Free 2×2 inch US visa & passport photo
A square 51×51 mm photo built to State Department rules: AI background removal for a clean white backdrop, one-click face alignment, a 600×600 px file for DS-160, and print sheets with cut guides. Everything runs in your browser.
Who needs a 2×2 inch photo?
- US visas: every non-immigrant category (B1/B2, F1, J1, H1B…) and immigrant visas.
- US passports: new applications and renewals for US citizens.
- USCIS forms: green card, naturalisation and most adjustment-of-status packets.
- Indian visas: also square 2×2 inch — same dimensions, slightly different detail rules.
Specification at a glance
| Dimensions | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) — square |
|---|---|
| Pixels @300 DPI | 602 × 602 px |
| Digital upload | 600 × 600 px minimum, 1200 × 1200 px maximum |
| Head height | 1 – 1 3/8 in (25 – 35 mm), chin to crown |
| Eye position | 1 1/8 – 1 3/8 in (28 – 35 mm) above the bottom edge |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, no shadows |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Copies per 4×6 in sheet | 2, with cut guides |
| Copies per A4 sheet | 15 (3 × 5), with cut guides |
This is a working summary. Before you submit, check the current guidance on the US Department of State website or with the embassy or consulate handling your case — the rules do get revised.
Why 2×2 photos get rejected
- Glasses. Still the single most common rejection since the 2016 rule change.
- Head too large or too small. Anything outside 25–35 mm fails. After auto-aligning, ease the zoom slider down slightly to land inside the range.
- Shadows on the backdrop. Standing close to a wall almost always casts one. Removing the background with AI and dropping in flat white eliminates it entirely.
- Reused or stale photos. The image must be recent and must not be the one from your previous application.
- Smiling with teeth. A neutral expression with both eyes open is required.
Digital upload or printed copies?
DS-160 wants a digital file: use “Download one photo” at 300 DPI and you get a 602×602 px image, comfortably inside the 600–1200 px window the system accepts. Still bring printed copies to the interview — pick the 4×6 in sheet and have it printed at any photo lab, or use the A4 PDF on a home printer. Applying to a country that uses a different size? Start from the full ID photo size chart.
2x2 inch photo — frequently asked questions
What size is a US passport photo in pixels?
2×2 inches equals 51×51 mm — a square photo. At 300 DPI that is 602 × 602 pixels. For online submissions the State Department accepts square images between 600×600 and 1200×1200 pixels, so the 300 DPI export lands right in range.
Can I wear glasses in a US visa photo?
No. Glasses have not been allowed in US passport and visa photos since November 2016, including clear prescription lenses. The only exception is a documented medical reason, which requires a signed doctor’s statement.
How big should my head be in the photo?
The State Department asks for a head height of 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, with the eyes 1 1/8 to 1 3/8 inches (28–35 mm) above the bottom edge. The “Auto-align face” button targets roughly 72% of the photo height (~37 mm), which is slightly tall for this rule — nudge the zoom slider down a little after auto-aligning.
Is a 2x2 inch photo the same as 35x45mm?
No, and they are not interchangeable. The US uses a square 51×51 mm photo; most other countries use a portrait 35×45 mm photo. Submitting the wrong aspect ratio is one of the most common rejection reasons.
Does my photo get uploaded to a server?
No. Cropping and the AI background removal both run locally in your browser. Your portrait — a piece of personal data — never leaves your device.
Explore more
Need a perfectly flat white background?
Remove the old background with AI inside the tool, then drop in plain white — no shadows, no gradients, no fringing.
⬜ White background guide