U.S. Visas photograph specifications

Important:  photos that do not conform to these requirement will not be accepted and applicants will be required to provide new ones.  This may lead to significant delays in visa processing.

Passport holders of Cambodia, China, Cuba, Laos, North Korea, Russia and Vietnam must submit two photos.  All other applicants should submit one photo.

The photograph of each visa applicant must be an unmounted full-face photo, taken within the past six months. A "full face" photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. The applicant should not be looking down or to either side, and the face should cover about 50 percent of the area of the photo. Although variations in hair styles and in head coverings make it difficult to rigorously define the term "face", in general, the head of the applicant, including both face and hair, should be shown from crown of the head to tip of chin on top and bottom and from hair line side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed.  Babies must have their eyes open.  The key requirement is that the photograph clearly identifies the applicant.

The photograph should measure 2 inches square (50 mm square) (either in color or black and white against a white or off-white background), and should be stapled to Form DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application). The staples should be placed as far away as possible from the applicant's face. Photographs taken in front of busy, patterned, or dark backgrounds will not be accepted.  Digital photographs will not be accepted.

Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not obscure any portion of the face of the applicant. Sunglasses or other paraphernalia, which detracts from the face, as defined above are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (e.g. an eye patch.) A photograph depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable. Photos of military, airline, or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable. Photographs of applicants wearing tribal, national costume or other headgear not specifically religious in nature are not acceptable.