United States · Passport / Visa Photo
US Passport Photo Size & Specs
A US passport photo is 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) with a plain white or off-white background and the head occupying 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to crown. The same photo is accepted for US visa applications. The US Department of State is strict about background colour and head position — most rejections are for one of those two reasons.
Official spec
- Size
- 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) at 300 DPI
- Background
- Plain white or off-white
- Head height
- 1″ to 1⅜″ chin to crown (about 65% of photo height)
- At 300 DPI
- 602 × 602 px
Accepted for
- US passport (new + renewal)
- US visa application
- Green card / permanent resident
- Citizenship application (N-400)
Make your United States photo now
AI removes your background, sets the correct colour, sizes the photo to the official spec, and lays out a printable 4×6 sheet. Pro feature — $9/month flat.
Rules that get checked
- No glasses (banned since 2016, including non-prescription).
- Neutral expression with mouth closed, or natural smile (no exaggerated grin).
- Both eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
- No hats or head coverings (religious head coverings allowed if worn daily; face fully visible).
- Photo taken within the last six months.
Common reasons photos get rejected
These are the issues passport / visa authorities flag most often for United States applications. Most are avoidable with a careful re-shoot or the AI background tool.
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Background is not plain white/off-white (a cream wall reads as off-white, a textured wall does not).
- Head tilted or not centered.
- Wearing glasses, headphones, AirPods.
- Photo is digitally altered in a way that changes appearance (basic background replacement is fine; smoothing skin or changing features is not).
FAQs
What size is a US passport photo in pixels?
At 300 DPI it's 600×600 pixels. The State Department accepts 600×600 to 1200×1200 (so 2"×2" at 300–600 DPI). ImageSuite outputs at 600×600 by default for the smallest legal file.
Can I wear glasses?
No. Glasses were banned in 2016 for all US passport and visa photos, including non-prescription frames. Remove them before taking the photo.
Is a US passport photo the same as a US visa photo?
Yes — same 2"×2" size, same background, same composition rules. One photo works for both.
Do I need to print it on photo paper?
Yes — for in-person submission. ImageSuite outputs a 4×6 sheet with 4 copies that you can print at any drug store photo kiosk for under $0.50.
Official source: verify these specs against the United States passport authority before submitting.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html