If you're applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa in the UK, read this to make sure your photograph meets the Department of State's requirements. We provide information on: 1) Pose and Expression 2) Size 3) Quality 4) Appearance 5) Photographing children

1. Nonimmigrant Visas
DS-160 Photo Requirements

2. 1
• Pose and expression
2
• Size
3
• Quality
4
• Appearance
5
• Photographing children
Applying for a nonimmigrant visa in the UK?
Keep reading to make sure your photograph
meets the Department of State’s requirements

3. Pose and expression

4. Pose and expression
1
• Directly facing the camera
with your head centered in the photo
2
• Your eyes open and
your mouth closed in a neutral expression
3
• A good likeness of your current appearance,
taken within the last six months

5. Size

6. Size
1 • 2 inches by 2 inches square (51mm x 51mm)
2
• Your head should be between 1inch and 1 3/8 inches
(22mm and 35mm) or between 50% and 69%
of the total height of the image
3 • The photo is not the same size as a UK passport photo!

7. You can use the Department of State’s
handy online tool to crop your
photo to the right size
1
• Upload your photograph to your computer
2
• Visit bit.ly/photographtool
3
• Click ‘Choose Photo’ at the bottom of the webpage
to get started!

8. Quality

9. Quality
1
• Must be in color and
taken against a white or off-white background
2
• Must accurately reflect skin tones and
not be underexposed, overexposed or in shadow
3
• Must be in focus, not grainy, blurry, pixelated or damaged
– do not scan the photo from your driving license!

10. Appearance

11. Appearance
1 • No selfies, holidays snaps or social media pictures!
2
• A head covering can be worn
if your wear it daily for religious reasons
and it does not obscure your face in the photograph
3 • Don’t wear a hat, helmet or uniform
4 • Make sure your hair does not cover your face
5 • Don’t digitally alter your photo (except red-eye removal)
5 • If you wear glasses, take them off for the photograph

12. Photographing children

13. Photographing children
1 • Your child’s eyes should be open and their
mouth closed in a neutral expression, if at all possible
2
• You can lay your baby on a white sheet
or in a car seat covered with a white sheet
3 • No-one else should be visible in the photograph
4 • Nothing should cover your child’s face

14. You must try to upload a photo meeting the
requirements at least once
It should be a JPEG file no larger than 240 Kb
If you remain unable to upload
the photo, you may select
on the application form
Bring a printed copy of the photo to your
interview in case it is requested for review

15. Do not assume that your photograph is
acceptable just because it uploads to the
electronic application form
Your photograph must be suitable to be
printed on a visa and meet all of the
Department of State’s requirements

16. If your photograph does not meet the
requirements, your application will be
delayed and you will be required to
obtain a replacement at your own expense

17. Remember
1
• Your must face the camera looking straight ahead with your
eyes open and your mouth closed in a neutral expression
2
• The photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches
– that’s not the same as a UK passport photo!
3
• You can crop your photograph using bit.ly/photographtool
4
• Your photo must be in color and
taken against a white or off-white background
5
• Don’t wear glasses in your photograph
6
• No selfies, holiday snaps, social media pictures
or digitally altered photos!

18. Once your photo is ready, check our
SlideShare presentation at
http://www.slideshare.net/USAinUK/us-
nonimmigrant-visas-completing-form-ds160
for more tips about completing Form DS-160!
Click on your purpose of travel at
https://uk.usembassy.gov/visas/ for
step-by-step information about the
visa application process,
including a list of documents required

19. Click on the logos below for information and
updates from U.S. Embassy London!
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