USCIS STANDARDS

Photo Requirements.

U.S. Diversity Visa photo submissions are parsed automatically by computer vision validators. Ensure compliance using the official specifications below.

Specification Required Standard
Image Dimensions 600 x 600 pixels (minimum) up to 1200 x 1200 pixels (maximum)
File Format JPEG / JPG only. (PNG or HEIC are not accepted)
File Size Under 240 Kilobytes (KB)
Color Space sRGB (standard color camera output)
Compression Ratio Less than or equal to 20:1 compression
Head Height 50% to 69% of the photo's total height (300 to 414 pixels)
Eye Level 56% to 69% of the height measured from the bottom of the photo
Background Plain white or light off-white. No shadows, patterns, or colors.
Glasses Strictly prohibited (No prescription glasses, no sunglasses)
Recency Taken within the last 6 months

8 Common Photo Rejection Reasons

  • Wearing Glasses: The absolute #1 reason for visa photo rejection. Glasses must be removed entirely.
  • Incorrect Crop / Head Size: Head is either too close to the camera or too far away.
  • Non-White Background: Background is dark, has shadows, textures, patterns, or home wallpapers.
  • Shadows on Face: Heavy shadows under the nose, eyes, or behind the head on the background.
  • Non-Neutral Expression: Smiling widely, showing teeth, frowning, or blinking. Natural, neutral pose only.
  • Out of Focus / Low Quality: Blurry, pixelated, or heavily filtered images.
  • Over-exposure / Under-exposure: Photos that are too bright or too dark, changing skin tone.
  • Head/Body Rotation: Subject is tilted or facing sideways. Head must look straight at the lens.

Correct vs. Incorrect Visual Guide

✓ Correct

Perfect Alignment

Centered, plain white background, head height fits the 50-69% ratio, neutral expression, no glasses.

✗ Shadowed Background

Background Shadows

Flash or room lighting casts shadows behind the head. Background must be plain and shadowless.

✗ Wearing Glasses

Glasses Prohibited

Even daily prescription glasses are banned. You must remove them entirely for the photograph.

✗ Head Too Close

Incorrect Proportions

Head is cropped too tightly, taking up more than 70% of the space. Ensure the head outline fits inside guides.