United States · photo maker
US Immigrant Visa (DS-260) Photo (2×2 in)
US Immigrant Visa (DS-260) photo rules: 2×2 in (51×51 mm), head 25–35 mm from chin to crown, white or off-white background, taken within 6 months. IDPlain checks your photo against each rule, tells you exactly what to fix, and makes print-ready sheets for $3.99. We only crop and resize — never edit.
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Official requirements
- Print size
- 2×2 in (51×51 mm)
- Head size
- The height of the head (top of hair to bottom of chin) should measure 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm - 35 mm)
- Background
- Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
- Glasses
- Eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos, except rare medical cases with a signed medical statement.
- Head covering
- Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose.
- Expression
- With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
- Taken within
- 6 months
Source: travel.state.gov (archived copy). Last checked Nov 7, 2026.
Download these requirements as a one-page PDF to bring to the counter.
What we will not do
“Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance in any way.”Official rule
“crop it to a square image of exactly 600 x 600 pixels, and save it to your computer for printing | The background is cropped using a photo retouching tool...”Official example of an altered photo
That's why IDPlain never replaces the background, retouches skin or "fixes" lighting. We check the photo you took and tell you how to retake it if something is off; then we only crop and resize it to the official size. Why we never edit the background
- ✓ Document
- 2 Photo
- 3 Check
- 4 Preview
- 5 Download
Before you shoot
- Plain, light wall
- Face a window
- Phone at eye level
- Neutral face, eyes open
US Immigrant Visa (DS-260) photo questions
Can I take my own US Immigrant Visa (DS-260) photo at home?
Yes. A photo taken at home by a friend or family member is accepted if it meets the rules. The official guidance: “While we recommend you use a professional visa photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements, you may take the photo yourself.”
Can I wear glasses in my US Immigrant Visa (DS-260) photo?
The official rule: “Eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos, except rare medical cases with a signed medical statement.”
Can I smile in my US Immigrant Visa (DS-260) photo?
The official rule: “With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open.”
Can I wear a hat or head covering?
The official rule: “Do not wear a hat or head covering that obscures the hair or hairline, unless worn daily for a religious purpose.”
How recent must the photo be?
It must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Can I edit the photo or change the background?
No. The official rule: “Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance in any way.” That's why IDPlain only crops and resizes.
Last updated