US visa and passport photo requirements are set by the US Department of State and must be followed exactly. Photos that don't meet the specifications will result in your application being rejected or delayed. The good news is that with the right crop tool, you can prepare a compliant photo from any clear front-facing image without visiting a photo studio.
US Visa Photo Requirements
The US State Department requires a photo that is 2×2 inches (51×51mm) — a perfect square. At 300 DPI for print, that's 600×600 pixels. The head must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35mm) from chin to top of head, meaning the head should fill about 50–70% of the frame.
| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
| Head height | 1 – 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Expression | Neutral, both eyes open |
| Taken within | 6 months |
How to Crop a Photo for US Visa
- Take a clear, front-facing photo against a white or off-white background in good lighting.
- Open the Image Cropper at imgresizr.com.
- Select a 1:1 (Square) aspect ratio.
- Centre the crop box on the face, with the head filling 50–70% of the frame height.
- Download the square crop, then resize to 600×600px (2 inches at 300 DPI) for printing.
Common Reasons US Visa Photos Are Rejected
Incorrect Head Position
The head must face directly forward — no tilting, turning, or looking to the side. Both ears should be visible (unless a religious head covering is worn). The eyes must look directly into the camera lens, not at the screen.
Coloured or Patterned Background
Any shadow or colour behind the subject will result in rejection. Use a bright, evenly lit white wall or a professional white backdrop. Natural light from a window can help eliminate shadows on the background.
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