P1. Taken in the last 6 months?
Old photos are rejected even if they look fine.
“Submit 1 color photo taken in the last 6 months.” Passport photos
If no: retake. At-home setup
Will my US photo pass? Free checklist for passport, DS-160 visa & DV lottery
Last verified 16 October 2026 · How we verify
US photo rules in brief (sources: travel.state.gov, Oct 2026). US passport: 2×2 in, head 1–1 3/8 in, color, last 6 months, plain white/off-white background, no glasses, original and unedited. A closed-mouth smile is allowed on paper applications. US visa (DS-160): square JPEG 600–1200 px, ≤240 kB, head 50–69% of height, neutral expression, no glasses. DV lottery: same standards as visa photos, 600×600 JPEG ≤240 kB. Reusing a prior year's photo or a manipulated photo can make you ineligible. USCIS no longer accepts self-submitted photos (PA-2025-29, 12 Dec 2025). The State Dept publishes no rejection-rate statistics.
This checklist mirrors published rules. It is not an official decision. A Department of State employee decides. Visa photos: “A Department of State employee will make the final decision whether your visa photo is acceptable.” Online renewal: “An employee will review your photo after we receive your application.”
P2. Color photo?
Same sentence as P1. Passport photos
P3. Original, with no filters, beauty mode, retouching, or background edits?
“Submit the original, unedited photo without filters or digital changes.” Passport photos
If no: retake with portrait and beauty mode off. Do not edit the file. How to take it
P4. Plain white or off-white background, no shadows, texture, or objects?
“Background must be white or off-white, free of shadows, and plain without texture, objects, or lines.” Tip on the same page: cover a non-white wall with a white sheet. Passport photos
If no: retake against a white sheet. Background guide
P5. Head 1–1 3/8 in (25–35 mm) on a 2×2 in print?
“The correct printed size of a passport photo is 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm).” Head “between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 - 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.” Passport photos
If no: crop to that size. US passport photo · 2×2 size
P6. Facing the camera, head not tilted, shoulders square?
“Face the camera directly with your full face in view and head not tilted.” Passport photos
P7. Eyes open, mouth closed, no exaggerated expression?
A closed-mouth smile is allowed on a paper passport photo. The same page also summarizes a neutral expression. Online renewal says “Avoid showing teeth.”
“You can smile in your photo. Just make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed.” Passport photos · Online upload
P8. Glasses off, unless a signed doctor's note?
“Take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses.” Passport photos
P9. No hat, unless worn daily for religion or medicine, with the full face visible?
Clothing, hats, and glasses section. Passport photos
P10. No uniform, camouflage, headphones, or earbuds?
“You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing.” Passport photos
P11. Even light, no shadows, not too bright or too dark?
“Have uniform lighting on your face.” Passport photos
P12. Sharp, and no red eye?
“Submit a high-resolution color photo that is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated.” “Do not submit photos with red eye.” Passport photos
P13. Paper application: photo paper, undamaged, not a photocopy or scan?
“Print your photo on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.” “Do not submit photocopies or digitally scanned photos.” Passport photos
P14. Online renewal: JPG, PNG, HEIC, or HEIF, 54 KB–10 MB, not a photo of a print?
“The file size should be between 54 KB and 10 MB.” Upload a digital photo
P15. Child: no other person, hands, or pacifier? Child faces the camera?
“No other person can be in the photo.” “It is okay if a baby's eyes are not entirely open.” Passport photos
V1. Color, taken in the last 6 months?
“In color.” “Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.” Visa photos
V2. Head 50–69% of the image height?
“head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) or 50% and 69% of the image's total height” Visa photos
V3. Square JPEG, 600×600 to 1200×1200 px, ≤240 kB, sRGB?
“Minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 x 600 pixels. Maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 x 1200 pixels.” “less than or equal to 240 kB” Digital image requirements
V4. Plain white or off-white background?
“Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background.” Visa photos
V5. Neutral expression, both eyes open?
The visa page does not allow a smile the way the passport page does.
“With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open.” Visa photos
V6. No eyeglasses, except a rare medical case with a statement?
“Eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos, except in rare circumstances when eyeglasses cannot be removed for medical reasons.” Visa photos
V7. Daily clothes, no uniform, head covering only if worn daily for religion?
See the clothing and head-covering bullets. Visa photos
V8. No headphones? A hearing device you normally wear is allowed.
“Headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar items are not acceptable.” Visa photos
V9. Not digitally enhanced or altered?
“Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance in any way.” Visa photos
V10. Not copied from an ID, and not a snapshot, magazine, vending-machine, or full-length photo?
The page names “low quality … mobile phone photos”. That is about quality, not a ban on every phone photo.
V11. If you scan a print: 2×2 in at 300 ppi?
“Scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch.” Digital image requirements
V12. Printed copy if the embassy asks (DS-160) or two identical 2×2 prints (DS-260)?
“Some embassies and consulates require visa applicants to bring one (1) photo.” Visa photos
D1. Same quality as a US visa photo?
“DV entry photos must be of the same quality and composition as U.S. visa photos.” DV-2026 instructions
Use the DS-160 tab for the shared rules. Expression is neutral, not the passport smile.
D2. JPEG, ≤240 kB, exactly 600×600 px?
DS-160 allows up to 1200 px. The DV instructions say 600×600.
D3. A new photo, not last year's entry photo?
“Submitting the same photograph that was submitted with a prior year's entry will make you ineligible for a DV.” Federal Register. The plain-language PDF says “may make you ineligible.”
D4. Not manipulated?
“a photograph that has been manipulated … may make you ineligible for a DV.” Federal Register
D5. Every family member on the entry has a compliant photo, except a US citizen or permanent resident?
“You may be ineligible for a DV if the entry photographs for you and your family members do not fully meet these specifications.” DV-2026 plain-language PDF
D6. If selected: two identical 2×2 prints for the interview?
Diversity Visa Program Selectees section. Visa photos
Questions
Can I smile in a US passport photo?
On paper, yes, if your mouth stays closed and your eyes stay open. Online renewal adds “Avoid showing teeth.”
Can I smile in a US visa or DV photo?
Use a neutral expression. The visa page does not give the passport smile allowance.
Can an app replace my background?
No. The passport page shows a retouched background as unacceptable. Retake on a white or off-white wall.
Can I wear glasses?
No, except a documented medical reason.
Can I reuse last year's DV photo?
No. The Federal Register says that will make you ineligible.
Does USCIS accept my own photo?
No.
How often are photos rejected?
Unacceptable photos are “the number one reason why we put passport applications on hold.” There is no published percentage. Official reasons
Is this checker official?
No. A Department of State employee decides.