DS-160 photo rejected? Here is how to fix it
Most rejected US visa photos fail for ordinary, fixable reasons. Check this list before you upload again.
If the DS-160 upload fails, or your photo is later flagged, it almost always comes down to one of these problems.
1. The file is too big
The visa photo must be 240 KB or less. A photo straight from a modern phone is often several megabytes. Resize it to 600 x 600 px and save as JPEG; see our guide to getting a photo under 240 KB.
2. Wrong dimensions or not square
The image must be square, between 600 x 600 and 1200 x 1200 px. A rectangular crop, or a photo smaller than 600 px, will fail.
3. Wrong file type
Visa photos must be JPEG. HEIC (the default on many iPhones), PNG and screenshots are not accepted for visa uploads.
4. Head too small or too large
Your head, from chin to top of hair, must fill 50% to 69% of the photo height. Passport-style crops taken from far away are a common cause.
5. The background is not plain white or off-white
Any color, pattern, door, furniture, or visible shadow behind you can cause rejection. For visa photos, VisaPhotoFit can replace a dark or busy background with plain white. US passport photos must be the original, unedited photo, so retake those in front of a white wall or sheet.
6. Shadows on the face or uneven lighting
Light from one side or from above creates shadows. Face a window or a lamp so light falls evenly on both sides of your face.
7. Glasses, hats, headphones
Glasses are generally not allowed. Hats and head coverings are allowed only when worn daily for religious reasons, with the face fully visible. Headphones and wireless hands-free devices are not allowed.
8. Expression and eyes
Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed and both eyes fully open, looking straight at the camera.
9. The photo is blurry, pixelated, or edited
Blur and pixelation cannot be repaired. Retake the photo with the rear camera in good light. Filters, beauty modes and retouching are not allowed.
10. The photo is old
The photo must be taken within the last 6 months. For the DV lottery, reusing an old photo can lead to disqualification.
Fix everything in one pass with the free US visa photo maker. If your photo cannot be repaired, it tells you why. Sources: U.S. Department of State: visa photos and passport photos. Always confirm on the official site before you submit.