U.S. passport and visa application photo requirements. U.S. passport applicants are required to submit 2 identical photos, and U.S. visa applicants need to submit only one. The photos must meet the following basic requirements or the application will not be processed.
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Photo Requirements Schematic
Photo Requirements Schematic
1. The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months
2. The size of the photo must be 2x2 inches (5x5 centimeters)
3. The vertical dimensions of the applicant's head must be between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (2.5 - 3 inches). The vertical dimension of the applicant's head must be between 1 inch and 1 and 3/8 inches (2.5 - 3.5 centimeters)
4. The photograph must have a white background.
5. Must be facing the camera with both ears exposed.
Each passport or visa applicant's photo must be a recent (last 6 months), borderless, front-facing photo. A "front" photo means that the applicant is facing the camera when the photo is taken. The applicant must not be looking down or squinting, and his or her face must comprise 50% of the photo. Although it is difficult to strictly define "face" due to differences in hairstyles or turbans (see discussion below), in general, it refers to the applicant's head, including the face and hair, from top to bottom, from the top of the head to the chin, and from left to right, to the hairline on both sides. It is preferable if the ears are visible. The key requirement is that the applicant can be clearly identified through the photograph.
The size of the photo is 2x2 inches (a square approximately 50 millimeters on a side), with the head in the center. The head (from the top of the head to the chin) should be between 1 inch and 1 and 3/8 inches (i.e., 25 mm to 35 mm), and the distance from the eyes to the bottom of the photograph should be between 1 and 1/8 inches and 1 and 3/8 inches (i.e., 28 mm to 35 mm). It must be a color or black-and-white photograph with a white background. The photograph shall be borderless. The photograph shall be stapled or affixed to the DS-82 (PDF-303KB) or DS-11 (PDF-380KB) (U.S. Passport Application) form, or the corresponding DS-156 (Nonimmigrant Visa Application) (PDF-159KB) form. If the photo is bound, the staples must be as far away from the applicant's face as possible. Photographs with messy backgrounds, patterns or motifs, or dark colors will not be accepted.
Hijabs or hats are acceptable only if worn for religious reasons, and even then they must not obscure any part of the applicant's face. Sunglasses or other adornments that obscure the face (see Facial Regulations above) will not be accepted unless they are required for medical reasons (e.g., eye wear). Photographs of people wearing traditional face masks or veils that make their faces difficult to recognize will not be accepted. Photographs of military, airline or other personnel wearing hats will not be accepted. Photographs of applicants wearing traditional tribal or national clothing or other headgear that is not explicitly religious in nature will not be accepted.