The State Department's digital visa photo must be a square JPEG between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, no larger than 240 KB, with your head filling 50–69% of the image height. Frame your photo with the guide, and the tool picks the largest size that fits under 240 KB.
How to use the US Visa Photo tool
- Take a photo facing the camera in front of a plain white or off-white wall, with even lighting and a neutral expression.
- Choose or drop the photo, then drag the square and its corners so your face fits the oval guide: the top of your head near the upper line and your chin near the lower line.
- Click the button to create your photos, and download them.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my visa photo smaller than 1200 × 1200?
The tool starts at the highest allowed resolution and steps down only if needed to stay under 240 KB. A busy background or a very detailed photo needs more space, so a plain white background helps you keep a higher resolution.
My photo is too small. What can I do?
The square must be at least 600 × 600 pixels of your original photo. Use a photo from a phone or camera taken closer to you, not a screenshot or a photo of a printed photo.
Is my photo uploaded?
No. Your photo is cropped and resized inside your browser and never leaves your device.
Does this tool edit or retouch my face?
No. The State Department doesn't allow photos changed with software, filters or AI, so this tool only crops, resizes and compresses. It doesn't smooth skin, change colors or replace the background.
Can the tool remove my background?
No, and it's best to get it right in the camera: stand in front of a plain white or off-white wall. The tool warns you if the edges of your photo don't look plain and light.
Will my photo definitely be accepted?
We can't guarantee that. Acceptance depends on things only you control, such as lighting, focus, expression and the background. Check the official requirements on travel.state.gov before you apply.
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