US Visa Photo size For Indians: The specifications and Tips

Every year, millions of tourists from around the world, including Indian nationals, come to the United States of America for a variety of reasons. However, as many Indians are aware, applying for a visa is not a straightforward or uncomplicated process. Every year, millions of tourists from around the world, including Indian nationals, come to the United States of America for a variety of reasons. However, applying for a US Tourist Visa From India is not a straightforward or simple process. In this blog, I will discuss the US Visa Photo size.

Your Photos Or Digital Images

A crucial part of your US visa application is your photo. For some types of US visas, digital photographs are necessary, while photos are needed for other types of visas. The U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply will decide whether to accept your digital photo or photo. We advise using a professional US visa photo size service to ensure your photo satisfies all the standards. For example, your US visa photo size for Indians must be in the US visa passport size photo.

The Basic Photos Requirements.

In this section I will discuss the basic US Visa size photo requirements;

In color.

Sized so that the head is between 50 and 69 percent of the image's overall height, measured from the bottom of your chin to the top of your head, or between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (22 mm and 35 mm) in height, they want the full head height.

Reflecting on your current appearance and taken during the last six months.

Shot on an off-white or pure white background.

Shot with you facing the camera in full-face view and with both eyes open and a neutral facial expression.

In an attire that you would typically wear regularly.

Except for daily religious attire, uniforms should not be worn in your photo.

Unless worn daily for religious reasons, avoid donning hats or other head coverings that hide your hairline or scalp. You must be able to see your full face; the entire head covering must not be obscure. In addition, you should not include headphones, wireless hands-free devices, or similar objects in your picture.

Rare Cases Exceptions

Except in rare cases where eyeglasses cannot be removed for medical reasons. Such as, when you have recently undergone ocular surgery, eyeglasses are required to safeguard your eyes. Eyeglasses are no longer allowed in new visa photos. In these situations, a medical statement authorized by a doctor or other health care provider must be given. If the spectacles are approved for health-related reasons:

The eyeglasses' frames may not completely enclose the pupil.

Eye-obscuring glare must not be present on eyeglasses.

The eye must not be obscured by shadows or refraction caused by the spectacles.

If you typically wear a hearing device or other similar items, they can be visible in your picture.

A Disclaimer- you need to check out the photo examples to discover examples of both good and bad photos. Driver's license photos or images digitally scanned from other official documents are not accepted. Snapshots, magazines, and images were taken on low-end smartphones or vending machines, and full-length images are also unsuitable.

Digital Image Specific Requirements

The digital image must adhere to the following specifications:

Dimensions: The image dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (the height must be equal to the width). The minimum acceptable dimensions are 600 x 600 pixels. The maximum acceptable dimensions are 1200 x 1200 pixels.

Color: The image must be in color (24 bits per pixel) in SRGB color space, which is the typical output for most digital cameras.

File Format: The image must be in JPEG file format.

File Size: The image must be less than or equal to 240 KB (kilobytes).

Compression: The image may need to be compressed under the maximum file size. The compression ratio should be less than or equal to 20:1.

Want To Scan An Existing Photo?

In addition to the digital image requirements, your existing photo must be:

It must be 2 x 2 inches or 51 x 51 mm.

Scanned at a resolution of 300 pixels per inch (12 pixels per millimeter).

Additional Requirements For Nonimmigrant Visas Applicants Using Form DS-160 or Form DS-1648

The DS-160 or DS-1648 online forms for nonimmigrant visa applications will direct you to upload photos as part of submitting the online visa application form. If scanning an existing photo, look at the digital Image criteria, which list additional requirements.

Do You Want To Take The Photo Yourself?

While it is recommended, you use a professional visa photo service. You may take the photo to ensure your photo (US visa photo size) meets all the US visa photo specifications(US visa photo size). Digitally enhancing or editing photos (US visa photo size) cannot change your look. Here are the technical specifications.

US Visa Photo Requirements

You can use the Department of State’s free photo tool to:

Select a digital image stored on your computer.

Resize and rotate it if necessary.

Crop it to a square image of exactly 600 x 600 pixels.

Save it to your computer for printing.

The photo tool requires you to have Adobe Flash Player 10 or the latest version.

Please note that this tool is solely meant for cropping US visa photo size. Whether or not your US visa photo size is appropriate for your application will ultimately be decided by a Department of State staff.

Taking Photos Of Your Baby Or Toddler

Tip 1. Lay a plain white or off-white sheet over your infant's back. This will guarantee that your baby's head size is supported and provide the picture a simple background. Especially if you take a photo(US visa photo size) from above of your infant lying down, be sure there are no shadows on their face.

Tip 2. Take a picture of your youngster in the car seat, covered with a basic white or off-white sheet. This will also guarantee that your infant's head is supported.

Change Of Appearance

Generally, suppose you can still be identified from your visa application photo(US visa photo size). In that case, you will not need to submit a new photo. For example, growing a beard or coloring your hair would not generally be considered a significant appearance change. However, the U.S. embassy or consulate will ask you to submit a new photo With your application. If your photo (US visa photo size) or digital image, even if it is not more than six months old, does not accurately represent your current appearance.

If the following has occurred, you will be asked to get a new photo(US visa photo size):

If you experienced severe facial trauma or surgery.

If you removed or added several or significant face tattoos or piercings.

If experienced a substantial weight gain or loss

Had a gender transition.

You won't need to submit a new photo if the one from your visa application can still be used to identify you. For instance, changing your hair color or growing a beard would not typically be considered a big change in look.

Your child under 16 won't typically need to submit a fresh photo(US visa photo size) if their appearance has changed due to the natural aging process. However, the U.S. embassy or consulate where you apply will decide whether to accept your photo (US visa photo size) or digital image.

Face Coverings And Masks

It is noted that applicants may wear masks and facial coverings to stop the spread of diseases. You must take off any face coverings or masks before having your photo (US visa photo size) taken for your US visa for your full face to be captured. This is necessary, so we can verify your identity and view your full face. Please refrain from taking selfies because they frequently have inappropriate US visa photo sizes and head positions for passport shots.

Tips For Submitting Your US Visa Photo Size

As much as the US visa photo size is important, there are other things you have to consider when taking the US visa size photo.

Pose And Expression

Have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open. Face the camera directly with full face in view.

Can I Wear Sunglasses Or Tinted Glasses In My US Visa Size photo?

No, take them off for your passport photo. However, suppose you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons. In that case, you must submit a signed statement from your doctor with your passport application.

What Pose Should I Be In For My Photo?

Face the camera with your head centered in the frame and not tilted with a neutral expression or natural smile.

Can I Wear A Hat Or Head Covering In My Photo?

You may wear a hat or head covering. Still, you must submit a signed statement verifying that the hat or head covering is part of recognized, traditional religious attire. Or must be worn continuously in public or a signed doctor’s statement verifying the item is used daily for medical purposes. Your full face must be visible, and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.

Can I Remove Red Eye From My US Visa Photo Size?

No, you can not digitally alter a photo to remove the red eye. Instead, you will have to submit a new photo without a red eye.

Can I Smile In My US Visa Size Photo?

Yes, but it must be a natural, unexaggerated smile. Both your eyes must be open.

What’s The Best Way To Take A Photo Of A Baby Or Toddler?

When taking a US visa photo size of your baby or toddler, no other person should be in the photo.

Lay your baby on their back on a plain white or off-white sheet. Make sure there are no shadows on your baby’s face, especially if you take a picture from above. Covering a car seat with a plain white or off-white sheet and taking a picture of your child in the car seat may also be helpful.

Is It Acceptable For My Child’s Eye To Be Closed In Their photo?

It is acceptable if an infant’s eyes are not open or entirely open. However, all other children must have their eyes open.

Do I Need A New Photo If My Appearance Has Changed (Grown A Beard, Dyed My Hair)?

Only if your appearance has significantly changed from what is on your current visa. Growing a beard or coloring your hair would not constitute a significant change. You do not need to apply for a new visa if you can still be identified from the US visa photo size.

You may have to apply for a new US visa photo size if you have:

Undergone significant facial surgery or trauma.

Added or removed numerous/large facial piercings or tattoos.

Undergone a significant amount of weight loss or gain.

Made a gender transition.

If a child under the age of 16 appearance changes because of the normal aging process, you do not need to apply for a US visa photo size for them.

I’m Not Sure If My Photo Meets The Requirements. What Should I Do?

You can use the photo tool to see if your photo meets our requirements. Then, upload your photo and see examples of good and bad photos.

International students who are planning to pursue degrees in full-time academic programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or doctoral programs in the USA for Indians must obtain an F-1 student visa. As an Indian student, your course of study, the US university you plan to attend, and the exact type of visa you’ll need. We have a US F1 visa for Indians for you to check out the US visa size photo, US visa fees, and processing times. Moreover, if you have applied for the US F1 visa for Indians and you are awaiting the US F1 visa interview, we have a US F1 Interview Questions and Answers

All done, you can continue with your US visa application and go have a good time in the United States.