DS-160 Photo Requirements — US Visa

DS-160 photo specifications

The DS-160 requires a digital photo uploaded through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) at ceac.state.gov. The same requirements apply regardless of visa category or country of application.

Requirement	Value
File format	JPEG only
Pixel dimensions	Minimum 240×240 px · Maximum 600×600 px · Square (1:1)
File size	Under 240 KB
Color	Color only. No black & white.
Background	Plain white or off-white. No shadows, objects, or patterns.
Head size in frame	50–69% of total image height (bottom of chin to top of head)
Expression	Neutral. Mouth closed. Both eyes open, looking at camera.
Glasses	Not allowed (prohibited since 2016)
Headwear	Not allowed, except for religious reasons (full face must be visible)
Uniform / camouflage	Not allowed
Photo recency	Taken within the last 6 months, reflecting current appearance
AI editing / filters	Not allowed. No retouching, beauty mode, or filters.

Why the DS-160 photo is different from a passport photo

The DS-160 photo has tighter pixel constraints than a passport photo. The most common confusion:

Requirement	DS-160 visa photo	US passport photo
Format	JPEG only	JPEG or HEIF
Pixel dimensions	240–600 px square	No minimum px, file 54 KB–10 MB
File size	Under 240 KB	54 KB – 10 MB
Physical print size	Not required (digital only)	2×2 inches when printed
Background	White or off-white	White or off-white
Head size	50–69% of frame height	50–69% of frame height

Important

The DS-160 upload tool will reject files over 240 KB with no error explanation — your application simply won't proceed. This is the most common technical failure. PixID outputs the file at the correct size automatically.

Common DS-160 photo rejection reasons

The CEAC upload tool checks these automatically.

✕File over 240 KB (most common technical failure)
✕Wrong dimensions — not square, or outside 240–600 px range
✕Not JPEG format (PNG, HEIF, WEBP are rejected)
✕Glasses visible in the photo
✕Head too small or too large (outside 50–69% of frame)
✕Colored or non-plain background
✕Shadows on face or background
✕Non-neutral expression (smiling, mouth open)
✕Photo older than 6 months
✕Wearing uniform or camouflage clothing

How to upload the photo to DS-160

During the DS-160 application at ceac.state.gov, there is a dedicated "Photo" page. Steps:

On the Photo page, click "Upload Photo"
Select your JPEG file (must be under 240 KB, 240–600 px square)
The tool will auto-crop and show a preview — verify head position
If the tool shows an error, the file does not meet specs — do not proceed with a non-compliant photo
Once accepted, continue to the next section of the form

Note: the DS-160 session has a timeout. Prepare your photo file before starting the application.

What PixID delivers for DS-160

✓Square JPEG at 600×600 px — within DS-160 limits
✓File size automatically kept under 240 KB
✓Head size verified at 50–69% of frame height
✓White background, shadows removed
✓No AI face alteration or filters
✓Free redo if the portal rejects your photo

Compliant JPEG ready to upload to ceac.state.gov

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Frequently asked questions

Can I use the same photo for DS-160 and my passport?

Not directly. A passport photo is typically a larger file (54 KB–10 MB, physical 2×2 in at 300 DPI). A DS-160 photo must be under 240 KB and 240–600 px square. You can use the same original photo, but the file must be separately optimized for each form. PixID lets you choose the document type and outputs the correct file for each.

My DS-160 upload keeps failing. What's wrong?

The two most common causes: (1) file is over 240 KB — the CEAC tool rejects it silently; (2) the file is not a square JPEG. Check your file size and dimensions. If you used a phone photo directly, it's almost certainly too large. PixID outputs a compliant file automatically.

Do I need glasses in the photo if I always wear them?

No. The US Department of State has prohibited glasses in passport and visa photos since 2016, regardless of whether you wear them daily. Remove glasses for the photo. If you have a medical reason, a doctor's statement is required — but in practice, applicants are asked to remove glasses.

Can I wear a hijab or other religious head covering?

Yes, if worn daily for religious reasons. Your full face — from bottom of chin to top of forehead — must be clearly visible. No shadows on the face from the covering. The background must still be plain white or off-white.

How old can the photo be?

The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and reflect your current appearance. If your appearance has significantly changed (new facial hair, major weight change, etc.), you need a new photo even if the previous one is within 6 months.

Does the same photo work for all US visa types?

Yes. The DS-160 photo specifications are the same for all nonimmigrant visa categories — B-1/B-2, F-1, H-1B, J-1, L-1, O-1, and others. All are submitted through the same CEAC portal with the same requirements.

Validated against State Department DS-160 requirements

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Correct JPEG format · Under 240 KB · 600×600 px · Head size verified. Ready to upload to ceac.state.gov.

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