Official requirements
| Photo size | 600 × 600 px digital · 2 × 2 in print |
|---|---|
| Digital size | 600 × 600 px |
| Head height | 50%–69% of photo height (chin to top of hair) |
| Eye height | 56%–69% from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white |
| File size | max 240 KB |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Submission | Online upload · Printed photo |
Rules to follow
- Upload a square color JPEG between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels.
- Keep the file at or below 240 KB.
- Your head (chin to top of hair) fills 50–69% of the image height.
- Your eyes sit 56–69% of the image height up from the bottom edge.
- Use a plain white or off-white background.
- No eyeglasses — only rare medical cases with a signed medical statement.
- Wear everyday clothes; uniforms are not allowed (daily religious clothing is fine).
- No headphones or wireless earpieces; hearing aids you normally wear are fine.
- The photo must be taken within the last 6 months.
Why U.S. Visa (DS-160 / DS-260) photos get rejected
- File over 240 KB or not square.
- Glasses in the photo.
- Photo copied or scanned from a driver’s license or another ID.
- Head covering that hides the hairline without a religious reason.
- Low-quality vending-machine or snapshot-style photo.
Our checks catch these before you download — and you see the result before you pay.
Questions
What happens if the DS-160 photo upload fails?
Finish the form anyway and bring one printed 2 × 2 in photo that meets the same rules to your interview, unless your embassy says otherwise.
Do immigrant visa applicants need printed photos too?
Yes. For a DS-260 immigrant visa you bring two identical 2 × 2 in photos to the interview, in addition to any digital upload.
Is 600 × 600 pixels the only allowed size?
It is the minimum. Anything square from 600 × 600 up to 1200 × 1200 pixels is accepted, as long as the file stays at or under 240 KB.
Can I wear a headscarf in my visa photo?
Yes, if you wear it daily for religious reasons. Your full face must be visible and the covering must not cast shadows on it.
Sources: U.S. Department of State – Visa Photo Requirements · U.S. Department of State – Digital Image Requirements · U.S. Department of State – Photo Composition Template. PhotoForUSA is an independent service, not affiliated with any government. Rules change — always check the official source before you apply.