US visa photo for the DS-160
The US visa photo is the same square format as the US passport photo, and the glasses ban applies here too. If you are uploading to the DS-160 form, the file has its own size ceiling that catches people out.
Start now · €4.99 Refund if the office rejects it
Specification
Size2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm), square
Head height50 to 69% of the frame
Resolution600 x 600 px at 300 DPI
DS-160 uploadJPEG, max 240 KB
BackgroundWhite or off-white
GlassesNot permitted
Requirements
- Square photo, 51 x 51 mm
- Head occupies 50 to 69 percent of the image height
- Plain white or off-white background
- No glasses, banned since November 2016
- Neutral expression, both eyes open
- No head covering except for religious reasons
- Taken within the last 6 months
What gets photos rejected
- Uploading a rectangular photo made for a European document
- A DS-160 file over the 240 KB ceiling
- Keeping glasses on, which no everyday exception covers
- Head too small, the most common sizing failure on a square frame
Questions
What size is a US visa photo?
2 by 2 inches, which is 51 by 51 millimetres. It is square, the same as the US passport photo and different from the rectangle used across Europe.
Can I wear glasses for a US visa photo?
No. The ban has applied since November 2016 and there is no exception for people who wear them daily, only a documented medical reason.
What file size does the DS-160 accept?
A JPEG up to 240 KB. This is much tighter than the passport renewal upload, so a file that worked there may be refused here.
Can I reuse my US passport photo for the visa?
The dimensions match, so it will usually fit. Check the age: both require a photo from the last six months.