DS-160 photo requirements (US visa)
The DS-160 online nonimmigrant visa form asks for a digital photo. This page summarizes the usual rules in plain language. Rules can change—confirm on the official travel.state.gov visa photo page before you upload. PassPhotoSnap is an independent tool and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of State.
Digital file (what the form usually accepts)
- Color JPEG, square (same width and height).
- Common size range: 600×600 to 1200×1200 pixels.
- File size often must be under 240 KB (the form will reject oversized files).
- Taken within the last 6 months, looking like you look today.
Composition (same idea as a 2×2 print)
- Head height (chin to top of hair): about 50–69% of the image height.
- Face the camera; both eyes open; neutral expression or a natural smile.
- Plain white or off-white background—no patterns or other people.
- No glasses (unless a rare medical exception applies); no filters or face edits.
How PassPhotoSnap helps
Choose the US 2×2 size, upload a selfie, align the head guides, and export a square JPG. Compress the file if the DS-160 upload still says it is too large. We never retouch faces—only crop, scale, slight rotate, and background help.
Related: US visa photo 2×2 · Digital 600×600 · All guides