If you are in applying for a US Visa, these are the requirements for a passport photograph for your visa application.
To ensure you do the right thing, take note of the size, pose, print quality and all the do’s and don’t’s for the recommended passport photo for your US visa application.
It is also important that you take your passport at a photo studio that is familiar with the requirement by the US embassy for the passport photo for US visa application.
If you are in the city of Port Harcourt, you can take your US visa application passport photo at Visual Plus Studios.
Watch this video below for further instructions.
Guide for Passport Photos
You must provide one photo with your passport application.
All our photo policies apply to both adults and children under age 16. We have a few exceptions to our photo policies for infants.
- Submit a color photo, taken in last 6 months
- Use a clear image of your face. Do not use filters commonly used on social media.
- Have someone else take your photo. No selfies.
- Take off your eyeglasses for your photo.
- Use a plain white or off-white background
Resolution, Print Size, and Quality
- Submit a high resolution photo that is not blurry, grainy, or pixelated.
- The correct size of a passport photo is:
- 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
- Head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
- Printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper
- Do not digitally change the photo
- You cannot submit a damaged photo with holes, creases, or smudges.
Pose and Expression
- Have a neutral facial expression or a natural smile, with both eyes open.
- Face the camera directly with full face in view.
- Note to parents of young children: we have sample photos in the Photo Examples section below with tips for submitting a baby’s passport photo. We realize that an infant’s pose and expression are challenging to maintain for a photo.
Attire
- You cannot wear glasses.
- If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with application.
- Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis.
- You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage attire.
- You cannot wear a hat or head covering.
- If you wear a hat or head covering for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that verifies that the hat or head covering in your photo is part of traditional religious attire worn continuously in public.
- If you wear a hat or head covering for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor’s statement verifying the hat or head covering in your photo is used daily for medical purposes.
- Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot obscure your hairline or cast shadows on your face.
- You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.
- You can wear jewelry and keep on your facial piercings as long as they do not hide your face. Permanent tattoos are acceptable for passport purposes as well.
PHOTO EXAMPLES
Shadows and Lighting
Acceptable— Photo is clear and in color, reproduces skin tones accurately, and is properly exposed with no shadows
Glasses
Unacceptable— Glasses not allowed
Photo tip: Even when glasses are worn every day, you must remove your glasses for a photo.
SIZE AND POSITION
Size and Position
Acceptable— The head is centered and the correct size.
Photo tip: Photo should be 2”x2” (51 x 51 mm) with the head centered and sized between 1” and 1.4” (25 and 35 mm).
Acceptable— The head is centered and the correct size.
Resolution, Print Size, and Quality
Acceptable— Photo is sharp without any visible pixels or printer dots
Digital Alterations and Retouching
Unacceptable— Background is cropped out using a photo retouching tool, altering the outline of the head, face, and neck
Photo tip: Take your photo in front of a white or off-white background instead of cropping out the background.
Pose and Expression
Acceptable— Applicant is directly facing camera with a neutral expression, eyes are clearly visible
Attire, Hats, and Hair
Acceptable— Subject’s full face is visible, no shadows or clothing obscure the face
Photo tip: You may not wear hats or head coverings, except for religious or medical purposes and with a signed statement.
Background
Acceptable— Background is uniform, plain and white or off-white, and free of shadows
Children
Acceptable— No other person is in the photo, the child is facing the camera with his eyes open
Photo tip: It is acceptable if the infant’s eyes (particularly a newborn’s) are not, or are not entirely, open.
Unacceptable— Exaggerated facial expression
Photo tip: The child’s facial expression must be neutral.
Unacceptable— Object obscures portion of the face
Photo tip: The child’s full face must be visible. Remove objects obscuring portions of the face.
Unacceptable— Child is not facing the front with neutral expression
Photo tip: Ensure the child’s head is facing forward with a neutral facial expression.
After taking your photo, proceed to the US visa website and follow the instructions for visa application.
It is important to adhere strictly to these rules to ensure your photograph is accepted for your application.
Visual Plus Studios is well acquainted with these rules and are your best choice to take your application photograph.
Are you planning a wedding in Nigeria, read this. You can also read this if you are planning a photo shoot for your baby in Port Harcourt, Nigeria.