Passport Size Photo for Visa Applications
Visa photos look similar to passport photos but every country specifies its own dimensions, head size, background colour and file size. Submitting a 35 × 45 mm photo for a US B1/B2 visa, or a 2 × 2 inch photo for a Schengen application, is the fastest way to get your application returned. This page lists the most-requested visa photo specs for Indian applicants in one place.
Specifications at a glance
- US (B1/B2, F1, H1B)
- 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), 600 × 600 px @ 300 DPI, white background, under 240 KB
- UK (visitor, student)
- 45 × 35 mm, light grey or cream background, JPEG under 250 KB
- Schengen (France, Germany, etc.)
- 35 × 45 mm, light grey background, 80 % face coverage
- Canada (visitor, study)
- 50 × 70 mm, neutral background, 31–36 mm chin-to-crown
- Australia (visitor, work)
- 35 × 45 mm, plain light background, no shadow
- UAE (visit, work)
- 43 × 55 mm, white background, both ears visible
Why every visa has different photo rules
Visa photos are matched against biometric templates at the immigration desk. Each country's template uses a slightly different head-to-photo ratio, so a perfectly framed US photo is too tightly cropped for Schengen and too loosely cropped for UAE.
Most rejections come from head size, not overall photo size. The crop has to leave the right amount of empty space above the head and the right chin-to-crown measurement.
US visa photo (DS-160 upload + printed copy)
The US Department of State requires a 2 × 2 inch square photo, 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI, taken in the last six months, against a pure white background. The head must measure 25–35 mm from chin to crown, centred in the frame.
You upload the photo during the DS-160 form and also bring a printed copy to the visa interview. If the upload fails (it commonly does), bring two printed copies on photo paper to the interview.
UK and Schengen photo
UK visa photos use 45 × 35 mm with a light grey or cream background. Schengen countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and most of Europe) use 35 × 45 mm with a light grey background and demand 70–80 % face coverage — closer cropping than UK.
If you are applying for both a UK and a Schengen visa in the same trip, generate two separate photos with the correct head crop rather than reusing one.
Make a compliant visa photo from your phone
Take a front-facing photo against a plain wall in even daylight. In our editor, pick the country preset and we will apply the correct dimensions, head crop, background and KB target automatically. Download the JPEG, upload to the visa portal, and print four copies on photo paper for the interview.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the US visa photo size?
- 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), 600 × 600 px at 300 DPI, pure white background, JPEG under 240 KB.
- Is a passport size photo the same as a visa photo?
- No. The physical size sometimes matches but background colour, head crop and KB targets differ by country.
- How many visa photos should I bring?
- Two printed copies for the interview plus the digital upload — bring four to be safe.
- Can I wear traditional Indian attire?
- Yes, as long as the face is fully visible and the head covering (if worn for religious reasons) does not cast shadows on the face.
- Do glasses need to be removed?
- The US and most Schengen countries require no glasses. UK allows them only without glare.