Visa requirements
Visa photo requirements by destination
Visa photos are not interchangeable with passport photos unless the size and rules match.
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Visa photos are not interchangeable with passport photos unless the size and rules match. US DS-160 and ESTA use the same 2×2 inch spec as US passport; Schengen and UK visa use 35×45 mm; Chinese visa uses 33×48 mm. Pick the exact visa document before you upload.
Example compliant crops
Illustrative samples — not real applicants.
Popular visa formats
- US Visa / DS-160 — 51×51 mm, 600×600 px, white bg, head 50–69%
- ESTA — same 2×2 inch digital spec as US visa
- Schengen visa — 35×45 mm, light grey background
- UK visa — 35×45 mm, light grey; digital uploads may need 600×750 px minimum
- Chinese visa — 33×48 mm white background
More details
Indian e-Visa — square 35×35 mm format
Visa vs passport — can you reuse?
US passport and US visa photos often share identical dimensions — a compliant 2×2 file may work for both.
More details
US passport and US visa photos often share identical dimensions — a compliant 2×2 file may work for both. Schengen visa and UK passport both use 35×45 mm but background and head bands can differ slightly; always select the visa document in PicsForm. Never reuse a US 2×2 photo for Schengen without re-cropping to 35×45 mm.
Digital upload pitfalls
Embassy portals enforce maximum file size (US visa commonly 240 KB) and exact pixel dimensions.
More details
Embassy portals enforce maximum file size (US visa commonly 240 KB) and exact pixel dimensions. A correctly framed portrait exported at the wrong resolution or over the size limit will fail at upload even if it looks fine on screen.
Official specifications
- US Visa / DS-160 (51×51 mm) →
- Schengen Visa (35×45 mm) →
- UK Visa (35×45 mm) →
- Canadian Visa / Temporary Resident (35×45 mm) →
- Australian Visa / ImmiAccount (35×45 mm) →
- Chinese Visa (33×48 mm) →
- UAE Visa / Emirates ID (35×45 mm) →
- Indian Visa (35×35 mm) →
- German / Schengen Visa (35×45 mm) →
- French / Schengen Visa (35×45 mm) →
- Japanese Visa (45×45 mm) →
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
What size is a DS-160 photo?
2×2 inches (51×51 mm), typically 600×600 pixels at 300 DPI, white background, neutral expression, no glasses.
Is Schengen visa photo the same as passport?
Often both are 35×45 mm, but visa applications may specify light grey while some national passports prefer white. Select Schengen visa in PicsForm for visa-specific rules.
What about Indian e-Visa photos?
Indian e-Visa uses a square format (35×35 mm / 413×413 px), not the 35×45 mm Indian passport rectangle.
Can I wear glasses in a visa photo?
US visa and most Schengen rules prohibit glasses. Medical exceptions exist in some countries — check the official page for your visa type.
PicsForm matches published requirements; always confirm current rules on the official portal.