US visa photo requirements
Immigration consultancies and studios process hundreds of US visa photos monthly. Passprint delivers square 2×2 inch crops with consistent head framing, plain white or off-white backgrounds, and dual export paths — a digital JPEG for the DS-160 form and print copies for interview day.
US visa applications reject photos for head-size drift, shadows on backgrounds, glasses glare, or files that fail digital dimension and size checks. Passprint encodes the us_2x2 preset so your team ships repeatable 2×2 inch crops instead of re-shooting applicants the morning of their appointment. Passprint automates the entire workflow from upload to print-ready sheet in just a few clicks.
Export a digital 2×2 file sized for online visa forms plus a 300 DPI print sheet for applicants who need physical copies at their interview.
When every photo uses the same chin-to-crown band and plain backdrop, applicants avoid appointment delays caused by non-compliant pictures.
Process multiple clients in one session and export separate files per applicant without restarting Photoshop for each person.
US visa photographs share the same outer square size as US passport photos — 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) — but the DS-160 digital upload adds file-dimension and file-size checks that print-only workflows often miss. Review the diagram, then compare visa vs passport vs Schengen before you crop.
| Spec | US visa (DS-160) | US passport | Schengen visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outer size | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | 35×45 mm |
| Shape | Square | Square | Portrait 7:9 rectangle |
| Head / face height | 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) | 1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm) | ~70–80% of height (ICAO) |
| Background | White or off-white | White or off-white | Light grey or white |
| Typical delivery | Digital upload + optional prints | Print (or digital when asked) | Print and/or digital by embassy |
| 300 DPI pixels (approx.) | 600×600 px | 600×600 px | 413×531 px |
The online DS-160 form expects a square digital photo that meets dimension and file-size checks published by the Department of State. Many applicants also need physical 2×2 prints for the consular interview. Passprint exports both from one us_2x2 job — do not stretch a 35×45 crop into a square.
Chin to top of hair (crown) should measure 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) inside the 2×2 frame, with the face centred and eyes in the upper half. The us_2x2 preset targets this band so staff are not guessing with rulers on screen.
Use a plain white or off-white backdrop with no patterns, shadows, or other people. Busy walls and window light behind the head are classic DS-160 and consular fails. The white background guide covers cleanup before you lock the square crop.
Clear prescription glasses may be acceptable if there is no glare and both eyes are fully visible. Tinted or dark lenses are not. When glare appears on the lenses, remove the glasses and reshoot rather than trying to clone reflections.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, and a recent likeness that still matches the applicant. Smiles, filters, and outdated portraits are common rejection causes on both digital upload and interview review.
Typical rejects include head height outside 1–1⅜ in, shadows on face or background, non-white backdrops, glasses glare, hats (except religious coverings that leave the face visible), cropped ears or crown, low resolution, and digital files that fail DS-160 pixel or byte limits.
At 300 DPI, 2×2 inches is about 600×600 pixels — a practical studio target for sharp prints and a solid base for digital resize when the form asks for a specific pixel range. Soft phone crops below that resolution often look pixelated when enlarged.
Free accounts receive 3 credits every 72 hours. One credit runs AI processing (background removal, face detection, us_2x2 crop, and head-size framing). Layout editing and rearranging copies on a print sheet do not spend credits. See pricing below for Pro credit pools.
Outer size and head-height rules match the US passport square. The difference is delivery: visa applicants often need a DS-160-ready digital file first, then interview prints. Use this visa page for the dual-export path; see the US passport guide when the client only needs passport prints.
Children use the same 2×2 size and head-height band. Keep supporting hands out of frame on a plain light surface. Capture when eyes are open — outdated newborn photos fail when the child no longer matches at the interview.
Open the US visa 2×2 preset, process a portrait for DS-160, and arrange interview prints. Layout editing stays free.
Start FreeHow it works
Digital 2×2 JPEG for the DS-160 form plus optional print copies — one upload, two export paths for immigration consultancies.
Accept phone or studio photos — Passprint handles exposure and orientation for visa processing.
Square crop to 51×51 mm with chin-to-crown head height in the 1–1⅜ inch State Department band.
Download a digital JPEG within common file-size limits for online visa form upload.
Lay out physical 2×2 copies on A4 or Letter for applicants who need prints at their appointment.
Passport Size Photos
A4 · 210 × 297 mm · 2 × 2 in
Accept phone or studio photos — Passprint handles exposure and orientation for visa processing.
Square crop to 51×51 mm with chin-to-crown head height in the 1–1⅜ inch State Department band.
Download a digital JPEG within common file-size limits for online visa form upload.
Lay out physical 2×2 copies on A4 or Letter for applicants who need prints at their appointment.
Passport Size Photos
A4 · 210 × 297 mm · 2 × 2 in
For users in the United States: The U.S. Department of State prohibits digital alterations of ID photographs. Our platform provides sizing and cropping services only and does not modify or enhance images.
Square digital files and print copies sized for US visa forms and consular appointments.
2×2 inch digital JPEG sized for online visa forms plus print layouts for interviews.
Process multiple applicants in one session with separate exports per client.
Consistent head-height rules help avoid consular delays from non-compliant photos.
Remove cluttered backgrounds and export plain white or off-white tones.
One upload — digital file for DS-160 and print sheet for applicants who need physical copies.
Reopen visa photo jobs when applicants need a reprint before their appointment.
US visa photos are 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with a plain white or off-white background. The head must measure 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of hair per Department of State visa guidance. Digital DS-160 uploads also check pixel dimensions and file size.
Official references
Passprint uses AI-assisted processing for background replacement, face framing, and sizing. Final acceptance is decided by the issuing authority — always verify against the official references on this page and inspect your printed sheet before submission.
Last reviewed: July 31, 2026
Pricing
Editing and layout stay on your plan. Credits cover AI: one credit per successful passport process or background cutout.
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| Features | Free ₹0 forever | Popular Pro ₹149 / month | Pro+ ₹379 / month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credits & sessions | |||
| Credits | 3 every 72 hours | 100 every 30 days | 300 every 30 days |
| Clients per session | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| AI processing | |||
| AI background removal | Included | Included | Included |
| Background remover — transparent PNG cutouts | Included | Included | Included |
| Automatic face alignment | Included | Included | Included |
| ICAO-compliant passport framing | Included | Included | Included |
| Passport photo validation | Included | Included | Included |
| Standard passport & visa photo sizes | Included | Included | Included |
| Print-ready passport photos | Included | Included | Included |
| Multi-client processing & batch creation | Not included | Included | Included |
| Adjust photo & advanced editing | Not included | Included | Included |
| Advanced compliance & quality validation | Not included | Included | Included |
| Layout & export | |||
| Basic passport layout creation | Included | Included | Included |
| Directional copy placement on layout | Included | Included | Included |
| Copy presets | 3 copies | 3, 6, 8, 12, 16 | 3, 6, 8, 12, 16 |
| Page sizes | A4 | All sizes & custom | All sizes & custom |
| PNG, JPG & PDF download | Included | Included | Included |
| Print from layout | Not included | Included | Included |
| Full layout editor & background tools | Not included | Included | Included |
| Smart auto-align & advanced layout tools | Not included | Included | Included |
| Add clients in editor | Not included | Included | Included |
| Phone QR import in layout editor | Not included | Included | Included |
| History & reprints | |||
| Job history | 1 hour | 3 days | 7 days |
| Reprint from history | Not included | Included | Included |
| Support & billing | |||
| Support | Standard | Priority email | Priority email & chat |
| Billing & invoice management | Not included | Included | Included |
| Early access to new studio features | Not included | Not included | Included |
Prices follow the billing toggle above. 1 credit = 1 AI process (passport photo or cutout).
Digital 2×2 export plus print copies for consular appointments.
