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United States · U.S. Department of State · Verified October 22, 2026

US Visa Photo (DS-160) — 600×600 to 1200×1200 px, under 240 KB, Make It in Seconds

  • 600×600 to 1200×1200 px
  • under 240 KB
  • JPG
  • White or off-white

Off by default: this authority rejects edited backgrounds. Take the photo against a plain wall instead — we'll check it.

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Processed on your device. Never uploaded.

Everything on this page is set to the official US Visa Photo (DS-160) specification from U.S. Department of State. Written for: travellers and residents of the UK, EU, Gulf states and Asia-Pacific applying for a US B1/B2, F, J, H or L visa.

US Visa Photo (DS-160) requirements

Official requirements for the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
DocumentDS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Issued byU.S. Department of State (United States)
Pixelsmin 600 × 600, max 1200 × 1200
Aspect ratio1:1 (square)
File sizeunder 240 KB
FormatJPG
Background colorWhite or off-white
Head height50–69% of photo height
Eye line56–69% up from the bottom edge
ColorColor photo required
Taken withinthe last 6 months
Submitted asDigital upload and/or printed photo
head 50–69%600–1200 px600–1200 pxeyes 56–69% up
Generated from the official measurements

The rules in plain words

  • Square JPEG between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, no larger than 240 KB.
  • Colour (24-bit, sRGB).
  • Head from chin to top of hair is 50–69% of the image height; eyes sit 56–69% up from the bottom edge.
  • Taken in the last 6 months, against a plain white or off-white background.
  • Full face, looking straight at the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open.
  • No eyeglasses (since November 2016) unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons.
  • No head covering unless worn daily for religious reasons; it must not cast shadows on the face.

How to take a US Visa Photo at home

  1. 1Stand about half a metre in front of a white or off-white wall. Distance from the wall stops shadows behind your head.
  2. 2Face a window or soft light so both sides of your face are evenly lit — no harsh overhead light.
  3. 3Ask someone to hold the camera at your eye level, 1–1.5 m away. Selfies at arm's length make noses look bigger and get rejected.
  4. 4Look straight at the lens with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, hair away from your eyes.
  5. 5Take off your glasses unless you have a medical reason to wear them.
  6. 6Drop the photo here and download the result — it is ready to upload.

Tips specific to this document

  • The DS-160 upload runs a strict automatic check — dimensions, square aspect and file size must be exact before you start.
  • Some consulates also ask for a printed 2×2 inch copy at the interview: use the print sheet after downloading.
  • Keep the same file: the image you upload must match the photo you bring, if one is requested.

Common reasons photos are rejected

  • File over 240 KB or not square.
  • Glasses, even clear lenses.
  • Head too small (photo taken from too far away).
  • Busy or coloured background.

Questions people ask

What size is a US Visa Photo?

U.S. Department of State requires 600×600 to 1200×1200 px, with a file size under 240 KB. ExactFit sizes your photo to exactly this and shows a checklist so you can confirm before you submit.

How big should my head be in the photo?

Measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (including hair), your head must take up 50–69% of the photo height. The tool detects your face and crops to land inside this range automatically.

What background color is required?

White or off-white, plain and without shadows or patterns. U.S. Department of State does not accept digitally edited backgrounds, so take the photo against a plain wall; ExactFit checks the background but leaves it unchanged by default.

Can I wear glasses?

No eyeglasses (since November 2016) unless they cannot be removed for medical reasons.

How recent does the photo need to be?

It must have been taken within the last 6 months and look like you do now.

Can I take a US Visa Photo with my phone?

Yes. Have someone else take it at eye level from about 1–1.5 m away with light in front of you. iPhone HEIC files work directly.

Is my photo uploaded anywhere?

No. All processing — face detection, cropping, background and compression — runs inside your browser. Your photo never leaves your device.

Will my photo be accepted?

ExactFit checks every measurable requirement against the official rules, but the final decision is made by U.S. Department of State. Follow the checklist and the official guidance linked on this page.

Official source

Last verified against the official source: October 22, 2026

ExactFit is not affiliated with any government. Requirements can change; always confirm with the official source. No guarantee of acceptance.

Spotted a change? Tell us and we’ll re-verify within days.