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Create Your US Visa Photo Online for Free — 2x2, Ready in 30 Seconds

Use our US visa photo tool to make a US visa photo — a square 2 × 2-inch (51 × 51 mm / 600 × 600 px) image that meets the U.S. Department of State standards. Download your final photo as a digital file for the DS-160 form, or as a printable sheet ready for your DS-260 or in-person consular application. US visa photo maker works on iPhone, Android, and any browser; no editing skills required.

Get Your US Visa Photo

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Official Photo Requirements

Source: U.S. Department of State

PhotoGov is an independent service. We are not affiliated with any government, embassy, or consulate. All information on this website is based on official government requirements and verified primary sources. Final acceptance is determined solely by the issuing authority.

Make Your US Visa Photo Now — 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm / 600 × 600 px)

Upload a selfie, and our US visa photo tool resizes and crops it to the format used by the U.S. Department of State for non-immigrant and immigrant visa applications. Simply follow the step‑by‑step instructions below.

Get photo for: US Visa 2x2 inch (600x600 px, 51x51mm)

Step 2/4

Instructions:

How to take a good photo?

1/7 Image format

Photo must be in color. Taken within the last 6 months.

How to take a good photo?

1/7 Image format

Photo must be in color. Taken within the last 6 months.

ID & Passport Photo Tool. Your personal data is processed in accordance with security and privacy standards.

If you need assistance, don't hesitate to contact our Support team, which is always there to help.

How Our US Visa Photo Cropping Tool Works

Our US visa photo cropping tool automatically converts your selfie into an application-ready visa photo with the correct crop, proper framing, a plain white or off-white background, a 2 × 2-inch (51 × 51 mm / 600 × 600 pixels) format, and 50–69% head size. You can optionally add Human Verification by our expert or 9 extra clothing variations, then download your final photo in digital or printable format.

Photo Upload

Take a selfie against a plain light wall and upload it to the US visa photo tool: PhotoGov service works in any browser

Processing

Wait about 30 seconds while the cropping tool crops the photo to a square, adjusts the head size, and checks the image against official requirements

Service Selection

Add Human Verification or select other services, such as the casual-to-formal clothes change, if required

Download

Get a digital image for the DS-160 Form or a printable sheet with 2 × 2 inch photos

Written by Olia Potiagaeva, Managing Editor Reviewed by the PhotoGov Editorial Team ★ 4.8 / 5.0 GoogleChecked against official government requirements

Free retake or full refund

If your photo is rejected because of an error on our side.

→ Refund Policy

On THIS PAGE:

last article update 10/22/2026

How Our US Visa Photo Cropping Tool Works
What is a US Visa Photo?
Your Final US Visa Photo from PhotoGov
US Visa Photos That Pass the Checks
US Visa Photos That Don’t Pass the Checks
How to Take a US Visa Photo at Home
Why Use PhotoGov for Your US Visa Photo
PhotoGov and U.S. Department of State Standards for Visa Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Government Sources
Other Documents — US ID Photos

What is a US Visa Photo?

A US visa photo is a square headshot with a plain white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months.

For nonimmigrant US visas, it is a digital photo uploaded with the online DS-160 forms.

For immigrant US visas (DS-260), two 2 × 2 inch printouts are required: an applicant must bring them to the interview. Some U.S. embassies and consulates may require one printed photo.

US Visa Photo Specifications

Specification	Digital Image (DS-160 & DV Lottery)	Printed Photo (Interview)
Size	Square aspect ratio; DS-160: 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px; DV lottery: strictly 600 × 600 px	2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
File	JPEG, under 240 kB, color (sRGB)	Photo-quality paper
Head Size	1 inch to 1-3/8 inches (or 50–69 % of the image height) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head	1 inch to 1-3/8 inches
Background	Plain white or off-white	Plain white or off-white
Photo Recency	Taken within the last 6 months	Taken within the last 6 months
Glasses	Not allowed (except rare medical cases with a signed statement)	Not allowed (except rare medical cases with a signed statement)

Official specifications in the table above were checked against the travel.state.gov guidelines in October 2026: all US visa photos must meet them. If you scan a printed photo for uploading it with an online form, set your scanner to a 300 pixels per inch setting. Submit a new picture after a significant appearance change, even if your current photo has been taken within the past 6 months.

Local Embassy and Consulate Rules

While the basic U.S. Department of State photo guidelines apply universally, the actual submission process often depends on the specific U.S. embassy and the type of visa you need (immigrant vs. nonimmigrant). Here are a few examples of how local rules can vary:

Embassy or Consulate	Specific Requirement
U.S. Embassy in London (Nonimmigrant Visa)	Physical 5 × 5 cm (2 × 2 in) color photo on a white background, taken within the last six months. No digital alterations
U.S. Mission in India (Nonimmigrant Visa)	Digital photo uploaded to the online DS-160 form. If the upload fails, bring one printed copy to the interview
U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada (Nonimmigrant Visa)	One color photo, taken within the last six months, brought to the interview
U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong (Immigrant Visa)	50 × 50 mm (2 × 2 in) printed photo with no borders, head measuring between 25–35 mm

Always verify specific local requirements on your designated embassy or consulate website prior to online submission or interview.

Expression, Clothing and Head Coverings

Neutral facial expression with mouth closed and eyes open. Face must be fully visible and unobstructed, with the hair tucked away from the face.

Wear everyday clothing. Acceptable: religious clothing worn daily. Hearing aid devices worn daily. Not acceptable: Uniforms, military attire, or camouflage. Headphones or wireless hands-free devices.

Head coverings are not acceptable unless worn daily for religious or medical reasons — full face must be visible and unobstructed. In that case, provide a signed medical statement.

Digital enhancements, filters, and retouching are not allowed in US visa photos.

US Visa Photo for the DV Lottery

For a Diversity Visa entry, submit a square digital photo. Only a JPEG of exactly 600 × 600 pixels and 240 kB or less is accepted. When scanning a physical photo, use a 2 × 2 inch print scanned at 300 ppi. If selected, bring two identical 2 × 2 inch printouts to the interview. Select DV Lottery as your document type in PhotoGov, and the tool will automatically apply the correct template to your source photo. If you need a picture for another purpose, for example, the Green Card photo, select a relevant tool in the Document selection drop-down.

Your Final US Visa Photo from PhotoGov

PhotoGov automatically applies all official U.S. Department of State requirements to your original photo. The final image is ready for submission and doesn't require any adjustments from you. Below are the key technical parameters of your final US visa photo from PhotoGov.

2inch

1.29inch

1.18inch

Parameter	Your Final Photo
Digital photo size	Square JPEG within the DS-160 range of 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px
Printed photo size	2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)
Head size	1 – 1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm), 50 – 69% of the frame
Background	Plain, white / off-white
File format	JPEG / Printable PDF or JPEG sheet
Resolution	High-resolution digital file
Head positioning	Automatically centered
Color	Full color
Face visibility	Fully visible, no retouching

For a full overview of official standards, please see our US Visa Photo Requirements Guide.

Your photo is processed in a private session in a secure environment. Facial features are never altered — our US visa photo tool resizes and crops your photo and places it on a white background; it does not change your facial features. If your photo is rejected because of an error on our side, we offer a free retake or a full refund.

US Visa Photos That Pass the Checks

US Visa Photos That Don’t Pass the Checks

How to Take a US Visa Photo at Home

Stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall, facing a window. Good natural lighting prevents shadows, which are a common reason for photo rejections.

Remove your glasses, headphones, and head coverings (unless worn daily for religious or medical purposes).

Have someone else take your photo, or use a tripod. Position the camera at eye level and turn off portrait mode and all filters.

Face the camera directly with a neutral expression, both eyes open and mouth closed.

Upload a sharp, high-quality photo to the U.S. visa photo tool. The U.S. Department of State doesn’t accept snapshots, driver's license copies, or low-quality images. Incorrect photos may cause application delays.

How to Take a US Visa Baby Photo

If you’re taking a baby visa or baby passport photo, lay your newborn or infant on a plain, texture- and pattern-free white or off-white blanket. Ensure no other person or objects are visible in the frame. Your baby’s eyes may be slightly closed. When photographing an older child, they may sit or stand against a plain white wall, following the adult rules above, including a neutral facial expression.

After taking a few photos of your child, choose the best one, select a required U.S. passport and visa photo tool at PhotoGov, upload the image, and get an application-ready photo in under 30 seconds.

Why Use PhotoGov for Your US Visa Photo

One Tool for Every U.S. Visa Photo

Create a photo for a selected visa type with one tool: a digital image for a DS-160 Form or DV Lottery, and printable photos for a DS-260 interview

No Studio, No App

The photo tool works in your mobile or desktop browser. No registration or app installation required.

Digital File and a Printable Sheet

Download a square digital image to submit with the online form, or a printable sheet with 2 × 2 inch photos to print and bring to the interview.

Extra Assurance

Add Human Verification at checkout: an in-house specialist reviews your photo against the U.S. Department of State official visa photo rules.

Secure Processing

Your image is processed in a private session, and your data is never shared with third parties.

PhotoGov and U.S. Department of State Standards for Visa Photos

PhotoGov’s U.S. visa photo templates are built on the photo rules published by the U.S. Department of State, and the biometric framework described in ICAO Doc 9303. The requirements are regularly monitored by our compliance team, and the templates are updated as new revisions come into force.

The tool sizes, crops, and frames your photo and places it on a white background; it does not retouch skin, alter facial features, or add filters.

If your application is time-sensitive, or a photo rejection would cause significant inconvenience, select our Human Verification service at checkout. Our senior compliance specialist will manually review your photo against the latest U.S. Department of State requirements for your visa type, provide feedback, and recommend a retake if any errors are detected.

Applying for another visa or ID? The PhotoGov visa and passport photo tool covers visa photo formats for over 150 countries.

The U.S. Department of State prohibits digital alterations of ID photographs. Our platform sizes, crops, and frames your photo and places it on a white background; it does not change your facial features. Final acceptance is determined by the issuing authority or a consular officer reviewing your application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Take a US Visa Photo Myself?

Yes, with just your smartphone and good lighting, you can take a perfect photo yourself, and the U.S. Department of State allows it. Upload your selfie to the US visa photo tool, and it crops and sizes the photo; for a professional check, add Human Verification. Get a U.S. visa photo in a printable or digital format in under 30 seconds.

Can I Get my Visa Photo Online?

Yes, you can get your photo online — services like PhotoGov allow you to convert your original portrait into a US visa-ready picture. Just upload your selfie, choose the country and the document type, and download your ready-to-apply 2x2 image.

What Is the Best US Visa Photo Tool to Make a 2 × 2 Picture for My Application?

Use a dedicated visa photo tool rather than a generic image editor. The PhotoGov US visa photo tool automatically sets the required square dimensions and head height, checks the photo against the U.S. Department of State standards, and generates both a digital file for the DS-160 Form and 2 × 2 inch photos on a printable PDF or JPEG sheet that you can print and bring to the interview. If you want a specialist to review your final photo, select a Human Verification service at checkout.

Is the US Visa Photo Tool Free?

Within the free limit, PhotoGov offers two free ID photos per day, depending on your location. After making your US visa photo size online free, you can select paid add-on services with all prices and options displayed before download.

How to Resize a Photo to the US Visa Photo Requirements?

To resize a photo to the official US visa size, use a reliable US visa photo tool with a biometric compliance check. Upload your image to our online US visa photo editor, and the system will automatically detect your face, crop the frame, adjust head size and margins, set a plain white background, and generate a 2 × 2 inch (600 × 600 px) file suitable for both printing and digital submission in about 30 seconds.

How to Edit a Photo for a US Visa Online?

The US visa photo editor works online in your browser: it resizes and crops your source photo for a US visa. Don't edit your photo manually: the U.S. Department of State doesn’t accept digitally enhanced photos.

What Size Is the DS-160 Photo, and Is There a DS-160 Photo Tool?

The DS-160 digital image is a square JPEG from 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels, 240 kB or less, in color. The US visa photo tool works as a DS160 photo tool and prepares a square file within this range.

How Do I Check My Picture With a US Visa Photo Checker Before Submission?

The tool sets the size and head position and automatically checks the photo against the U.S. Department of State visa photo requirements. For a manual check, add Human Verification when a compliance expert reviews your final photo.

Is There a USCIS Photo Tool I Can Use Online?

PhotoGov works as a USCIS photo tool and USCIS photo editor. USCIS forms require the same 2 × 2 inch photo with a white background, akin to photos submitted with US immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications. Select the document that you need a photo for, and our tool crops and sizes it to the official requirements. Download it as a digital file (for online submissions), a printable PDF (for printing in a print shop), or a JPEG sheet (for printing at home) for in-person or mail-in submissions. For an extra layer of confidence, add the Human Verification service at checkout.

What Happens If My US Visa Photo Gets Rejected?

If your photo is rejected because of a technical issue on our side, we will either refund your payment or give you a free retake. If the problem lies in the original picture (for example, poor lighting, incorrect head position, or facial expression), you will need to take a new photo and upload it again.

Is Human Verification Available for My US Visa Photo?

Yes. You can add the Human Verification service at checkout: a senior PhotoGov compliance expert reviews your photo against the current U.S. Department of State visa photo rules and either confirms that it matches the official specifications or recommends a retake.

Is My Personal Data and Photo Safe With PhotoGov?

Yes. We treat your personal data and images with great care. PhotoGov uses your information solely to generate your photo. We never share your data with third parties or external AI services. If you have any questions, you can always contact our Customer Support team or read more details in our Privacy Policy.

PhotoGov.net strictly adheres to Global regulations for ID photos.

Official Government Sources

Checked against the U.S. Department of State and other official authorities · Last checked: October 11, 2026

Apply for a US Visa: U.S. Department of State

US Visa Photo Requirements: U.S. Department of State

DS-160 Online Non-Immigrant Visa Application: U.S. Department of State

DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application: U.S. Department of State

US Visa Photos and Digital Image Requirements — Photo Examples: U.S. Department of State

Diversity Visa Photo Requirements: U.S. Department of State

Nonimmigrant Visa Photo Instructions: U.S. Embassy London

Nonimmigrant Visa Photo Instructions: U.S. Mission India

Nonimmigrant Visa Photo Instructions: U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Canada Immigrant Visa photo instructions: U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong

Renew Your US Visa: U.S. Department of State

Biometric Regulations for International ID Documents: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Document 9303