Photo Requirements

Photo Requirements for Visa and Passport Processing

Visa applicants must bring one (1) photograph that meets the criteria below.

Passport applicants must bring two (2) photographs that meet the criteria below.

In order to safeguard the traveling public and utilize the latest biometric identification techniques, all applicants for U.S. visas and passports must present photographs that EXACTLY meet the following specifications:

• White or off-white background.
  
• 2 inches X 2 inches or 5cm X 5cm.
  
• High-quality, un-mounted, color photograph. (Digital photographs must be of sufficiently high resolution that the pixels are not visible.)
  
• Taken within the past 6 months.
  
• Full face, showing the entire, uncovered head. A "full face" photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. The applicant should not be looking down or to either side. Applicants who wear a head covering or hat for religious reasons may continue to do so, but only if that head covering does not obscure any portion of the face. Hairline (forehead) and ears MUST be visible.
  
• The head must be centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1 1/8 inch and 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
  
• Sunglasses, eyeglasses or other paraphernalia, which would detract from the face, are not acceptable.
  
• Photos of members of the military, airline employees or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable.
  
• Digitally altered photographs are not acceptable. (This includes alterations of color or pattern in the background of the picture. Photographs that are out-of-focus, airbrushed or otherwise substandard will not be accepted.)
  
• Group photos are not acceptable.
  
• For tips on obtaining passport photos in Iraq, please email USConsulbaghdad@state.gov