U.S. visa photo requirements : everything you need to know

Quick read - for people in a hurry

Size must be 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm).
Taken within the last 6 months on a plain white background.
Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed; no glasses unless medically necessary.
Digital format: JPEG, 600 × 600 pixels, ≤240 KB.
No uniforms; everyday clothing only.
Religious head coverings allowed if the face is fully visible.
Easiest option: use Smartphone iD to take and validate your photo from home.

Getting the right photo for your U.S. visa application is crucial — one small mistake can lead to delays or rejection. In this guide, you’ll learn the official U.S. visa photo requirements and how to take a compliant picture easily at home.

Last update: 09/30/2025

US visa photo requirements & size
Photo for us visa near me
Take your us visa photo with our visa photo maker
FAQ

U.S. visa photo requirements & size

If you want to have a go at taking your own U.S. visa photo, you'll need to adhere to all the requirements that the United States government sets out on its Department of State website.

Recent: Taken within the last 6 months.
Clear: Free of pixels and blur.Face is entirely visible in the photo.
Color and Shadow-Free: In color with no shadows on your face or background.
Plain White Background: The background must be solid white.
Neutral Expression: Eyes wide open with a neutral facial expression.
Head Uncovered: Your head shouldn't be covered, except for religious purposes, and your hair should be visible.
No Glasses (Medical Exception): No glasses unless for medical reasons; they must not cover your eyes or create reflections.

Size requirements

A US Visa photo must be 2 inches x 2 inches in size.
The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 25mm to 35mm (1 and 1 3/8 inches), with the eye level between 28mm and 35 mm (1 & 1/8 inch to 1 & 3/8 inches) from the bottom of the photograph.

If you're using the online application upload service: your photo

Must be in JPEG (.jpg) format
File size must be equal to or less than 240 kilobytes
Must be in a square aspect ratio, so the height and width are the same
Must be 600x600 pixels in dimension

If you scan a physical photo for online upload:

Your photo must be 2 inches x 2 inches.
Make sure the scan resolution is 300 pixels per inch (ppi) or 12 pixels per millimeter.

We all make mistakes because it's so easy to forget about the small details! If you use 'Smartphone iD', you can be sure that your US Visa photo will be 100% certified for your application.

We use dual certification as our app's artificial intelligence checks your photo as well as our in-house biometrics experts.

Photo for a U.S. visa near me

Want to find out where you can get a U.S. visa photo in your area ? You can try these tips to help.

Try an online search for "U.S. Visa photos near me"
Look out for pharmacies or large convenience stores near you. You can usually find a store by using their online store locator in your area.
Phone up pharmacies or large convenience stores to find out the locations of their photography services.

Remember, you don't have to leave the house to take quality Visa photos. You can take them with your smartphone. Read below to find out how.

Take your U.S. visa photo with our visa photo maker

Did you know you can take U.S. Visa photos on your smartphone that are guaranteed to be accepted?

Follow these easy steps to do it today!

Use our visa photo maker for a quick and easy visa photo by clicking the "Take a Photo" button.
Select which country you want to produce a visa photo for
Select which document type you want the photo for (visa, ETA, ESTA, etc.)
Receive photos digitally via email, as soon as our AI and experts approve them
Use these digital copies to print them yourself. Or, you can use our printing service to make your photo even easier.

Not sure about 'Smartphone iD'? Don't worry, we offer a full money-back guarantee if your photos aren't accepted (unlikely).

Summary

There are loads of helpful websites out there for editing and cropping to get the right US Visa photo size online, but they don’t check whether your photo is compliant or not. It's so easy to take a US Visa photo on your phone, especially when there's an all-in-one app like Smartphone iD.

Our app makes sure you get an expert check and it’s cheap and easy to use. Why not give it a try?

FAQ

What is the size of photo for a U.S. Visa?

The United States Visa photo size requirement is:2 inches x 2 inches.

Where can I get a U.S. visa photo taken?

Most convenience stores or pharmacies will have an online store locator so you can find out where they offer US Visa photo services.

How can I take a photo for a US visa?

You can easily take a US Visa photo from home using ‘Smartphone iD’.

Scroll up to find out how to do it.

Does Walmart take a visa photos?

Yes, Walmart offers U.S. visa photos, but availability, prices, and opening hours vary by location.

Can I take a visa photo on my phone?

Yes. Use Smartphone iD to take a compliant U.S. visa photo at home.

Sources

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html