U.S. visitor visa guide
U.S. visa photo requirements
Photo specs for the DS-160 upload and the interview: size, background, and what to avoid.
Short answer
Use a recent 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) color photo, white or off-white background, front view, head between 25–35 mm tall, no glasses unless medically required, and no heavy retouching or filters.
Size and background
- 51×51 mm (2×2 inches)
- White or off-white plain background
- Color photo, sharp and not blurry
Face position
- Front view, facing the camera
- Head height about 25–35 mm
- Neutral expression, eyes open and visible
What to avoid
Filters, beauty retouching, and old photos are common reasons an upload fails. If you wear glasses daily, remove them unless a medical note says otherwise.
FAQ
Can I wear glasses?
Usually no. Remove them unless they are medically required.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last six months.
Can I use a filtered selfie?
No. Heavy filters and retouching make the photo invalid.
Official sources
Links to public government pages for verification.