This photo must meet specific requirements in order to be accepted. To get any official document (passport, ID, different kinds of licenses or cards) you must provide an application and a picture.
Read below to find out how to take your photo wherever and whenever you like, saving you time and money, it really is that easy! Passport and ID photo tool But does this really mean that we need to spend hours looking for a photography studio that won’t charge an arm and a leg for a photo, as well as all of the time spent getting ready and traveling there? Absolutely not! This means that there are a few times in our life where we need to dedicate our time, energy, and money into getting a good photo that looks professional. To be honest, we cannot even have a driver’s license, school diploma or ID without a photograph.
We will not be able to do this without professional photographs.
For example, we need to get a passport, and sometimes a visa, if we want to explore the world. Many of these plans require special preparation. We want to complete our studies, get a driver’s license, travel around the world, get to know other cultures and meet wonderful people.
The Department of State also has a photo FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) here.Our everyday life is full of challenges, plans and dreams. Sit so that your face is fully-lit and there are no distracting shadows across your face or in the background.īe sure to have a natural expression on your face when you take your photo, like those shown here:įor more information about visa application photo specifications, visit the Department of State's website. Sit in front of a plain white or off-white background for best results. The area behind you in the photo should be uncluttered and either white or off-white. Your eyes should be 2/3 of the way up the photo, or between 1-1/8 inches to 1-3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) - about 60% - from the bottom of the photo. In a good photo, the height of your head will measure 1-1-3/8 inches (25 to 35mm), or fill between 50%-70% of the photo, like this: Your photo must show your entire head, from the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin. Face directly toward the camera and make sure your eyes are open. Frame yourself within the photo so that your full face shows. It is important when taking your visa photo. The maximum dimensions are 1200 pixels x 1200 pixels (height x width). The minimum dimensions for your photo are 600 pixels x 600 pixels (height x width). Your photo must be 5cm x 5cm and square-shaped, meaning the photo's height must be the same as its width. Your eye height, measured from the bottom of the photo to the level of your eyes, should be between 55% and 70% - or roughly 2/3 - of the photo's height. Your head height, measured from the top of your head, including the hair, to the bottom of your chin, must be between 50% and 70% of the photo's total height. If your photo does not meet the requirements, you will be required to submit a new photo before your visa is processed, even if the visa application system accepted it as a digital photo upload.ĭigital photos uploaded with your DS-160 must meet the guidelines shown in the image below: If you are renewing a previous visa, this generally means your photo must not be the same one that appeared on your old visa. To reflect your current appearance, your photo must be taken within the last six months. Submitting photos that do not meet these criteria can delay the visa application process. Your visa application photo must meet certain criteria regarding size and content.