Wrong photo = invalid entry. The State Department's automated system rejects ~5% of submissions outright; many more pass initial review but fail at the consular interview. Get this exactly right.
Technical specifications
- Format: JPEG (.jpg)
- Dimensions: 600×600 pixels minimum, square aspect ratio (1:1)
- File size: Maximum 240 KB
- Color depth: 24-bit color
- Compression: Standard JPEG; no enhancement filters
Composition rules
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Plain white or off-white background — no patterns, textures, or shadows
- Full face, looking directly at camera
- Eyes open and clearly visible
- Neutral expression — no smiling broadly, no frowning
- Head must measure 1 inch to 1⅜ inch (50% to 69% of image height) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Eyes between 1⅛ and 1⅜ inches from bottom of photo (56-69% of image height)
What disqualifies a photo
- Glasses (any type — even prescription)
- Hats or head coverings, except for medical/religious purposes (must show full face)
- Uniforms, including military
- Headphones, wireless devices visible
- Heavy makeup that obscures features
- Filters, beauty modes, or digital alterations
- Multiple people, pets, or background objects
- Selfies taken too close (lens distortion)
- Shadows on face or background
- Red-eye or other eye anomalies
Each family member needs their own photo
Spouse and every unmarried child under 21 must have a separate photo meeting all the above requirements. Photos taken on the same day, same lighting are fine — but they must be individual, not group photos cropped.
Tools to verify your photo
The State Department's official photo tool (travel.state.gov/photos) checks dimensions and basic specs but does not catch all issues. Better practice: have a passport photo professional take it and digitally crop to specifications.