Your photo is a vital part of your visa application. Digital images are required for some visa categories, while photos are required for other visa categories. The acceptance of your digital image or photo is at the discretion of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply.
We recommend you use a professional visa photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements.

Your photos or digital images must be:
• In color
• Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm).
• Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
• Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
• Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
• With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
• Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis
o Uniforms should not be worn in your photo, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
o Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadows on your face.
o Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable in your photo.
o If you normally wear glasses (without tinted lenses), a hearing device, or similar articles, they may be worn in your photo.
o Dark glasses or glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable.
o Glare on glasses is not acceptable in your photo. Glare can be avoided with a slight downward tilt of the glasses or by removing the glasses or by turning off the camera flash.

Photos copied or digitally scanned from driver’s licenses or other official documents are not acceptable. In addition, snapshots, magazine photos, low quality vending machine or mobile phone photos, and full-length photographs are not acceptable.
 
Additional Requirements for the Diversity Visa (DV) Program
Diversity Visa Program Entrants
If you are entering the Diversity Visa (DV) Program online, you must upload your digital image as part of your entry. Your digital image must be:
• In JPEG (.jpg) file format
• Equal to or less than 240 kB (kilobytes) in file size
• In a square aspect ratio (height must equal width)
• 600x600 pixels in dimension
Do you want to scan an existing photo? In addition to the digital image requirements, your existing photo must be:
• 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
• Scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter)

Diversity Visa Program Selectees
If you have been selected for the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, you will apply for an immigrant visa using Form DS-230 and you must provide two (2) identical photos at your immigrant visa interview. Your photos must be:
• Printed on photo quality paper
• 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size