The US visa photo is an essential component of your US visa application. All US visa applicants must review the instructions below on how to supply an appropriate us visa photo size to facilitate their visa process. For most of the US visa categories,US embassy picture requirements include both Printed and Digital photographs. The approval of your digital picture or printed photograph hinges on compliance with the US visa photo format.To ensure that your photo fits all of US visa picture requirements, we recommend that you hire a professional visa photographer service or strictly follow the US visa photo format and size guidelines mentioned in this article.
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US visa photo format
All US visa applicants must carefully consider the us visa picture requirements and US visa photo format. Applicants require a digital photo and printed photo for most of the US visa categories.
For a US visa, a photograph must be Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background.
While following US visa photo format the head size in the photograph must be between 50% and 70% of the image’s overall height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, or between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) in height.
The us visa photographs must be taken over the last six months to capture how you currently looks
The photograph must be taken with the person being photographed facing the camera in full-face view with both eyes open and a neutral look
US visa photo size
The image shows US visa photo size .The US visa application photo size is 51 × 51 mm (two by two inches)
US visa pictures require is minimum of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimetre).
US embassy picture requirements
The US visa applicants must follow the US embassy picture requirements carefully otherwise the visa photograph will be rejected. The chart is given with very clear instruction so the applicants may meet the picture requirements for US embassy.
Clothing Requirements : Applicants must wear the usual clothes that they ordinarily wear so they feel comfortable and look natural,except for religious attire used daily, uniforms should not be worn in photographs.
Face Expression Requirements for US visa : Photograph a person’s face with a neutral or wry smile. Ensure that they have open, noticeable eyes and there are no fake smile or expression.
Picture requirements for US visa: Check to see if the person’s visa photo complies with the photo rules like no obstruction, shadows, or light.
Blured face: A clear face in photograph is the key US picture requirements and make sure that there is no blure face.
Picture Size : Applicants must make sure that the photo is taken with right Dimensions for US visa photo so very small face or very large face or close face in photo will not be accepted.
Photoshoped Picture: Any US visa photograph which is photoshopped for any reason will not meet the US embassy picture requirements.
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Glasses requirements for US visa: USA visa applicants must not wear any glasses or sunglasses in the picture.However in some cases glasses are allowed but the applicants must make sure that there isn’t any glare on their glasses that blocks their vision.
Photo Background: The US visa photograph must be taken against a white background without patterns and any photo with dark background will be rejected.
Once you have the right photo, print it at a nearby photo shop or through an online photo service. Make sure the print is of high-resolution
Digital photo requirements for US visa
The US visa applicants must upload a digital photo or scanned photo on the US visa portal as a part of the US visa process.
The digital image must meet the requirements listed below
Dimensions for us visa photo
The height and width of the image must be identical in order for it to have a square aspect ratio. The minimum acceptable size is 600 by 600 pixels. The maximum allowable size is 1200 by 1200 pixels. Please read the photo specifications for the precise proportions.
US visa Digital photograph Color
The digital image or scanned photograph for a US visa must be in color (24 bits per pixel) in sRGB color space which is the common output for most digital cameras. The US visa photo specifications require a white background digital photo while you apply for US visa.
US visa digital photo format and file size
The US visa digital photo image must be in JPEG file format and the US visa photo size must be less than or equal to 240 kB.
US visa digital photo Compression ratio
US visa applicants may need to compress the US visa photograph file to meet the American visa photo size. The compression ratio should be less than or equal to 20:1.
US visa photo specifications also require the person’s head and shoulders in the picture and the head must have some room above.
Scanning an existing photo for a US visa application?
Applicants can use an existing photo for their U.S. visa application, provided it meets all the US visa photo specifications outlined by the U.S. Department of State. Here’s is the guideline to scan an existing photo for U.S. visa requirements.
The applicant must ensure that the existing photo meets all the U.S. visa photo requirements, including size, background, head positioning, and other specifications.
In addition to the Digital photo requirements for a US visa, your existing photo must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) and the photograph for US visa must be Scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimetre)
US Department of State’s free photo tool (US visa photo maker)
US Department of State offers a free tool to crop and download a visa image. US visa size photo converter online free tool can help you to easily edit your US visa photo.To use this US visa photo maker US visa applicants must select a scanned /digital image stored on their computer
US visa applicants must Resize and rotate the photograph if required
Crop the photograph to a square image of exactly 600 x 600 pixels, and save it to the Computer for printing
You can use US visa Free photo maker tool Link is as follows
https://tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo
Note that only photo cropping is intended for use with this tool. The final assessment on whether or not your visa photo meets the criteria for your application will be made by a Department of State staff.
Paper Photo /Printed photograph requirements for US Visa
The printed photographs for US visa requires that the Printed Photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches in size. The height of the head (top of hair to bottom of chin) should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm – 35 mm).
The photographer must make sure the eye height is between 1 1/8 inches to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm – 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. The US visa photographs must be printed on a plain white or off-white background.
How to Get US Visa Photographs?
All US visa applicants are strongly advised to strictly follow the US visa picture requirements and take these photographs from Professional photography studios. Several studios specialize in taking images for passports and visas. They have practice conforming to the exact specifications for these kinds of images.
How to take US visa pics yourself?
It is possible to take your own U.S. visa photographs, but in order for your photo to be approved with your visa application, you must strictly comply to US visa photo requirements.
If you want to take your pictures for a U.S. visa, follow these simple steps.
⦁ Use a high-resolution camera on a digital camera or smartphone for the setup.
⦁ Take a white or off-white background without any patterns or items and Make sure the background is clear and shadow-free.
⦁ Hold the camera at eye level with the person who is being photographed.
⦁ Take the person’s head and shoulders in the frame and make sure that the head should have some room above.
⦁ Make sure that the US visa requires a person’s face with a neutral or wry smile and ensure that the applicant has open eyes.
⦁ Check to see if the person’s head covering complies with the US visa photo specification and also make sure that no glare on your glasses blocks your vision.
⦁ Once you have the right photo, print it at a nearby photo shop or through an online photo service. Make sure the print is of high-resolution
In what circumstances a US visa applicants wear glasses?
Except in very rare cases where eyeglasses cannot be removed for medical reasons, such as when the applicant has recently undergone ocular surgery and the eyeglasses are required to safeguard the applicant’s eyes, eyeglasses are no longer permitted in new visa photos. In these situations, a medical statement that has been authorized by a doctor or other health care provider must be Provided. The frames of the eyeglasses must not cover the eye(s) if they are worn for medical reasons. The glare from spectacles must not cover the eye(s). The eye(s) must not be obscured by shadows or refraction caused by the spectacles.
US visa picture requirements for Wearing a Hearing aid in a Photograph?
If a US visa applicant typically wears a hearing aid or other similar items, they can be visible in the picture and the US visa photo will be approved.
Head covering instructions for US visa
For religious or medical reasons, head coverings are typically acceptable for US visa pictures. The head covering must not cast any shadows or glare and must not obscure the entire view of the face. Make sure the head covering permits a good view of the face from ear to ear, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead.
Provide a written declaration from a medical professional outlining the ailment and the need for the head covering if it is required for medical reasons.
For the visa photo to effectively depict your typical appearance, consistency with regular clothing is essential.
US visa photo requirements ds 160| US visa photographs requirements for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Using Form DS-1648
The DS-160 or DS-1648 online forms for nonimmigrant visa applications require you to upload your digital photo or scanned photo as part of completing the online visa application form. If you are scanning an existing photo, take a look at the Digital Image requirements, which also list additional criteria.
Some embassies and consulates ask visa applicants to present one (1) valid photo to the interview. To learn more, see the instructions for the embassy or consulate where you will apply.
US visa photographs requirements for Form DS-260 Immigrant Visa Applicants
Applicants filling out Form DS-260 to apply for an immigrant visa must bring two (2) us visa photographs to their immigrant visa interview.
The us visa application photo size is 51 × 51 mm (two by two inches)
us visa pictures requirements is a minimum of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter)
US visa photograph requirement for Diversity Visa Programme (DV)
For an online US Diversity Visa (DV) applicants require a digital photograph with their application. US visa photograph must include the following elements:
US visa photo format is JPEG (.jpg) file type. The US visa picture File size must be equal to or less than 240 kB.
In the case of a square proportion (height must equal width) the US visa photograph must be 600×600 pixels in size
DV applicant US visa pictures requirements for Interview
Each DV applicant must provide two photographs including a printed Picture on photo-quality paper. The Visa photo size must be 51 × 51 mm (two by two inches) and the picture must also have 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter) resolution scan
USA visa requirements for your infant or kid’s Pictures.
For a successful US visa application process, It’s important to follow these guidelines carefully when taking the child’s photo for the visa application to avoid any delays or issues with the application. When photographing your infant or toddler, there should be no other people in the picture, and your child should be looking at the camera with his or her eyes open.
It might be difficult to capture a good photo of a young child for a visa application, but with patience and the appropriate strategy, you can succeed.
Here is infant pictures ideas and a step-by-step tutorial on how to take a child’s visa photo must be taken
Step 1: Put on the child’s everyday clothes. Avoid giving the youngster any apparel with busy designs or that conceals their face.
Step 2: Make sure the kid is happy and well-rested. When the youngster is calm and agreeable, try to take the photo.
Step 3:Lay a simple white or off-white sheet over your infant’s back. This will guarantee that your baby’s head is supported and provide the picture a simple background. Especially if you take a photo from above of your infant sleeping down, be sure there are no shadows on their face.
Step 4: Take a picture of your Baby Passport Photo (USA) in the car seat while it is covered with a basic white or off-white sheet. Also, make sure that the infant’s head is supported so he does not move and you can take a good photograph.
Important information regarding Significant Change of Appearance during the US visa process?
In general, you won’t need to submit a new photo if the one from your US visa application can still be used to identify you. For instance, changing your hair colour or growing a beard would not typically be regarded as a big change in look.
Your child under the age of 16 won’t typically need to submit a fresh photo if their appearance has changed as a result of ageing normally. However, the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply will decide whether to accept your photo or digital image.
If a person needs to obtain a U.S. visa and his appearance has changed significantly in the last few months due to the following factors
⦁ The applicant has experienced severe facial trauma or surgery
⦁ The US visa applicant has removed or added numerous or significant face tattoos or piercings
⦁ The applicant had a substantial weight gain or loss
⦁ The applicant completed a gender change
If you have undergone any of the above-mentioned factors then you must provide a recent and accurate photo for your visa application.