United States Visa (DS-160) Photo Maker
A United States visa (ds-160) photo must measure exactly 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inches) with a plain white background. The head, from chin to crown, must occupy 50–69% of the photo's height. For digital submission that is 600 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI. The recorded official source was checked on 2026-08-04. IDPhotoTool offers background processing as a tool capability; this is not a claim that the authority explicitly permits digital replacement.
Make yours below — free preview, one-time $3.99 for HD.
Before you upload
✓✅ Recommended
Good starting photo
×❌ Too close
Avoid close-up selfies
×❌ Poor lighting
Avoid backlighting and strong shadows
Face forward, head and shoulders visible, even light and a plain background.
Official photo specifications
Output: 51 × 51 mm · 600 × 600 px @ 300 DPI
Required for United States: White
The free file is a watermarked preview, not a submission-ready official photo.
HD download includes the exact-size digital photo, a 600 DPI print master, and a ready-to-print 4×6" sheet.
What IDPhotoTool can change
Available for this profile
- ✓ Crop
- ✓ Resize
- ✓ Reposition
- ✓ Background replacement
Unavailable for this profile
- × Facial retouching
Background processing is available as a tool capability. This is not a claim of official permission.
Read the recorded official guidance →How to take a photo that passes
Keep your distance
Avoid a close-up selfie. Step back far enough to keep your head and shoulders in frame, or ask someone else to take the photo. This is general capture guidance, not a document-specific authority distance rule.
Face the camera straight on
Camera at eye level, look directly into the lens, neutral expression with your mouth closed. Don't tilt your head.
Find even light
Face a window or light source so there are no shadows on your face. Use the plain background required by your authority; some documents do not permit digital replacement.
United States visa (ds-160) photo requirements
| Size | 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) |
| Digital size | 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI |
| Background | White |
| Head height | 50–69% of photo height |
- ✓Digital photo for the DS-160 form must be square, between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 pixels.
- ✓Printed photos must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
- ✓Plain white or off-white background.
- ✓Head height between 50% and 69% of the image height.
- ✓Glasses are not allowed in US visa photos (since 2016).
Database last reviewed 2026-07-13. Confirm with the issuing authority before submitting an application. See the full requirements database. Always confirm with the issuing authority before submitting your application.
Frequently asked questions
Is my photo uploaded to a server?
Cropping, resizing and basic checks are handled in your browser whenever possible. Your photo is uploaded temporarily only when a feature requires server-side processing, and temporary files are automatically deleted.
Will my photo be accepted by the authorities?
The tool crops your photo to the selected document dimensions and places head-position guides based on the current database record. You are responsible for confirming the issuing authority's current rules and following the posing guidance (neutral expression, no glasses, even lighting).
How do I print my passport photo?
The HD download includes a 4×6 inch print sheet with several copies laid out with cut lines. Print it at any pharmacy, photo kiosk or online print service as a standard 4×6 photo, then cut along the lines.
What does the free version include?
You can use the quality checks, cropping, all size presets and background removal where the selected document permits it, then download a watermarked preview for free. The one-time HD purchase removes the watermark and adds the print sheet.
What kind of photo should I start with?
Use a sharp, well-lit photo taken straight-on at eye level, with your full head and shoulders visible and some space around them. Avoid harsh shadows, hats and glasses.