Embassy of the United States

Immigrant Visas

Photograph Requirements

All applicants for U.S. visas (these requirements apply to nonimmigrant visa applications, immigrant visa applications and entries in the Diversity Visa "green card" lottery) must submit photographs that meet the following requirements.

The photograph must be an unmounted, full-face photo, taken within the past six months. A "full face" photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. The applicant should not be looking down or to either side, and the face should cover about 50 percent of the area of the photo. The head of the applicant, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom, and from hairline side-to-side. It is preferable that the ears be exposed. The key requirement is that the photograph clearly identifies the applicant.

The photograph should measure 2 inches square (roughly 51 mm square) with the head centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm), with the eye level 1 1/8 inch to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm to 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. Photos may be either in color or black and white and must be taken against a white or off-white background. Photos taken in front of busy, patterned, or dark backgrounds will not be accepted. For nonimmigrant visa applicants, one photo should be stapled to the DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application. The staples should be placed as far away as possible from the applicant's face.

• Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not obscure any portion of the face of the applicant.
• Sunglasses or other paraphernalia that detract from the face are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).
• A photograph depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.
• Photos of military, airline or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable.
• Photographs of applicants wearing tribal, national costume or other headgear not specifically religious in nature are not acceptable.
• Since a separate travel document is issued to each qualified applicant, an individual photo is required of each person. Group photos are not acceptable.