Detailed visa photo submission instructions

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Why the Photo Tool on the US Department of State website is not fit to validate your US visa photo

US passport photo requirements and US visa photo requirements are similar:

How many photos do you need for US passport application?

One photo

Your photo should conform to the following requirements:

Your passport photo should be colored and printed on a quality photo paper.

US passport picture size should be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).

Full-face view. Your head should be seen from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin.

Expression of your face should be neutral. Natural smile is allowed.

Both eyes should be open.

Look straight at the camera.

Your eyes are located between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.

Your head must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25mm - 35 mm) from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin.

The photo should reflect your present-day appearance. It should be made within the last 6 months.

The background should be plain white or off-white.

Taken in your every-day clothing:

You should not wear uniforms except for religious cases.

Do not wear a hat except for religious cases.

Headphones, wireless hands-free devices or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.

Do not wear glasses. If you normally wear glasses, be sure that there is no reflection on them.

The digital image should meet the following criteria:

Acceptable Dimensions:

The height of the photo and the width should be the same.

Minimum 600 x 600 pixels.

Maximum 1200 x 1200 pixels.

Color:

The image must be in color (24 bits per pixel) in RGB color space

File Format:

JPEG

File Size:

Not more than 240 kB (kilobytes).

If you want to scan an existing photo:

It should be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)

Use a scanner with a resolution of 300 dpi

Your photos must not be digitally improved and your appearance must not be changed in any way.