H-1B visa photo requirements

The H-1B work visa uses the standard US visa photo spec. For the DS-160 upload it must be a square JPEG between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels, under 240 KB, on a plain white or off-white background, taken within the last 6 months, with a neutral expression, no glasses, and the head filling 50 to 69 percent of the frame. If the consulate requests a printed photo it is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The photo must be unedited: US authorities reject digitally altered photos as of 2026.

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Measured against the official United States visa spec: head size, eye line, background, brightness and file limits. We never edit your photo.

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Click anywhere here, or drag and drop your photo. Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.

The DS-160 photo, not a corporate headshot

An H-1B applicant often has a polished LinkedIn or company headshot, but that is the wrong photo. The DS-160 needs a plain 2 x 2 inch square against a white background with a neutral expression. Shoot fresh, crop square to at least 600 x 600 pixels, and check the head fills 50 to 69 percent of the frame.

Unedited or it gets flagged

Corporate headshots are usually retouched, and retouched photos are rejected by US authorities. Submit the raw file. A free compliance check tells you honestly whether to retake before you upload, rather than after a consular officer flags it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use my work headshot for the H-1B visa?

No. A corporate headshot is usually retouched and rarely on a plain white background with a neutral expression. The DS-160 needs a plain, unedited 2 x 2 inch square taken within the last 6 months.

Is the H-1B photo different from the passport photo?

The US visa photo and US passport photo share the same 2 x 2 inch square format, white background, and 6-month recency rule. The main difference is that the DS-160 takes a digital upload under 240 KB.

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