A US visa photo must be in colour, taken within the last six months, in front of a plain white or off-white background, with your head measuring between 22 mm and 35 mm (1 inch to 1 3/8 inches) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, or 50% to 69% of the image’s height. Printed photos are 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The rules are set by the US Department of State on its official photo requirements page.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
The Department of State says your photo or digital image must be:
- In colour
- Sized so that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm), or 50% and 69% of the image’s total height, from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
- Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
- Taken in full-face view, directly facing the camera
- With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
- Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis
Photos copied or digitally scanned from a driver’s licence or other official document are not acceptable. Neither are snapshots, magazine photos, low-quality vending machine or mobile phone photos, or full-length photographs. Whether your photo is accepted is at the discretion of the US embassy or consulate where you apply.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
The rules on what you may wear in the photo are:
- Eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos, except in rare circumstances when they cannot be removed for medical reasons, for example after recent eye surgery. A statement signed by a medical professional is then required, the frames must not cover the eyes, and there must be no glare, shadows or refraction that obscures the eyes.
- Hats and head coverings must not obscure the hair or hairline unless worn daily for a religious purpose. Your full face must be visible and the covering must not cast shadows on your face.
- Uniforms should not be worn, except religious clothing that is worn daily.
- Headphones, wireless hands-free devices and similar items are not acceptable.
- A hearing device or similar article that you normally wear may be worn.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
How you supply the photo depends on the visa:
- Nonimmigrant visas (form DS-160 or DS-1648): you upload a digital image as part of the online application form. Some embassies and consulates also require you to bring one printed photo to the interview, so check the instructions for the post where you apply.
- Immigrant visas (form DS-260): two identical photos at the interview, printed on photo-quality paper, 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
- Diversity Visa entries: a digital image in JPEG format, 240 kB or smaller, square, and 600 x 600 pixels. A scanned photo must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) and scanned at 300 pixels per inch.
- Diversity Visa selectees: two identical photos at the interview, on photo-quality paper, 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).
For the other documents, see our US visa requirements guide.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
The B visitor visa (business, tourism and medical treatment) application fee is $185 USD. It is non-refundable and non-transferable. Check the official fee page for South Africa, because fees can change and some applicants pay additional fees.
If your appearance has changed significantly since the photo was taken, the embassy or consulate will ask for a new one even if the photo is less than six months old. The Department of State gives significant facial surgery or trauma, numerous or large facial piercings or tattoos added or removed, and significant weight loss or gain as examples. Growing a beard or colouring your hair is generally not a significant change.
How to Prepare or Apply
- Use a professional visa photo service if you can. The Department of State recommends this.
- If you take the photo yourself, do not digitally enhance or alter it to change your appearance.
- Remove your glasses, face the camera with a neutral expression and both eyes open, and stand in front of a plain white or off-white background.
- The Department of State’s free photo tool can crop a digital image to a square of exactly 600 x 600 pixels. It only crops the image and does not check its quality.
- Complete the DS-160 and upload the photo, then pay the fee and book your interview on the official South Africa appointment service.
For a baby or toddler, no other person should be in the photo and the child should be looking at the camera with eyes open. The Department of State suggests laying the baby on a plain white or off-white sheet, or covering a car seat with one, so that the head is supported and the background is plain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear glasses in a US visa photo?
No, except in rare cases where they cannot be removed for medical reasons. Then you need a statement signed by a medical professional or health practitioner.
What size is a US visa photo?
A printed photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The head must measure 22 mm to 35 mm (1 inch to 1 3/8 inches) from chin to top of head, which is 50% to 69% of the image height.
What is the US visa photo format for a digital upload?
A square colour image. For a Diversity Visa entry the Department of State specifies JPEG format, 600 x 600 pixels and no more than 240 kB. For a DS-160, follow its digital image requirements, which are linked from the photo requirements page.
What background colour must a US visa photo have?
Plain white or off-white.
How recent must the photo be?
Taken within the last 6 months, and it must reflect your current appearance.
Why was my photo rejected?
It did not meet the specification. Check it against the rules above: glasses, a head covering that hides the hairline or casts shadows, a head size outside the 50% to 69% range, and a photo scanned from another document are all not accepted.
These rules were taken from the US Department of State’s photo requirements page on 11 October 2026. See the visa requirements hub and browse all travel and immigration requirements.