US Visa Photo Requirements – All You Need to Know

Table of Contents

Acknowledging the US visa photo requirements is the first step to ensure a valid application. Your photo must adhere to strict standards regarding sizes, outfits, and facial expressions.

Read on to learn about these requirements and prepare an appropriate US visa photo.

How many photos are required for US visa?

Portrait photos are among the required documents to apply for a US visa. They serve as your identity verification and are archived in the US embassy and government data system.

The number of photos required depends on the type of US visa you’re applying for:

  1. ✅ Number of photos required: For non-permanent US visas, applicants must submit 2 photos.
  2. ✅ Taken time: The photos must be taken within the past 6 months.

US visa photo requirements

Photos taken for US visa application must adhere to the US embassy’s requirements.

1. What is the size of US visa photo?

A typical US visa photo must be 5x5cm (or 2×2 inches) and square-shaped. It must show the applicant facing straight ahead, with head centered in the frame and ears exposed.

2. What to wear when taking photos for US visa?

Clothing plays a key role in deciding your photo’s level of formality. To meet the US visa photo requirements, it is best to wear dark-colored collared shirts with no patterns. Plain dark-colored shirts would highlight your face in the photo for easier identification. 

3. What are the background requirements for US visa photo?

US visa photos must be on a plain white background. A plain white background ensures no distractions would hinder the photo verification system’s operations.

US Visa Photo Requirements - Thao & Co.

4. How to present myself when taking a US visa photo?

Appropriate hairstyles and facial expressions are also among the US visa photo requirements. When taking photos, it is important to keep your facial expression neutral, showing no teeth, and facing straight at the camera. 

Make sure your hair doesn’t cover your ears and other features. If you have long hair, it is best to tie your hair back or use hair clips to keep it intact so that your face won’t be obscure.

5. Other US visa photo requirements

Besides, there are other requirements for US visa application:

  1. Do not use digitally manipulated photos that significantly differ from your appearance.
  2. Do not wear glasses when taking photos, as they may obscure your eyes.
  3. ● Accessories, such as hats, scarves, or large jewelry, are not allowed, as they may hide facial features.
    US Visa Photo Requirements - Thao & Co.

Where to get my US visa photo taken?

Professional photo studios are the right place to ensure your photos meet the US visa photo requirements. Studios specializing in visa photos or visa application service providers thoroughly understand the photo requirements for US visas.

They also offer photo printing in standard sizing and light editing to ensure your photos are of the best quality.

If you have a digital camera, you can also take your US visa photo at home. Just make sure your photos are taken and printed in accordance with the US visa photo requirements.

Read more: What happens if I don’t use my US visa?

Important notes when applying for a US visa

When preparing for your US visa application, remember to:

  1.  ✅ Gather all the required documents: Including your passport, the DS-160 form, interview appointment letter. Make sure they are all up-to-date and meet the requirements.
  2. Arrange your dossier: Put your photos on top, followed by the appointment letter, the DS-160 form, your ID documents, proofs of financial capabilities, and other documents.

Learn more about financial requirements for US tourist visa.

  1.  ✅ Have your US visa documents translated: Non-English documents in your application must be translated for verification.

If you are looking for US visa translation services, look no further than Thao & Co.! Accurate translation boosts your application’s credibility and increases your chances of getting visa approval.

    General Translation - Thao & Co.

Takeaways

Meeting the US visa photo requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth application process. We hope this article has provided you with helpful tips for preparing your documents.

Source: Thao & Company
Professional Translation and Localization Services in Vietnam
Where Precision Meets Quality Standards
Get in touch
Let us know how we can help!
Our industries
Healthcare
We provide accurate translations of items such as clinical instructions, medical records, articles, product labels and questionnaires.
Advertising + Marketing
Get your message across in any language when we translate your informational materials, instructions and simple promotional content.
Banking + Finance
As you tap new markets, we can translate sales materials, emails, job applications, CVs, legal documents, and entire banking/trading platforms and apps.
Legal
Get fast, precise translation of legal documents, contracts, memos, emails and other forms of communication.
Real Estate + Construction
Our translators have sufficient familiarity with architecture, construction, real estate and civil engineering to help translate relevant documents.
Retail + E-commerce
If you’re selling to global markets, let us translate your sales materials, company announcements and meeting minutes for your international partners.
Travel + Tourism
We can provide general translation of content for internal communications and customer-facing text for hotels, restaurants, travel guides and more.
Entertainment
Relying on our experience translating films, plays and commercials, we give careful attention to word selection and meaning in every project.
Automotive + Aerospace
Look to our specialized linguists to translate and localize user guides, CAD drawings, repair manuals and business contracts.
Manufacturing
Get precise translation of technical terminology whether for instructions, safety, quality control or regulatory compliance.
Manufacturing
Explore new markets for your games once we translate the rules, instructions, storyline, dialog, graphics and technical details.
Education
Empower global education with our translation and localization services. Available for academic transcripts, diplomas, degrees, certificates, websites, apps, and more.
Technology
Our expert localization services are here to get your tech materials, websites, apps, software and other digital products into new markets.
Ready to take the next step? Tell us about your project.

Get a quote