United States Visa Photo: check yours against the official spec
A US visa photo must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), square, with a plain white or off-white background — the same specification as a US passport photo. Your head (chin to top of hair) must measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) and your eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches (28-35 mm) from the bottom. Submit an original, unedited photo: the US treats a digitally altered or AI-edited visa photo as misrepresentation.
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.
United States visa photo requirements
| Photo size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 1 to 1 3/8 in (25–35 mm) |
| Eye height from bottom | 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 in (28–35 mm) |
| Background | plain white or off-white |
| Digital file | JPEG, at least 600 × 600 px |
Common reasons a United States visa photo is rejected
- The photo has been digitally altered, filtered, or AI-edited. For visa applicants this is especially serious: the US State Department treats a deliberately manipulated photo as misrepresentation, which can carry consequences for your application beyond a simple retake.
- Background is not plain white/off-white, or has a shadow or pattern.
- Head is too small or too large in the frame (outside 25-35 mm).
- Eyes are too high or too low in the frame.
- Glasses, head covering (except documented religious/medical), non-neutral expression, closed eyes, or head tilted/turned.
Frequently asked questions
Is a US visa photo the same size as a passport photo?
Yes. A US visa photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), square, with a plain white background — the same specification as a US passport photo. The digital version must be at least 600 x 600 pixels.
Can I use an AI tool to edit my US visa photo?
No, and it matters more for visas. The US State Department rejects digitally altered, filtered, or AI-edited photos, and treats a deliberately manipulated visa photo as misrepresentation, which can affect your application. This tool only measures, validates, and crops your original photo — it never alters the pixels. If the background or lighting fails, retake against a plain white wall in even light.
What background does a US visa photo need?
A plain white or off-white background with no shadows, patterns, or other people or objects.
How big should my head be in a US visa photo?
Your head, from the bottom of your chin to the top of your hair, must be between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm).