind you: plain white or off-white, lit evenly so no shadow falls on the face or the wall. Online, ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov) takes an upload as a JPEG. Send us any clear picture and you get a US ESTA (Visa Waiver) photo at these measurements, background included, checked before checkout.

Photo requirements

US ESTA (Visa Waiver) photo requirements
Photo size51 × 51 mm
Digital fileJPEG, for ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov)
Backgroundwhite, also accepted: off-white
Head size50–69% of the photo height (25–35 mm, chin to crown, top of head, including hair)
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed, eyes open
GlassesNot allowed
Head coveringsAllowed for religious or medical reasons. The whole face must be clearly visible.
Head positionFacing the camera, tilted no more than 10°
Other rulesPhoto of your face is matched one-to-one with your passport photo

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. 1. Take or upload a photo

    Use your phone camera against a plain wall, or pick a photo you already have.

  2. 2. We size and check it

    We crop to the right size, replace the background and check it against the rules above.

  3. 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 ESTA (Visa Waiver) photos

What size is a US ESTA (Visa Waiver) photo?

US ESTA (Visa Waiver) 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 ESTA (Visa Waiver) 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 ESTA (Visa Waiver) photo?

No. Glasses are not allowed in US ESTA (Visa Waiver) photos. Not stated by CBP.

Can I smile in a US ESTA (Visa Waiver) 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 must be clearly visible.

Can I take a US ESTA (Visa Waiver) 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. Customs and Border Protection. 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, for ESTA website (esta.cbp.dhs.gov). Your download is prepared to these settings.

How much does a US ESTA (Visa Waiver) photo cost in the US?

$8.99 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. Customs and Border Protection

Read the rules on the authority's website: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (dhs.gov).

Rules last checked against U.S. Customs and Border Protection on 12 October 2026.

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