U.S. visa photo checker

Start with the U.S. visa — DS-160 profile for the digital-photo route described here. The selector also includes a separate China visa option for applicants in the United States. Choose the destination’s profile: the two routes have different requirements, shown separately below.

Match the checker to your application

The Department of State’s visa instructions explain that DS-160 applicants upload a digital image while completing the form. For a focused upload checklist, use the DS-160 photo checker.

If you are applying for a China visa instead, switch profiles and consult the Chinese embassy’s photo instructions. Do not carry the DS-160 file or print rules over to that option.

U.S. visa photo problems to review

A hidden part of the face, an unsuitable expression or eyewear can cause problems. The U.S. visa guidance requires a direct full-face view, a neutral expression and both eyes open. Eyeglasses are generally not allowed; the official page explains the limited medical exception and its documentation.

The photo must also reflect your current appearance. Significant changes can mean a new photo is needed even when the previous picture is recent. That assessment belongs to the official visa instructions, beyond the checks listed for this profile.

Before you retake a U.S. visa photo

Take the photo against a plain white or off-white background, and do not digitally enhance or alter it to change your appearance. Face the camera directly and keep your face clear of hair or accessories that obscure it. Compare your capture with the official visa photo examples, which call attention to shadows and glare as well as face visibility. Take a new capture when those problems remain.

Review the selected profile’s measured and estimated lists below before interpreting a result. Guidance about a possible rejection reason does not mean this tool evaluates that condition.

Our free photo tools process photos in your browser, on your device. The tools do not upload your photos.

The tool’s “likely compliant” outcome is not an official decision. The authority decides whether the photo meets its requirements.

U.S. visa — DS-160

Official source: U.S. Department of State

Last reviewed:

Requirements for this route

Submission
Digital and print
File formats
JPEG
Minimum file size (bytes)
No rule recorded in this profile
Maximum file size (bytes)
240,000
Minimum length of each side (pixels)
600
Maximum length of each side (pixels)
1,200
Square image (width equals height)
Required
Printed photo size
2 × 2 inches
Head height, top of hair to bottom of chin (% of image height)
50–69 %
Eye line from bottom (% of image height)
56–69 %
Background colors
Color is not checked; consult the official source for background color.
Uniform background
Required

Measured checks

Measured checks produce pass or fail findings.

  • File format
  • File size
  • Pixel dimensions
  • Aspect ratio
  • Number of faces
  • Head height
  • Eye-line position
  • Head centering

Estimated visual checks

Estimated checks produce pass or review warnings, rather than failures.

  • Background uniformity
  • Pose
  • Open eyes
  • Eyeglasses

Not checked

  • Head tilt
  • Background color
  • Blur
  • Exposure

Editing rules

  • Cropping: permitted for this route.
  • Background replacement: the official source does not address this edit. This is not permission to make it.
  • Retouching: not allowed.

China visa — applicants in the United States

Official source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the United States of America

Last reviewed:

Requirements for this route

Submission
Digital and print
File formats
JPEG
Minimum file size (bytes)
40,000
Maximum file size (bytes)
120,000
Minimum length of each side (pixels)
No rule recorded in this profile
Maximum length of each side (pixels)
No rule recorded in this profile
Square image (width equals height)
No rule recorded in this profile
Printed photo size
33 × 48 mm
Head height, top of hair to bottom of chin (% of image height)
not checked for this document
Eye line from bottom (% of image height)
not checked for this document
Background colors
Color is not checked; consult the official source for background color.
Uniform background
No rule recorded in this profile

Measured checks

Measured checks produce pass or fail findings.

  • File format
  • File size
  • Number of faces
  • Head centering
  • Head tilt

Estimated visual checks

Estimated checks produce pass or review warnings, rather than failures.

  • Pose
  • Blur
  • Exposure
  • Open eyes
  • Eyeglasses

Not checked

  • Pixel dimensions
  • Aspect ratio
  • Head height
  • Eye-line position
  • Background color
  • Background uniformity

Editing rules

  • Cropping: permitted for this route.
  • Background replacement: the official source does not address this edit. This is not permission to make it.
  • Retouching: the official source does not address this edit. This is not permission to make it.

For this route, the tool offers the “My application accepts edited photos” option. An edited photo may be rejected.