U.S. Visa Passport Photo Size and Other Requirements Explained

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Meet the U.S. Visa Passport Photo Size Requirements With Ease

Taking a picture nowadays isn’t a problem because you can snap it with your phone in no time. The method is not as easy if you need it for your visa application.

You must meet the U.S. visa passport photo size and additional requirements for your application to be accepted.

Should you turn to a professional photographer, or are there other ways to get an appropriate photo? DoNotPay has the right info and an easy solution.

What Is the Passport Photo Size for the U.S. Visa?

The U.S. visa passport photo size needs to be 2 x 2 inches (51 mm x 51 mm). In addition, your head must be positioned:

  • Between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm–35 mm)
  • 50% and 69% of the image’s total height from the bottom of your chin to the top of the head

Depending on the type of U.S. visa and the embassy where you submit your application, you may need:

  1. Physical photos—You must print and send them with your visa application
  2. Digital photos—You should attach them online while submitting the official forms

The American Visa Passport Photo Size—Digital Photo Requirements

If the U.S. embassy asks you to submit a digital photo online, it needs to fulfill the following requirements. The photo must be:

  1. Square
  2. 1200 ×1200 pixels
  3. In color such as the sRGB color space
  4. In JPEG format and not more than 240 kilobytes

If you have a physical photo meeting the U.S. visa photo requirements—i.e., 2 × 2 inches (51 mm × 51 mm)—you can scan it, but make sure the resolution is:

  • 300 pixels per inch
  • 12 pixels per millimeter

Additional U.S. Visa Passport Photo Requirements

Besides the passport picture size for a U.S. visa, you also need to meet a few additional passport photo requirements. The photo must be in color and taken:

  1. With no shadows
  2. Within the last six months
  3. Against a plain white background

Here’s what else you need to pay attention to:

You MustYou Must Not
  • Keep your eyes open
  • Face the camera directly
  • Have a neutral expression, i.e., no exaggerated smiles
  • Wear a uniform or camouflage clothing
  • Have any face coverings or masks
  • Wear any headdress unless for religious reasons (but it must not cover your face)
  • Have any electronic devices, e.g., headphones (unless it’s a medical, e.g., hearing device)
  • Wear eyeglasses except for medical reasons, which would also require a statement from your doctor

You can wear your everyday clothes when taking a passport photo. If you need to have your eyeglasses on, make sure that:

  1. There is no glare or shadows
  2. Your eyes are visible, i.e., the frames must not cover them

Where To Take U.S. Visa Passport Photos

Since the U.S. visa passport photo requirements are strict and extensive, it might not be easy to take one at home on your phone or iPad. One of the options is to seek a professional photographer to ensure your photo is not rejected.

Here are some places where you can have your passport photo taken:

Before heading to one of these locations, you should inquire if:

  1. They provide the photo service—In some cases, only selected locations offer this type of service
  2. You can get the whole service—Some places only offer photo printing, so you’ll need to upload a digital photo through their online system and collect the physical photos in person
  3. The cost is suitable for you—Most charge around $15, but it varies from a company and location
  4. You have to schedule an appointment—Some don’t provide a walk-in service, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic
  5. The waiting time is too long—In most cases, you’ll need to wait for an hour to get your photos

Do you find this process time-consuming and complicated? There’s another way! and get your visa and passport photos in a matter of minutes.

Pick DoNotPay as your Passport Photographer

With DoNotPay, you won’t have to:

  • Visit a physical location to have your passport photo taken
  • Roam around while waiting for your photos to be processed and printed
  • Pay a hefty amount for photo services

We know what the government requirements are, and we’ll ensure your photo meets them.

and take the following steps:

  1. Select our Passport Photos feature
  2. Snap a headshot on your phone or upload a photo

The whole process doesn’t take more than a few minutes. You can initiate it anytime and anywhere, be it your home, office, airport, or another convenient place.

Our AI-powered app will let you know if your uploaded photo doesn’t fit the requirements as we cannot change your head position or remove forbidden face or head coverings.

We’ll take care of other details and send you your photo via email. If you need a physical copy, let our chatbot know, and we’ll send it by mail.

Find your place of residence in the table below to see where you can have your passport photo taken:

San DiegoSacramentoBostonAlbuquerqueRaleigh
HoustonAtlantaPhoenixSan FranciscoDenver
CincinnatiRochesterLos AngelesColumbusScottsdale
HonoluluMinneapolisChicagoTallahasseeKansas City
New York CityPortlandPhiladelphiaAustinRockville
SeattleCharlestonSan JoseSan AntonioCharlotte
HerndonColvilleIndianapolisLas VegasBrooklyn

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