How to use it
- Take a photo facing the camera, in even light, in front of a plain light wall, with your shoulders in the frame.
- Drop in the photo: the tool finds your face and crops it to the official size.
- Check the guides and the checklist, and adjust with the sliders if needed.
- Download the digital photo or, where the rules allow it, a print sheet as PDF or JPG (4×6, 5×7, Letter or A4).
Digital visa photo requirements
According to the U.S. Department of State, the digital visa photo must be:
- a square JPEG, at least 600 × 600 and at most 1200 × 1200 pixels;
- 240 kB or smaller;
- in colour (sRGB), with a white or off-white background;
- framed so the head is about half to two-thirds of the image height (25–35 mm on a 2 × 2 in photo);
- without glasses, and taken in the last 6 months.
Some consulates also ask for a printed 2 × 2 in photo; you can make that sheet here too.
What the tool does
Using face detection it crops your portrait to 900 × 900 pixels, then compresses it as a JPEG to stay under 240 kB at the best possible quality. The background is not replaced, because edited photos aren't allowed. Your photo is never uploaded: the face detector (about 17 MB the first time) downloads into your browser and runs on your device.
The online form checks the photo when you upload it; if it's rejected, adjust the crop based on the error message or take a new photo in better light.
We can't guarantee acceptance. The issuing authority always makes the final decision and rules can change: check the official page linked at the bottom before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
Why 900 × 900 pixels?
It's the middle of the allowed 600–1200 px range: detailed enough, and it still compresses under 240 kB at good quality.
Can I use the same photo for a passport?
For a US passport, use the 2 × 2 in passport photo page; the size rules are similar but you submit it differently.
Will my photo be accepted?
We can't guarantee it: the consulate decides.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State – Digital image requirements (visa)
- U.S. Department of State – Photo requirements (visa)
Last updated: November 13, 2026