US Visa Photo Requirements (DS-160)
Every nonimmigrant U.S. visa application — B1/B2 tourist, F-1 student, J-1 exchange, H-1B work, K-1 fiancé and others — uses the DS-160 form, which requires a square photo that meets U.S. Department of State biometric standards. Photo-Visa.Online produces both the digital DS-160 upload (600×600 px JPEG) and a printable 2×2 in version from a single phone photo.
DS-160 Digital Upload Requirements
- Format: JPEG
- Aspect ratio: square (1:1)
- Minimum dimensions: 600×600 pixels
- Maximum dimensions: 1200×1200 pixels
- File size: no larger than 240 KB
- Color, 24-bit color depth
- Plain white or off-white background
- Head height: 50–69% of frame (chin to crown)
Printable 2×2 Inch Requirements
- Print size: 2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
- Resolution: high, no grain or pixelation
- White background
- Head height: 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm)
- Color, on photo-quality matte or glossy paper
Why DS-160 Photos Get Rejected
The most common DS-160 photo rejections are: shadows on the face or background, eyeglasses (banned since 2016), wrong head proportion (face too small or too large in frame), low resolution under 600×600 px, non-square aspect ratio, photo older than 6 months. Photo-Visa.Online runs all checks before payment.
How to Make a DS-160 Photo at Home
- Stand against a plain white wall, well-lit by daylight (no overhead bulb).
- Have someone take the photo at eye level from 4–5 feet away (or use a self-timer) — face the camera directly, neutral expression.
- Upload to Photo-Visa.Online, select US Visa Photo.
- Receive both 600×600 px JPEG (for DS-160 upload) and a printable 2×2 in file in 2 minutes.
Visa Categories Using This Photo
The same 2×2 in / 600×600 px specification applies to B1/B2 (business/tourist), F-1 / M-1 (student), J-1 (exchange visitor), H-1B / H-2A / H-2B / L-1 (work), O-1 (extraordinary ability), K-1 (fiancé), and R-1 (religious worker). Diversity Visa (DV Lottery) entries use a slightly different specification — see our DV Lottery photo page.
