The DS-160 is the US nonimmigrant visa application form — used for tourist, student, work and transit visas. It has strict photo requirements that trip up many applicants. Even a technically good photo can be rejected by the online system if the file is over 240 KB or the wrong dimensions. This guide covers every requirement for 2026.
DS-160 Photo Requirements at a Glance
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 600×600 pixels (2×2 inches) |
| File format | JPEG (.jpg) |
| Maximum file size | 240 KB |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Head position | Centred, facing directly at camera |
| Head size | 50–69% of total image height (chin to top of head) |
| Glasses | Not allowed (banned since November 2023) |
| Head coverings | Not allowed (religious exceptions apply) |
| Age of photo | Within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open |
The November 2023 Glasses Ban
In October 2023, the US State Department updated its photo guidelines to ban eyeglasses in all US passport and visa photos, effective November 2023. This applies to all DS-160 applications regardless of prescription strength or medical need. If you wore glasses in a previously accepted photo, you must retake it without glasses for any new application.
How to Check If Your Photo Is Accepted
The State Department's online DS-160 portal includes an automated photo checker. To pass it, your photo must:
- Be exactly 600×600 pixels (the system will crop or reject other sizes)
- Be under 240 KB — larger files fail to upload regardless of quality
- Have a plain white or off-white background (the AI checker rejects coloured or patterned backgrounds)
- Show a clearly visible face with no accessories blocking facial features
- Be a colour photo — black-and-white photos are rejected
How to Prepare Your DS-160 Photo
Step 1: Take or select a photo
Take a colour photo in good natural lighting against a white wall or plain white sheet. Ensure your full face is visible, centered, and that there are no shadows. Remove all glasses before taking the photo.
Step 2: Crop to 600×600 px
The DS-160 requires a perfectly square photo. Use our Passport Photo Maker to automatically crop your photo to 600×600 pixels with the face correctly positioned. The tool checks that the head-to-image ratio is within the 50–69% range required by the State Department.
Step 3: Compress to under 240 KB
A 600×600 pixel JPEG is typically 150–500 KB depending on quality. If your photo is over 240 KB, use our Compress Image tool and set a target of 200 KB (leaving headroom). The tool preserves photo quality at typical compression levels — your photo will still look sharp.
Step 4: Verify before uploading
Right-click the saved photo, check Properties → file size (must be under 240 KB). Open it in an image viewer to confirm it's 600×600 pixels. Only then upload to the DS-160 portal.