United States visa photo requirements for Indians
Indian passport holders applying for B1/B2 visitor visa (DS-160 online form + consular interview) need a photo that meets United States's rules. Below are the exact size, background and file rules from the official source, with a worked example and a checklist.
VERIFIED · OFFICIAL SOURCE · 17 OCT 2026
United States photo rules at a glance
What the photo should look like
Drawn to the official measurements where they are published.
Head: 22–35 mm (1 to 1 3/8 in) chin to top of head, i.e. 50–69% of image height.
Full United States visa photo requirements
| Route for Indians | B1/B2 visitor visa (DS-160 online form + consular interview) |
|---|---|
| Printed photo size (mm) | 51 x 51 (2 x 2 in), only if a printed photo is requested |
| Digital size (pixels) | Square; min 600 x 600, max 1200 x 1200 |
| File format | JPEG, 24-bit colour, sRGB |
| File size | 240 kB or less (compression ratio not over 20:1) |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Head / face size | 22–35 mm (1 to 1 3/8 in) chin to top of head, i.e. 50–69% of image height |
| How recent | Taken within the last 6 months; must show current appearance |
| Glasses | Not allowed, except rarely for medical reasons with a signed medical statement (frames must not cover the eyes, no glare or shadows) |
| Head covering | Not allowed unless worn daily for religion; full face visible, no shadows on face |
| Expression and pose | Full face to the camera, neutral expression, both eyes open |
| Copies | Not stated by the official source |
Other official rules
- Colour photo; no digital enhancement or alteration
- No uniforms (daily religious clothing allowed); no headphones or wireless devices
- No photos scanned from licences or other documents; no snapshots or low-quality phone photos
- A new photo is needed after major facial change (surgery, large tattoos or piercings, large weight change)
Do and avoid
Built from the official rules and the rejection reasons the source lists.
Do
- Use a plain white or off-white background
- Full face to the camera, neutral expression, both eyes open
- Use a photo taken within the last 6 months; must show current appearance
- Colour photo; no digital enhancement or alteration
- No uniforms (daily religious clothing allowed); no headphones or wireless devices
- No photos scanned from licences or other documents; no snapshots or low-quality phone photos
Avoid
- Wearing glasses without a medical statement
- Head size out of range or not facing the camera
- Photo older than 6 months, or altered or low-quality image
- Not allowed, except rarely for medical reasons with a signed medical statement (frames must not cover the eyes, no glare or shadows)
Worked example: getting the photo right first time
A 51 × 51 mm print at 300 DPI is 602 × 602 pixels. At 600 DPI it is 1204 × 1204 pixels. Ask the studio for exactly 51 × 51 mm, not "passport size".
For the upload, export the image at Square; min 600 x 600, max 1200 x 1200 pixels as JPEG, 24-bit colour, sRGB, keeping the file 240 kB or less (compression ratio not over 20:1).
How to make your photo in 5 steps
- Stand against a plain wall with even light, or visit a photo studio
- Crop to 51 × 51 mm
- Check the background is plain white or off-white
- Export as JPEG (240 kB or less (compression ratio not over 20:1))
- Run the Krosz photo checker before you submit
Free tools: passport photo maker · photo checker · photo resizer
Frequently asked questions
What is the United States visa photo size for Indians?
The official source gives 51 x 51 (2 x 2 in), only if a printed photo is requested mm for a printed photo and Square; min 600 x 600, max 1200 x 1200 pixels for the digital upload.
What background colour is needed for a United States visa photo?
Plain white or off-white.
Can I use my Indian passport photo (35 × 45 mm) for United States?
Not as it is. United States asks for 51 × 51 mm, which is different from the 35 × 45 mm Indian passport size, so get a print made at the United States size.
How old can the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months; must show current appearance.
Can I wear glasses in my United States visa photo?
Not allowed, except rarely for medical reasons with a signed medical statement (frames must not cover the eyes, no glare or shadows)
What file format and size does the upload accept?
Format: JPEG, 24-bit colour, sRGB. Size: 240 kB or less (compression ratio not over 20:1).
Where do these rules come from?
From U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: Photo Requirements and Digital Image Requirements, checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026. Requirements can change, so the official page always has the final word.
Source and verification
Official source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs: Photo Requirements and Digital Image Requirements
Also checked: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/digital-image-requirements.html
Checked by the Krosz visa desk on 17 Oct 2026 · confidence: high.
Krosz is a private visa service and is not affiliated with any government. Rules change; the authority's own page always has the final word.
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