See also: All documents with 51×51 mm size
The U.S. Department of State requires every passport photo to be exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), in color, on a plain white or off-white background. Photo-Visa.Online auto-validates every photo against the State Department's biometric checklist before payment — same checklist used at the acceptance facility.
Common rejection reasons by the State Department: glasses (banned since November 2016), uniforms (except religious clothing worn daily), shadows on face or background, low resolution, head tilted, eyes partly closed, mouth open, or photo over 6 months old. Photo-Visa.Online checks each of these automatically and rejects non-compliant uploads before you pay.
The 2×2 inch passport photo is required for Form DS-11 (first-time and minor passports), DS-82 (renewal by mail), DS-5504 (corrections) and DS-3053 (statement of consent for minors). The same photo also works for the U.S. visa application (DS-160 print version) and Green Card applications (I-485, I-130, I-90).
In-store passport photos cost $15–17 at CVS, Walgreens, USPS or FedEx. Photo-Visa.Online delivers a digital + print-ready file from $3 — same biometric standards, same acceptance guarantee. Print at home on photo paper or at any 1-hour photo lab.
The U.S. passport photo size is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), in color, on a plain white background. Head height from chin to top must be 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm).
Yes. The State Department accepts photos taken at home as long as they meet the 2×2 inch size, white background, and lighting requirements. Photo-Visa.Online auto-validates before payment so you pay only for compliant photos.
No. Eyeglasses have been banned in U.S. passport photos since November 1, 2016, with very limited medical exceptions requiring a doctor's note.
A photo is valid if taken within the last 6 months. If your appearance has changed significantly (new beard, weight change, glasses removed), use a fresh photo.
A digital file from Photo-Visa.Online starts at $3. A printable layout (4 photos on a 4×6 in sheet) starts at $4. Compare to $15–17 at CVS, Walgreens, or USPS.
Yes. We run the same biometric checks the U.S. acceptance facility uses (head height, eye line, background uniformity, expression). If your passport application is rejected because of the photo, we refund your money.