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Follows State Department and ICAO photo rules

US Passport, Visa & Green Card Photos: Make a Compliant Photo Online

Upload one photo. We crop it to 2×2 inches, fix the background and check it against the official rules, so your application doesn't get delayed over a photo.

4.9 from 17,000+ applicantsReady in 10 secondsPrivate and secure
Sample US passport photo showing the 2×2 inch size and correct head position

Make your US photo in 3 steps

Go from a regular photo to a submission-ready file without software or a studio visit.

  1. Choose your document

    Pick a US visa (DS-160 or DS-260), passport, green card or DV lottery photo. We load the official size for you.

  2. Upload your photo

    Add any clear photo of your face. We center your head, fix the background and crop it to 2×2 inches (600×600 px).

  3. Download and submit

    Get your digital photo and a 6×4″ print sheet in about 10 seconds. Submit online or print at home.

Find the right photo for your document

Each document has its own rules. Read the guide, then make your photo.

US visa photo (DS-160 / DS-260)

For DS-160 uploads, embassy interviews and all US nonimmigrant and immigrant visas.

DV lottery photo

For Diversity Visa Green Card Lottery entries requiring exact 600×600 px digital format.

Green card & USCIS photo

For Form I-485, citizenship N-400 and official USCIS biometric appointments.

Tools that get your photo accepted

Crop, check and print from any device, for a new application or a renewal.

Automatic cropping

The tool finds your face and eye line, then trims the photo to the exact head size and position.

Biometric checks

Every photo is tested for head height, background, lighting and framing. You see why it passes or fails.

Print-ready sheet

Print at home or take the 6×4″ sheet to any pharmacy or photo kiosk.

50+ countries

Create Schengen, UK, Canada, India, Australia and other official formats with the same tool.

Renewals included

Renewing a passport or visa? Make a fresh photo that meets the same rules as a first application.

No watermark, no subscription

Pay once, download instantly and keep the high-resolution file.

US photo rules at a glance

These specifications come from the State Department and apply to passports and visas.

Size
Square, 2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
Digital file
600×600 to 1200×1200 px, in color, JPEG
Head height
1 to 1 3/8 inches (50% to 69% of the image)
Background
Plain white or off-white, with no shadows
Expression
Neutral or a natural smile, both eyes open
Recency
Taken within the last 6 months

No glasses

Remove your glasses, even if you wear them every day. Only a signed medical statement allows an exception.

Babies and children

Lay an infant on a plain white sheet and photograph from above. No hands, toys or pacifiers may appear. Closed eyes are acceptable for infants.

Read the official State Department photo guidelines(opens in new window).

Why photos get rejected, and how to avoid it

  • Head too small or off-center

    Let the cropping tool set head size and position. Keep your full head, neck and shoulders in the frame.

  • Shadows or an uneven background

    Stand a step away from the wall and face a window. The tool then cleans up the background.

  • Glasses, glare or heavy filters

    Remove your glasses and turn off beauty filters. Only unedited photos pass.

  • An old photo

    Use a photo from the last 6 months that looks like you today.

Test and create your photo before you apply.

Photo size quick reference

Compare the size and file rules for each document.

US photo size by document type
DocumentPrint sizeDigital fileGuide
US passport2×2 in (51×51 mm)600–1200 px, JPEGCreate Photo →
US visa (DS-160)2×2 in (51×51 mm)600–1200 px, JPEG, under 240 KBCreate Photo →
DV lottery2×2 in (51×51 mm)600×600 px, JPEG, under 240 KBCreate Photo →
Green card2×2 in (51×51 mm)50%–69% head heightCreate Photo →

Online tool, pharmacy or studio: which should you choose?

USVisaPhotoAI

  • Ready in about 10 seconds
  • Checks your photo before you pay for prints
  • $9.99 one-time

Pharmacy or kiosk

  • Walk-in, same-day prints
  • Staff take the photo
  • You may need a digital copy for DS-160

Photo studio

  • Professional lighting
  • Higher price and travel time
  • Digital file often costs extra

Ready to get your verified photo? Create your photo in 10 seconds →

One price for your complete photo

Pay once. No subscription and no watermark.

Complete photo package

$9.99per photo

  • Official size for the US and 50+ countries
  • Automatic crop, resize and background fix
  • High-resolution digital photo (600×600 px)
  • 6×4″ (10×15 cm) print sheet
  • Instant download, no registration
Create my photo

Photo rules you can verify

We built USVisaPhotoAI with applicants and immigration document specialists, and we keep every profile current.

Tested on real applications

We tuned head size, spacing and background checks against thousands of DS-160, passport and international submissions.

Built from official rules

Every country profile follows the issuing authority's published specifications. We update it when the rules change.

Clear pass or fail results

Automated biometric checks run before you download, so you never have to guess.

Private by design

We process your photo for your session only. We never sell it, share it or use it to train other tools.

Frequently asked questions

Are passport, visa and green card photos the same?

Almost. US passports, visas and green cards all use a square 2×2 inch photo with a plain white background. Digital uploads such as DS-160 and the DV lottery add file rules, like JPEG format and a 240 KB limit. Choose your document and the tool applies the right settings.

What size is a US visa or passport photo?

The photo is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). A digital file measures between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels. Your head, from chin to crown, fills 1 to 1 3/8 inches, which is 50% to 69% of the image height.

Can I use a phone selfie?

Yes, if someone else holds the camera at eye level or you use a stable stand. Face a window, keep your full head and shoulders in view, and stand in front of a plain wall. The tool handles the crop and background.

Can I use the tool for a passport renewal?

Yes. You need a new photo for every renewal, even if you look the same. The tool makes one that meets the same rules as a first application.

Is the photo tool free?

The package costs $9.99 per photo, paid once. It includes the digital file and a 6×4″ print sheet, with no watermark or subscription.

What happens if my photo is rejected?

The State Department or your application portal asks you to submit a new photo, which can delay your application. Our checks catch the common problems before you submit.

Which file formats can I upload?

Upload JPEG, PNG or WebP files up to 20 MB, including full-resolution photos from a smartphone.