Photo requirements for U.S. Visa

1. U.S Visa Photo Requirements
Applying for a U.S Visa in Ecuador

2. Are you applying for a U.S Visa?
All U.S Visas require an accurate photo of the visa applicant
This presentation will give you information on taking
a photo that meets the U.S Visa requirements

3. Basic Requirements
• A color photo with your face looking
directly ahead and your head
centered
• With a neutral facial expression and
both eyes open
• Taken within the last 6 months to
reflect your current appearance

4. Sizing Requirements
• Printed on photo-quality paper
• Sized such that the head is between 1
inch and 1⅜ inches (22 mm and 35
mm) from the bottom of the
photograph
• Photo should be 2 inches by 2 inches
(51mm by 51mm), excluding borders
• White or off-white background

5. Quality Requirements
• A digital photograph is acceptable if it
meets all the requirements. A
photograph from a professional
photographer in not needed
• Your face must be in focus. We cannot
accept photos that are blurred,
shadowed, obscured, pixelated, etc
• No digital alterations to facial features
of any sort

6. Rules on Eyewear
• Eyewear is acceptable if worn for
medical reasons
• Glasses that obscure the eyes are not
acceptable (unless darker glasses are
medically required with a proven doctor’s
statement)
• Reflective glasses or those that casts
shadows or glares over the eyes are
NOT acceptable

7. Rules on Clothing
• Photos should be taken in clothing
that you normally wear on a daily
basis
• Uniforms should not be worn in your
photo, except religious clothing that is
worn daily
• Do not wear a hat or head covering
that obscures the hair or hairline,
unless worn daily for a religious
purpose (Your full face must be visible, and
the head covering must not cast any shadows
on your face)

8. Photographing Children
• You may lay the child on a white/off-white
sheet or place the child in a car
seat that is covered in a white/off-white
sheet or is naturally colored so
• Open eyes is preferred, but not
strictly required
• No one other than the child should
be in the photograph

9. REMEMBER
It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your
photograph meets all the requirements
If not, then you will be required to submit a new
photograph that does meet the requirements and the
processing of your visa application will be delayed

10. It is not possible to update or change your photo once you have
a valid visa
It is understood that an individual’s appearance may change
during the validity period of their visa, especially when they are
children
If you are over the age of 18, and you are concerned that your
visa photo does not depict you well enough anymore, then you
will have to apply for a new visa