Create Perfect US Visa Photos Online

Applying for a US visa? Your photo must meet strict State Department specifications or your application will be rejected. Our US Visa Photo Resizer automatically formats your photo to the exact 2×2 inches (600×600 pixels) size required for all US visa applications.

US Visa Photo Size Specifications

The US Department of State has specific requirements for visa photos:

Physical Size: 2×2 inches (51mm × 51mm)
Digital Size: 600×600 pixels minimum (at 300 DPI)
File Size: Maximum 240KB for online upload
File Format: JPEG (.jpg) only
Color Mode: Color photo (24-bit color depth)
Background: Plain white or off-white ONLY
Square Format: Must be perfectly square (1:1 ratio)

⚠️ Top Rejection Reasons:

Wearing eyeglasses (NOT allowed since 2016)
Wrong photo dimensions (not 2×2 inches)
Head size too small or too large
Colored background (must be white/off-white)
Shadows on face or background
Photo older than 6 months
Smiling or showing teeth

Head Size and Eye Position Requirements

Your head must occupy 50-69% of the photo height:

Chin to Crown: 1 to 1⅜ inches (25mm to 35mm)
Eye Height: 1⅛ to 1⅜ inches from bottom (56-69% from bottom)
Face Position: Centered horizontally
Head Space: Small amount of space above head

US Visa Photo Do's and Don'ts

✅ DO:

Face camera directly with neutral expression
Keep both eyes open and clearly visible
Use plain white or off-white background
Ensure even lighting with no shadows
Wear normal daily clothing
Keep hair away from face and eyes
Remove ALL eyeglasses (even clear ones)
Take photo within last 6 months

❌ DON'T:

Wear eyeglasses of any kind (strictly prohibited)
Smile or show teeth (neutral expression only)
Wear uniform (except religious clothing)
Wear hat or head covering (except religious reasons)
Use filters, editing, or retouching
Have shadows on face or background
Tilt head or look away from camera
Use selfies or low-quality photos

How to Use This Tool

Take or upload a recent photo (within 6 months)
Tool automatically sets dimensions to 600×600 pixels (2×2 inches)
Position your face so head occupies 50-69% of height
Ensure plain white background is visible
Download for visa application or print

Tips for Taking Your Own US Visa Photo

Lighting: Bright, even lighting from front (no shadows)
Background: Plain white wall or white sheet
Camera: High-quality camera or smartphone (8MP+)
Distance: Stand 1.2 meters (4 feet) from camera
Height: Camera at eye level
Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
No Glasses: Remove ALL eyewear before photo

💡 Important: Eyeglasses Ban

Since November 1, 2016, the US State Department does NOT accept visa photos with eyeglasses. This applies to ALL visa types, including tourist, student, and work visas. Remove your glasses before taking the photo!

US Visa Types That Require This Photo

The same 2×2 inch photo works for all US visa categories:

Tourist Visa: B-1/B-2 visitor visa
Student Visa: F-1, M-1, J-1
Work Visa: H-1B, L-1, O-1
Immigrant Visa: Green card applications
Diversity Visa: DV lottery
Fiancé Visa: K-1, K-2

Online DS-160 Form Photo Upload

For online visa applications (DS-160 form):

File Size: Maximum 240KB
Dimensions: 600×600 pixels minimum (square)
Format: JPEG (.jpg) only
Color Depth: 24-bit color
Quality: Clear, sharp, no compression artifacts

Religious Head Coverings

Head coverings are allowed ONLY for religious reasons:

Face must be fully visible from hairline to chin
Both edges of face must be clearly visible
No shadows on face from head covering
Head covering should not obscure facial features
May require signed statement explaining religious requirement

✅ Perfect US Visa Photo Specs:

How to Print US Visa Photos

You'll need physical prints for your visa interview:

Resize your photo using this tool
Save as high-quality JPEG
Print on photo paper at any photo shop
Request 2×2 inch size (they'll know)
Get 4-6 copies (extras for backup)
Cost: Usually $10-15 for 4 prints

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ These Will Get Your Photo Rejected:

Using passport photo from India (wrong size - 35mm×45mm)
Wearing eyeglasses (even clear, non-prescription ones)
Selfie photos (usually wrong angle and lighting)
Photos with shadows or uneven lighting
Smiling photos (must be neutral expression)
Old photos (must be within 6 months)

US Visa Photo vs Other Countries

Different countries have different photo requirements:

USA: 2×2 inches (600×600 pixels) - Square, no glasses
India: 35mm×45mm (413×531 pixels) - Rectangular
UK: 35mm×45mm - Rectangular, glasses allowed
Canada: 35mm×45mm - Rectangular
Schengen: 35mm×45mm - Rectangular

Important: US visa photos are SQUARE (2×2), while most other countries use rectangular photos!

Visa Interview Checklist

Along with your photo, bring to the interview:

Valid passport (6+ months validity)
DS-160 confirmation page
Visa fee payment receipt
Interview appointment letter
Supporting documents (varies by visa type)
4-6 printed photos (2×2 inches)

US Visa Photo Resizer

Select Image to Resize

US Visa Photo Requirements (2025)