🇺🇸 United States visa photo requirements 2026
Last verified against U.S. Department of State — Bureau of Consular Affairs on 2026-05-27. Source: travel.state.gov.
We approximate the published rules. The consulate makes the final call. Details
Check your photo
Upload a photo and we will verify it against the United States rules below. First check is free.
Check my photo →At a glance
- Size
- 51 × 51 mm
- Head height
- 25–35 mm (chin to crown)
- Background
- Plain white or off-white
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed
- Maximum age of photo
- 6 months
Top reasons United States photos get rejected
- 1
Wearing eyeglasses
Fix: Remove glasses; do not use prescription frames or sunglasses
- 2
Background not pure white or has shadows
Fix: Use a plain white wall with diffused front lighting
- 3
Head too small or too large in frame
Fix: Crop so head occupies 50–69% of image height
- 4
Smiling with teeth visible
Fix: Use neutral expression with mouth closed
- 5
Photo older than 6 months
Fix: Take a new photo
- 6
Filter or beauty mode applied
Fix: Use unedited photo; turn off all camera enhancements
What is specific to United States
- Glasses prohibition is stricter than most countries — even thin frames count.
- Online DS-160 form may auto-reject photo before submission if quality fails algorithmic check.
- U.S. uses square format (2x2 in / 51x51 mm). Most other countries use rectangular (35x45 mm). Do not reuse a Schengen photo for U.S. application.