US visa photo:
600 × 600 px, under 240 KB.
Upload a photo and BasePic crops it square, makes it 600 × 600 pixels and saves a JPG within the State Department’s file rules.
or drag and drop files anywhere on this page · paste an image with Ctrl+V
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Download a video
Download only what you have the right to use. Files stay on BasePic for one hour.
US visa photo: the official rules
What BasePic makes in one tap. Upload above and pick one under Resize → US visa.
| Upload | BasePic makes | File | Official rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo | 600 × 600 px | JPG, 53–240 KB | Square JPEG, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px, 240 kB or less, color (sRGB), compression ratio 20:1 or less |
Sources, checked Oct 23, 2026: U.S. Department of State — Digital image requirements · U.S. Department of State — Photo requirements. Rules can change — check the official page before you apply.
How it works
- Upload your photo
Take it in front of a plain white or off-white wall, facing the camera, without glasses. Then tap Upload photo.
- Place your head
Resize opens with the US visa photo size picked and a square box on the photo. Drag the box so your head, from the chin to the top of the hair, takes up 50–69 % of its height.
- Save and download
Tap Save & get link. BasePic saves a 600 × 600 JPG of up to 240 KB and shows its size — tap Download and upload it in your DS-160.
The official rules
The State Department asks for a square JPEG, at least 600 × 600 and at most 1200 × 1200 pixels, 240 kB or less, in color (sRGB), with a compression ratio of 20:1 or less. The head, from the chin to the top of the head, must be 50–69 % of the image height, and the eyes 56–69 % of the height, measured from the bottom.
What BasePic does
One tap crops your photo to a square, makes it exactly 600 × 600 pixels and saves a color JPG of up to 240 KB. To keep the compression ratio at 20:1 or less, BasePic raises the quality until the file is at least 53 KB; if a very plain photo stays under that even at the highest quality, it tells you. The background, the light and your pose come from the photo you take.
Take the photo right
Plain white or off-white background, even light, facing the camera, neutral expression with both eyes open. No glasses, except in rare cases when they can’t be removed for medical reasons. The photo must be taken in the last 6 months.
US visa photo: questions
What size is a US visa photo in pixels?
Square, at least 600 × 600 and at most 1200 × 1200 pixels. BasePic makes 600 × 600.
What is the file size limit for a US visa photo?
240 kB or less, in JPEG format. BasePic keeps the file under 240 KB and aims for at least 53 KB.
What does the 20:1 compression ratio mean?
A 600 × 600 color photo without compression is 1,080,000 bytes. At 20:1 or less the JPEG must be at least 54,000 bytes (about 53 KB). BasePic raises the quality to stay above that, and tells you if a photo can’t reach it.
Can I wear glasses in a US visa photo?
No. Glasses are not allowed in new visa photos, except in rare cases when they can’t be removed for medical reasons — then a medical statement is needed.
Will BasePic tell me if my photo is accepted?
No. BasePic sets the size, the crop and the file. The State Department decides if a photo is accepted.