US Passport Photo Online — 2×2 inch, $4.99

State Department compliant. Works for mail-in, online renewal, DS-160 visa, and USCIS. Ready in 2 minutes.

No AI face alteration · Free redo if rejected · No photo storage after delivery

Make My Passport Photo → Full requirements guide

No signup required · Instant download · Any device

US Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance

All US government passport and visa photos follow the same core specs set by the State Department. PixID validates every requirement automatically.

January 2026 enforcement: The State Department now rejects photos processed by AI, portrait mode, or beauty filters. PixID never applies AI face alteration.

Photo size
2×2 inches (51×51 mm)
Head height (printed)
1–1⅜ in (25–35 mm)
Head size (digital)
50–69% of image height
Resolution
300 DPI min (600 DPI recommended)
Background
Plain white or off-white
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed
Glasses
Not allowed (since 2016)
AI editing / filters
Not allowed (enforced Jan 2026)
Photo recency
Within last 6 months
Color
Color only

Digital file specs by application type

ApplicationFile formatFile sizeDimensions
Mail-in passport (DS-82, DS-11)Printed 2×2 in—600×600 px min at 300 DPI
Online renewal (travel.state.gov)DigitalJPEG or HEIF54 KB – 10 MBSquare, no px minimum
DS-160 visa (ceac.state.gov)Under 240 KBJPEG onlyUnder 240 KB240–600 px square
USCIS forms (I-485, I-90, etc.)Printed 2×2 in—600×600 px min at 300 DPI
DV Lottery (entry)JPEGUnder 240 KB600×600 px

Source: travel.state.gov · Verified January 2026

Works for Every US Passport and Visa Document

PixID automatically applies the correct file specifications for each document type. Select your document — we handle the rest.

🇺🇸 US Passport — Mail-in
Printed 2×2 in · 300 DPI
First-time (DS-11) or renewal (DS-82). We provide a 4×6 printable sheet for home printing or CVS/Walgreens.
Full specs →
🖥️ US Passport — Online Renewal
JPEG/HEIF · 54 KB–10 MB
Upload directly to travel.state.gov. Digital file only — no printing needed. No AI alteration per 2026 rules.
Online renewal guide →
📋 DS-160 US Visa
JPEG · under 240 KB · 240–600 px
B-1/B-2, F-1, H-1B, J-1, and all nonimmigrant visa categories. Upload to ceac.state.gov.
DS-160 photo guide →
🟢 USCIS — Green Card / Naturalization
Printed 2×2 in · 300 DPI
I-485, I-90, N-400, and other immigration forms. Same 2×2 inch format as passport.
Green card photo →
🎰 DV Lottery
JPEG · under 240 KB · 600×600 px
Diversity Visa program entry requires a digital photo upload. Specific pixel and file size requirements.
DV lottery photo →
🎓 F-1 / M-1 Student Visa
DS-160 format · JPEG under 240 KB
Applied through DS-160 at ceac.state.gov. Same digital photo requirements as all nonimmigrant visas.
Student visa photo →

Also: US Visa · Work permit · State ID · Driver's license · Naturalization

Why US Passport Photos Get Rejected

Government systems check photos automatically. These are the most common rejection reasons — all checked by PixID before you download.

Background not pure white or shadows on wall
Head too small or too large (outside 50–69%)
Glasses in the photo
AI editing, portrait mode, or beauty filter detected
Wrong file format (not JPEG for digital portals)
File too large (DS-160 rejects files over 240 KB)
Non-neutral expression or mouth open
Photo older than 6 months
Wearing hat or headwear (non-religious)
Uniform or camouflage clothing

Got a rejection? See our full rejection troubleshooting guide →

How It Works

Browser-only. No app. No account. Photos processed and deleted automatically.

1

Select document type

Choose US Passport, Online Renewal, DS-160, or any other document. We load the correct specifications automatically.

2

Upload your photo

Use an existing photo or take one now. Any smartphone photo works — rear camera, standard mode, portrait mode off, white wall behind you.

3

We validate and adjust

We crop to correct head size (50–69%), set white background, verify file format and size, run 100+ compliance checks. No AI face alteration — ever.

4

Download your compliant file

Get a digital JPEG ready for online portals, plus a printable 4×6 sheet for mail-in applications. Compliance report included.

Ready? It takes 2 minutes.

Upload your photo — we handle every spec, every check, every document type.

Make My US Passport Photo ($4.99) →

PixID vs CVS / Walgreens

In-store services provide printed photos only — no digital file for online renewal or DS-160. PixID gives you both, for less.

PixID.studioCVSWalgreens
Price✔ $4.99$16.99$17.99
Digital JPEG file✔ Included✗ Not provided✗ Not provided
Works for online renewal✔ Yes✗ No✗ No
Works for DS-160 visa✔ Yes✗ No✗ No
Printable 4×6 sheet✔ IncludedPrints onlyPrints only
Available 24/7✔ Any time✗ Store hours✗ Store hours
Free redo if rejected✔ Guaranteed✗ No✗ No
Compliance report✔ Every check✗ No✗ No

See also: CVS passport photo review · Walgreens passport photo review

Frequently Asked Questions

US passport photos must be 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). The head must be between 1 inch and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to crown, occupying 50–69% of the image height. For digital submissions (online renewal, DS-160), the file must be a JPEG with the head still at 50–69% of the image height. See the full size requirements guide.
Yes. The online renewal portal at travel.state.gov requires a digital JPEG or HEIF file between 54 KB and 10 MB, with head at 50–69% of image height, white background, no AI editing. PixID outputs a file meeting every requirement. See the online renewal photo guide for full specs.
Yes. The DS-160 at ceac.state.gov requires a JPEG under 240 KB, 240–600 px square. PixID generates a file within these limits. Works for B-1/B-2, F-1, H-1B, J-1, L-1, O-1, and all other nonimmigrant visa categories. See the DS-160 photo guide.
No. Glasses have been prohibited in all US passport and visa photos since 2016. Remove all eyeglasses for the photo. The only exception is with a signed doctor's statement for medical reasons — and even then, your full face must be clearly visible.
Yes — with conditions. Use the rear camera in standard photo mode. Disable Portrait Mode, beauty mode, skin smoothing, and all AI camera features (required since January 2026). Stand 4–6 feet from the camera in front of a plain white wall with even lighting. See the full guide to taking a passport photo at home.
If the State Department, USCIS, or any issuing authority rejects a photo produced by PixID for a compliance reason, we redo it at no charge — no questions asked. Contact customer@pixid.studio with the rejection notice. See the photo rejection guide for full troubleshooting.
No. We only crop, resize, and set the background. We never alter your facial features, apply beauty filters, or use generative AI to modify your appearance. This is required by US and EU law — document photos must be a true likeness.
No. Photos are processed entirely in your browser and deleted after delivery. There is no manual review and no server-side storage of your image.

Related guides

Get Your US Passport Photo — $4.99

State Department compliant · Works for mail-in, online renewal, DS-160, and USCIS

No AI face alteration · Free redo if rejected · No photo storage · Any device

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