US Visa Photo (DS-160) Maker
Create a compliant photo for US Visa Photo (DS-160 & DV Lottery) (600 × 600 px)
Drop your portrait photo here — Supports JPG, PNG, WEBP. Processed 100% locally in your browser.
600 × 600 px · 10 KB – 240 KB · JPEG @ 300 DPI
Applying somewhere else? Browse all document formats →
Official specification (US Visa Photo)
Sourced from U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs. Last verified against the official portal on 2025-01-14. Verified
| Requirement | Official specification | Handled by this tool |
|---|---|---|
| Digital dimensions | 600 × 600 px (min 600×600 px, max 1200×1200 px) | Locked automatically |
| Physical size | 51 × 51 mm (2″ × 2″) | Print sheet at 100% scale |
| Resolution | 300 DPI | Applied on export |
| File size | 10 KB – 240 KB (JPEG) | JPEG quality auto-targeted |
| Background | Plain white or off-white background with no shadows or texture. | Pre-filled behind the crop |
| Head height | 50% – 69% | On-canvas biometric guide |
| Eye level | 56% – 69% | On-canvas biometric guide |
Exact 1:1 aspect ratio required. Head must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (50% to 69% of height). File size strictly ≤ 240 KB in JPEG format.
Official rules
- Color photo taken within the last 6 months
- Full face in direct camera view with neutral facial expression
- Both eyes open and looking straight at the camera
- Plain white or off-white background
Why applications get rejected
- File size exceeding 240 KB upload limit in DS-160 portal
- Wearing eyeglasses (prohibited since 2016)
- Shadows behind ears or under chin
- Smiling with teeth visible or tilted head
How to make your photo (US Visa Photo)
1. Select your document requirement
Pick your visa or passport destination. Exact pixels, DPI, and max KB limits configure automatically.
2. Align with biometric guides
Upload a well-lit photo taken against a plain wall. Use the pan and zoom sliders to fit your head in the oval.
3. Download compliant photo
Export your digital file or print-ready 4x6" photo card with 100% government acceptance confidence. The export is compressed to 10 KB – 240 KB at exactly 600 × 600 px, ready to upload to U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs.
US Visa Photo — Questions & Answers
A US Visa Photo must be exactly 600 × 600 pixels (51 × 51 mm, or 2" × 2") at 300 DPI. The file must be JPEG and 10 KB – 240 KB. The background must be plain white or off-white background with no shadows or texture. Requirements verified against U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs on 2025-01-14.
The head must occupy 50% to 69% of the total photo height, and the eye line must sit between 56% and 69% up from the bottom edge. Exact 1:1 aspect ratio required. Head must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (50% to 69% of height). File size strictly ≤ 240 KB in JPEG format.
No. Everything is processed locally in your browser using HTML5 Canvas. Your photo never leaves your device.
Over 80% of rejections are due to incorrect head size proportions, background shadows, or exceeding rigid portal KB limits (like the DS-160 240 KB limit). Our built-in constraints eliminate all guesswork.
Yes! The exported JPEG file strictly adheres to the exact pixel width/height, aspect ratio, color profile, and maximum KB file ceilings demanded by official government portals.
Download the 4x6" printable template, save it to your phone or USB drive, and print it as a standard 4x6 inch (10x15 cm) borderless photo at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, or any photo kiosk for pennies.
Where these requirements come from
Every number on this page is transcribed from official government portals rather than third-party summaries. Requirements change — check the source before you submit.
U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs — travel.state.govAudited on 2025-01-14