Free tool for this:US visa photo maker
When you fill in the DS-160 for a US visa, you upload a digital photo. The upload tool checks the size and file automatically, and a photo that doesn't meet the rules can delay your interview. Here are the requirements from the US State Department.
Digital photo requirements
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Shape | Square (width equals height) |
| Size | Between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels |
| File size | 240 KB or less |
| Format | JPEG |
| Colour | Full colour, 24-bit, sRGB |
| Printed photo (if scanned) | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), scanned at 300 pixels per inch |
The US visa photo maker creates an exact 600 × 600 JPEG under 240 KB. Drag and zoom so your head is centred with a little space above it, then download.
What the photo must show
- A recent colour photo of you alone, facing the camera directly.
- A plain white or off-white background with no shadows.
- A neutral expression with both eyes open.
- No glasses. US visa photos don't allow eyeglasses, except in rare medical cases with a doctor's statement.
- No hats or head coverings, except for religious or medical reasons, with the full face visible.
- No filters, beauty apps or editing.
Common mistakes
- Not square: a phone photo is rectangular, so it must be cropped to a square around the face.
- Too large a file: photos straight from a phone are several MB, far above 240 KB.
- Head too small: leaving too much background makes the face too small for the checker.
- Shadows on the wall behind you, or uneven light on the face.
If the DS-160 upload tool rejects your photo, you may be asked to bring a printed 2 × 2 inch photo to your interview instead. Always follow the instructions of the embassy or consulate handling your application.