United States Visa (DS-160) Photo Requirements

The complete spec for a United States Visa (DS-160) photo, and how to hit it at home.

Print size	51 × 51 mm
Digital	600 × 600 min
Head height	50–69% of height
Background	White
Fine print	Taken within 6 months; no glasses preferred; neutral expression with both eyes open.

How to shoot it

1. Daylight facing a window, plain white wall — see the lighting tutorial.
2. Check head height against the spec above before cropping — it is the #1 silent rejection.
3. Crop to exact size with the ID photo tool (this spec's proportions are baked in), print matte.
4. Confirm current rules with the issuing authority — specs drift, especially for digital submissions.

Other specs

FAQ

What size is a United States Visa (DS-160) photo?

51 × 51 millimetres (600 × 600 min in pixels where digital submission applies). Head height should be 50–69% of height of the frame.

What background does the United States Visa (DS-160) photo need?

White. Keep the background evenly lit — shadows are a top rejection cause. Taken within 6 months; no glasses preferred; neutral expression with both eyes open.