🇺🇸 US Department of State Official Photo Acceptance Checklist
Make sure your uploaded portrait satisfies these strict biometric rules before submitting to the DS-160 portal:
US & Canada Biometric Photo Comparison Matrix
Compare the official photo upload guidelines across US Visa, US Passport, Canada PR, and the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery:
| Document Program | Physical Size | Pixel Resolution | File Size Limit | Background Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 US Visa (DS-160 / DS-260) | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 600 × 600 px (Square 1:1) | ≤ 240 KB | Plain White / Off-White |
| 🇺🇸 US Passport Online Renewal | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px | ≤ 240 KB | Plain White / Off-White |
| 🇺🇸 DV Green Card Lottery | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 600 × 600 px | ≤ 240 KB | Plain White / Off-White |
| 🇨🇦 Canada PR / Visa (IRCC) | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2 ¾ in) | 420 × 590 px (Min) | ≤ 4 MB | Pure Plain White |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the exact US Visa (DS-160) photo requirements in pixels and KB?
The US Department of State requires a square 1:1 image between 600 x 600 pixels and 1200 x 1200 pixels. The file size must be strictly 240 KB or less, in JPEG (.jpg) format, with 24-bit sRGB color.
Are eyeglasses allowed in US passport and visa photos?
No. Under US Department of State regulations effective November 1, 2016, eyeglasses are no longer permitted in passport and visa photos, even if worn daily for vision correction, except in rare documented medical circumstances.
Why does the DS-160 portal reject my photo upload?
Common DS-160 photo rejection causes include file size exceeding 240 KB, non-square dimensions, shadows behind the ears or on the face, low resolution below 600x600 px, or wearing glasses.
How is the Canada PR photo different from the US Visa photo?
US Visa photos are strictly square 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm / 600 x 600 px). Canadian PR and visa photos are rectangular 50 x 70 mm (2 x 2 3/4 inches) with face height between 31 mm and 36 mm.