A passport photo is an important part of any official document application that includes photographic identification. In the United States photo requirements are identical in each state. Some offer a possibility to apply with a digital photo (ID cards and driving licence) and the digital photo is accepted also for Green card lottery. Here is the summary of photo requirement for each format.
What are US passport photo requirements for printed format?
- The photographs must not be older than six months;
- The photographs must measure 2×2″ (5×5 cm);
- The photographs of the applicant’s head must be between 1″ to 1 3/8″ (2.5 to 3.5 cm) when measured vertically;
- The photographs must have a white background;
- Must face the camera directly, with both ears visible;
- The photograph of each passport or visa applicant must be an unmounted full-face photo, taken within the past six months. A “full face” photo is one in which you should be facing the camera directly. You should not be looking down or to either side, and the face should cover about 50% of the area of the photo.
What are US passport photo requirements in digital format?
If a US authority demands a photo in digital format, it must meet these requirements:
- The photo must be square and 1200×1200 pixels;
- It must be in color such as the sRGB color space.
- The format of the photo must be in JPEG.
- The size of the photo must be less or equal to 240 kilobytes (kB).
- If your photo is bigger than that size, it can be compressed to a ratio of less than or equal to a 20:1 ratio.
- If you already have a physical photo which meets the physical photo requirements, you can scan it and make it as follows:
- The photo has to be in dimensions of 2×2 inches (51×51 mm).
- The resolution of the scanned photo must be 300 pixels per inch or 12 pixels per millimeter.
Hair requirement for passport photo?
Although variations in hairstyles and in head coverings make it difficult to rigorously define the term “face,” in general, the head including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. The key requirement is that the photograph clearly identifies you and there is no hair on face.
How should the head be positioned for the US passport photo?
With the head centered in the frame, the shot should be 2′′ square (approximately 50 mm square). The head should measure between 1 and 1 3/8′′ (25 and 35 mm) from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin, with the eye level between 1 1/8 and 1 3/8′′ (28 and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. Photos must be taken against a white backdrop and can be in color or black and white.
What will the format for printing a US passport photo be?
Printing photos without borders is recommended. Form DS-82 or DS-11 should be stapled or attached with photos (application for U.S. passport). If the photo is stapled, the staples should be as far away from the applicant’s face as practicable.
Are accessories on your face permitted for a US passport photo?
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 accessories detracting from the face as defined above 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.
What is the correct pose for the US Passport photo?
- Have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
- Face the camera directly with full face in view.
Taking a passport photo, yourself. Here’s how
- Take photos in a bright room. Use a white wall as a background.
- Stand one meter away from the wall, otherwise, there may be shadows on the wall.
- Use a tripod. Adjust the camera position to the eye level.
- When adjust the camera distance to leave enough space between the top of the head and top border of the photo.
Nonimmigrant Passport Photo Requirements for DS-160 Form
In addition to the standard requirements, there are also requirements for the types of passports. Some of the requirements related to US nonimmigrant passport pictures include:
- Applicants using Form DS-160, might need to submit a digital photo which must meet the digital photo requirements.
- In addition to the digital photo, you might also have to submit 1 physical photo as per their requirements
Immigrant Passport Photo Requirements
For those who are applying for a US immigrant passport to permanently stay in the US, you must submit two physical photos in photo quality paper that comply with the standard US passport photo requirements
To finalize your application, take the passport photo at home:
- Now you can easily create passport photos with your smartphone 24/7 without leaving the comfort of your house.
- Whether you need a photo for your driver’s license, passport, iD card, or any other official document – Smartphone iD is a handy solution and it’s available on all platforms. Receive a digital format shortly in your email or printed photos in mail.
Our AI and quality assessment team will verify the conformity with the ICAO’s (International Civil Aviation Organization) obligatory specifications, as well as the US official standards.
The US passport photo requirements are quite extensive. It might be difficult to fulfill them all by yourself. Also, if you submit photos taken with bad quality cameras, the US Embassy might reject them and you will have to submit the application again. This will increase the processing time and it will take longer for you to get your official document.
