US Visa Photo Maker
Create a 2x2 inch (600x600) US visa photo to the State Department's specification. Shoot it with your phone or photograph a printed one - faces are detected and cropped automatically on a plain white background, matching DS-160 upload specs.
Your photo is processed entirely in your browser and is never uploaded to any server.
What this tool does for you
Shoot with your phone
Re-shoot an old print
Automatic crop
Plain white background
How to shoot with your phone
- 1Stand in front of a white wall in even light, with no shadows on your face or the background
- 2Ideally have someone else shoot: phone at eye level, straight on, about 1 metre away
- 3Show your whole face and both ears, take off glasses, neutral expression, look at the lens
- 4Use the shot as is - cropping, levelling and the white background are handled here
US visa photo requirements
| Size | 2x2 inches (51x51 mm), square |
|---|---|
| Pixels | 600x600 (official minimum) |
| File | JPEG, 200 KB or less, 300 DPI |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows |
| Head height | Chin to crown is 50%-69% of the photo height (1 to 1-3/8 inches) |
| Eye position | About 59% of the photo height from the bottom edge |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months and current in appearance |
| Expression | Full face towards the camera, neutral expression, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed |
| Attire | Everyday clothing, no uniforms; dark colours stand out against white |
How to print
An online DS-160 only needs the digital file. Immigrant visa and DV interviews require two identical 2x2 inch prints. Photo labs only accept standard paper sizes, so download the 4x6 inch sheet (6 photos) or the 5x7 inch sheet, print it as a normal photo and cut along the light grey lines - the sheets are 300 DPI, so each cell is exactly 2x2 inches.
Why photos get rejected
- •Size and position: too close, too far, or off centre
- •Pose and expression: looking down or up, non-neutral expression, glasses
- •Attire, hats and hair: head covering, scarf or hair covering the face
- •Shadows and lighting: shadows on the face, inaccurate colour
- •Background: not plain and light
- •Resolution and quality: blurry or grainy
- •Children: another person in the photo, cluttered background
- •Face obstruction: object in the mouth, scarf over the chin
FAQ
Can I use a photo taken with my phone?
The official text says snapshots are not accepted, but a sharp phone photo against a white wall with correct framing is common practice - the consulate still has the final say. Do not use beauty filters, and do not use a copy forwarded through a chat app.
Can I photograph an old printed ID photo instead?
Yes. Lay the print flat under even light, shoot it straight on and let it fill most of the frame, avoiding glare and shadows. The tool finds the face inside it and re-crops to a compliant layout. Sharpness depends on the original print and your shot, so check the result for a blur warning.
Why does it say my photo may be over-compressed?
Apps like WhatsApp and WeChat re-compress images when forwarding, and the official tool rejects those outright. Export the original from your photo album or transfer it with AirDrop or a cable.
Can I wear glasses?
No. Glasses are not allowed in US visa photos, apart from rare medical cases where they cannot be removed.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months and reflecting your current appearance. Retake it if your appearance has changed significantly.
Does this tool store my photo?
No. Face detection, cropping and background replacement all run inside your browser. The photo never leaves your device and is never uploaded.
Does replacing the background count as altering the photo?
We only apply technical, geometric and colour corrections - cropping, levelling, white balance and a plain white background. We never smooth skin, slim faces or remove glasses, which is what the rules actually forbid.
How many prints do I need?
An online DS-160 needs only the digital file. Immigrant visa or DV interviews require two identical 2x2 inch prints.
Why is the first load slow?
The first run downloads the face detection and person segmentation models (a few MB), after which your browser caches them. The models are served from this site, not from an overseas CDN.
More US visa tools
DS-160 Chinese Telecode Lookup
Enter a Chinese name and get the four-digit telecodes and passport-style pinyin for surname and given name, ready to paste.
DS-160 Address Translator
Turn a Chinese address into DS-160 fields (Street / City / State / Postal) with the 40-character limit checked and abbreviated automatically.
Forms done - now get an earlier interview date
LuckyBee offers free slot alerts and an expedited US visa appointment service.
This tool follows the photo specification published by the US Department of State. LuckyBee is not affiliated with the US government, and the consulate has the final say on whether a photo is accepted.