United States visa / DS-160 photo requirements

Official United States visa / DS-160 photo size, head position, background and file rules, with a free checker that tells you if your photo is OK. 600 × 600 px, 51 × 51 mm.

Check my photo Pricing

Specifications

Photo size (digital)	600 × 600 pixels
Photo size (print)	51 × 51 mm
Head height	22–35 mm from chin to top of head
Background	White or off-white
File format	JPG, JPEG
File size	max 234 KB
Delivery	Digital
Rules last reviewed	2026-06-07

Published requirements

Square digital image, usually 600 x 600 px or larger
Printed equivalent is 2 x 2 in / 51 x 51 mm
Head 22-35 mm or 50-69% of image height
Plain white or off-white background

What a person still checks

These points cannot be measured reliably by software, so the result asks you to confirm them:

Neutral expression
Eyes open
Mouth closed
No eyeglasses

How PassportLens prepares it

Choose this programme in the studio — the size, head position, background and file limits above load automatically.
Add the photo — upload or use the guided camera.
Get the verdict — "Photo OK", or the one plain reason to retake.
Download — a JPG, JPEG file at 600 × 600 px, or a print sheet for 51 × 51 mm.

Common questions

What size is a United States visa / DS-160 photo?

600 × 600 pixels for digital use, 51 × 51 mm when printed. PassportLens crops and resizes to this automatically.

What background does a United States visa / DS-160 photo need?

White or off-white. Where the programme permits it, PassportLens replaces a busy background with a plain one; otherwise it tells you to retake against a plain wall.

Can I take it with my phone?

Yes. Stand in front of a plain wall in even daylight, hold the phone at eye level and use the guided camera or upload the photo.

Will it be accepted?

PassportLens checks the photo against these published requirements and tells you plainly whether it is OK. The final decision always belongs to the issuing authority.

Official sources

U.S. State Department visa photos

Requirements change. This page reflects the rules encoded in PassportLens as of 2026-06-07. PassportLens is not affiliated with any government; the issuing authority makes the final decision.