Every DS-160 application must have a digital photo attached to it. You must submit a JPEG image of a recent photograph taken to passport specifications. Please follow the guidelines below to take your DS-160 photo correctly. You can either visit a professional photographer or have the photo taken by an amateur providing it meets the following criteria:

Technical Specifications

Dimensions: The DS-160 photo must be square i.e. the height and width must be equal.  The minimum dimensions are 600 pixels (width) — 600 pixels (height). The maximum dimensions are 1200 pixels (width) — 1200 pixels (height).

Color: The DS-160 photo must be color to a ratio of 24 bits per pixel

File Size: Less than or equal to 240 kilobytes.

Compression: If you need to compress the image you should use a ratio equal to or less than 20:1

Scanning Specifications

Print Size:  If you are scanning your DS-160photo from a paper original you must ensure that the original paper photo is at least 2 inches — 2 inches (51 mm — 51 mm) square.

Resolution: You must use a sampling frequency of at least 300 pixels per inch.

Photo Composition

Content: The DS-160 photo must only show your face, neck and shoulders.

You must face frontwards towards the camera.

You expression must be neutral i.e. no smiling.

Your eyes must be fully open,

You must not wear any headwear or sunglasses. You may wear head coverings if they are worn for religious purposes  AND if they do not obscure any facial features.

The photo must be clear enough to show small facial features like moles or birth marks.

Prescription Eyewear: Glasses are permitted provided they are worn all of the time to correct sight difficulties and if the lenses are not tinted and there is no glare, shadows, or rims or frames obscuring the eyes. You can avoid any glare caused by your glasses by slightly tilting your head upwards or downwards.

Dark glasses or nonprescription glasses with tinted lenses are not acceptable unless you need them for medical reasons.

Validity: The DS-160 photograph must have been taken in the last 6 months

Head Size: The area from top of the head, including the hair, to the bottom of the chin must be between 50% and 69% of the image’s total height. Your head must be centered in the photo.

The eye height (measured from the bottom of the image to the level of the eyes) should be between 56% and 69% of the height of the image.

Background: Plain, neutral, light colored with no distracting shadows.

Brightness/ Contrast: This should not be over or under emphasized. It should be set to show your natural skin tome. 

Failure to meet the required standards may result in your application being delayed or denied.