US visa photo for the DS-160
The DS-160 form rejects photos that are the wrong shape or too large a file. Altols produces a square 600 × 600 pixel JPEG kept under the 240 KB limit, plus a 2 × 2 inch print sheet in case your consulate asks for a paper copy.
Head and shoulders, facing the camera, in front of a plain light wall. Your photo stays on your device.
US visa photo requirements
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head size | 1 to 1⅜ in (25 to 35 mm), chin to top of head |
| Eye height | 1⅛ to 1⅜ in (29 to 35 mm) from the bottom |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Digital file | 600 × 600 px JPEG, 240 KB or less |
Source: U.S. Department of State, Digital Image Requirements. Checked October 2026.
Before you take the photo
- Square image, between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels.
- JPEG, sRGB colour, 240 KB or smaller.
- Full face, looking at the camera, neutral expression.
- No glasses, and no retouching or filters.
- Taken within the last 6 months.
How it works
- Choose a photo. It stays on your device.
- Altols finds your face and crops to 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) with the head at the right size. Adjust it if you like.
- Review the automatic checks and the watermarked preview.
- Pay $4.99 USD once and download the digital file and the 6 × 4 inch print sheet.
Frequently asked questions
Why does the DS-160 keep rejecting my photo?
The most common reasons are a file larger than 240 KB, an image that is not square, or a head that is too small in the frame. Altols fixes the first two automatically and shows you if the head size is outside the allowed range.
Is the visa photo the same as the passport photo?
The size and head rules are the same 2 × 2 inch format. The difference is the digital file: the DS-160 needs a small JPEG of 240 KB or less, while passport renewal accepts larger files.
Do I need a printed photo for the interview?
Many consulates do not, because they take your photo or use the uploaded one, but some do. The 4 × 6 print sheet covers you either way.