US visa photo requirements for applicants from Vietnam

US visa applications from Vietnam use the standard US photo spec with the DS-160 digital limits: a square JPEG between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels, under 240 KB, unedited, on a plain white background, taken within the last 6 months. Vietnamese document photos are typically a 4 x 6 cm rectangle with a light blue or grey background, which is the wrong shape and the wrong background for the US, so a reused local photo will not pass. On the DV lottery: in recent years natives of Vietnam have been eligible to enter, though the eligible-country list is re-announced every year, so confirm the current status before applying.

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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 Vietnamese ID photo is the wrong shape and colour

A photo taken for a Vietnamese passport or ID is usually a 4 x 6 cm rectangle on a blue or grey background. The US wants a 2 x 2 inch square on a plain white background. Shoot fresh against a plain white wall, crop square, and confirm the head fills 50 to 69 percent of the frame before you upload.

Do not let a studio edit the photo

Photo studios often smooth skin or swap the background to a solid colour, and edited photos are rejected by US authorities as of 2026. Ask for the raw, unedited file, or take it yourself. A free compliance check flags a problem before you upload, not at the consulate in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

Frequently asked questions

Can Vietnamese citizens enter the DV green card lottery?

In recent years natives of Vietnam have been eligible, but the eligible-country list is re-announced every year. Confirm Vietnam's current status in the official instructions before entering.

Can I reuse my Vietnamese passport photo for the US visa?

No. It is a different shape (4 x 6 cm rather than a 2 x 2 inch square) and usually has a blue or grey background instead of the required plain white. Take a fresh photo to the US spec.

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