Meets State Department photo rules

US photo rejection checker

Find out why a US visa or passport photo would be rejected, then fix it in one click. Free to check, private, no sign-in.

No sign-inPhoto never leaves your deviceVisa, passport, DV lottery
Drop your photo here or click to choose a file. JPG, PNG, WebP or iPhone HEIC. Selfies work, front-facing is best.
Choose photo
Face the cameraGood lightOriginal file

    What gets a US photo rejected

    Quick visual guide. Our tool checks all of these for you.

    GoodFacing the camera, neutral face, plain white background, head 50-69%.
    GlassesGlasses are not allowed (rare medical exceptions need a signed statement).
    Hat or head coveringOnly allowed if worn daily for religious reasons, with the full face visible.
    Shadows on the faceLight from one side leaves one half darker. Face a window instead.
    Dark or busy backgroundMust be plain white or off-white, with no shadows.
    Head too smallChin to top of head must be 50% to 69% of the photo height.
    Head tilted or turnedFace the camera squarely with your head level.
    Smile or open mouthUse a neutral expression with your mouth closed.
    Too close (selfie)Phone selfies distort the face. Shoot from 3 to 4 feet away.

    From selfie to approved in four steps

    No sign-in, no software, no waiting.

    1

    Choose the document

    US visa, passport, green card or DV lottery. Each has its own file size rule and we apply the right one.

    2

    Upload a photo

    We check face, focus, lighting, glasses, hats and resolution first. If it cannot be fixed, a pop-up tells you exactly why.

    3

    We fix the rest

    Dark or busy background becomes plain white. Your head is sized to the 50% to 69% rule and straightened.

    4

    Download

    Get a 600 x 600 px JPEG that fits the file-size limit, plus a 4x6 print sheet for passports.

    Checks every rule before you submit

    Straight from the State Department photo requirements.

    Color photoIn color, not black-and-white.
    Square, 2 x 2 inchesPrinted 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm). Digital files are square, 600 to 1200 px per side.
    Head sizeChin to top of head is 1 to 1 3/8 inches, which is 50% to 69% of the image height.
    Plain white or off-white backgroundNo patterns, objects or shadows behind you.
    Full face, looking straight aheadDirectly facing the camera, face fully visible and centered.
    Neutral expression, eyes openBoth eyes open and clearly visible. No tilted head.
    No glassesGlasses are not allowed, except rare cases with a signed medical statement.
    No hats or head coveringsUnless worn daily for religious reasons. Your full face must show, with no shadows.
    Everyday clothingNo uniforms (except daily religious clothing), headphones or wireless hands-free devices.
    Taken in the last 6 monthsIt must show how you look today.
    No editing of your appearanceNo filters, retouching or digital changes to your face. For passports, submit the original, unedited photo: no background changes either. Low-quality vending-machine or phone photos are not accepted.

    Read the full requirements guide →

    Frequently asked questions

    Is it really private?
    Yes. Your photo is processed inside your own browser. It is never uploaded to our servers, and there is no account or sign-in.
    Does it replace a dark background with white?
    For visa, green card and DV lottery photos, yes: the tool removes the old background and puts plain white behind you, without retouching your face. For US passport and child passport photos it does not, because the State Department says to submit the original, unedited photo. There we only crop and resize, and tell you if the background needs a retake.
    What if my photo is blurry or too small?
    A photo that is blurry, pixelated or too small cannot be fixed by editing. In that case we show a pop-up with the exact reason and tips to retake it.
    Does it check for glasses and hats?
    Yes. An on-device AI model looks for glasses and head wear. If you have a medical or religious exception, you can continue anyway.
    What is the file size limit?
    US visa, DS-160 and DV lottery photos must be 240 KB or less. Passport online photos must be 54 KB to 10 MB. The tool exports a JPEG that fits the limit for the document you choose.
    Will my photo definitely be accepted?
    We follow the published State Department rules, but only the consulate or agency reviewing your application decides. You still need to confirm things we cannot check, like that the photo is under 6 months old.

    Ready for a photo that gets accepted?

    Free checks, private processing, and a file that fits the official limits.

    Make my photo now