US visa photo size — 2×2 inch square for DS-160
Spec pending verification against the official source — confirm on the official portal before you submit.
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A US visa photo for the DS-160 form is a 2 × 2 inch square with a plain white background, and the head has to fill a specific percentage of the frame — too small or too large both get it rejected by the online photo tool.
The spec
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Shape | Square |
| Size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
| Background | Plain white |
| Head height | Roughly 50–69% of the photo height, chin to crown |
| Expression | Neutral, both eyes open, mouth closed |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
Last verified: UNVERIFIED — confirm against the current travel.state.gov DS-160 photo requirements page before submitting — the DS-160 online tool also runs its own automated check on upload.
Why the DS-160 photo tool rejects photos so often
The DS-160 system runs an automated face-detection check on your uploaded photo before it lets you continue. It's stricter than most Indian exam portals about head position, head size and background uniformity — a photo that would pass a passport check can still bounce here for having the head slightly off-centre or too small.
How to make one
- Upload a photo taken against any background in even light.
- It's cropped to a square with the head sized to the DS-160 percentage range, centred, on a pure white background.
- Download the file and upload it to the DS-160 photo field, or bring the print to your visa appointment if required.
FAQ
Is this the same size as the Indian e-Visa photo? The shape (2×2 in square) is the same, but the exact head-size percentage and file size limits differ. Use the Indian e-Visa preset for an India-bound application and this one for a US-bound one.
Can I wear a headscarf or head covering? Head coverings for religious purposes are generally permitted as long as the full face is visible from chin to forehead — confirm current guidance on travel.state.gov, since exceptions are documented precisely there.
What's the maximum file size? Historically a low KB ceiling well under 1 MB — confirm the current exact figure on the DS-160 photo tool before uploading, since portal limits do change.
Related: Indian visa photo size · UK / Schengen visa photo size · Passport photo hub
PhotoFix is an independent private utility. We are not affiliated with the US Department of State, any US embassy or consulate. Requirements change — always confirm on the official portal before you submit.