Quick answer
What size is a US visa photo, and does the ESTA need one?
A US visa photo is square: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) printed, or 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels for the DS-160 form, on white or off-white with no glasses, taken within 6 months. Most Australians travel on an ESTA instead, which asks for a photo of your passport page and a selfie.
Australia is in the US Visa Waiver Program, so for short tourist or business trips most Australians apply for an ESTA instead of a visa. The ESTA asks for a photo of your passport data page and a selfie. If you need a visa, for study, work or other purposes, the US visa photo is square: 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) printed, or 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels for the DS-160 form, on a white or off-white background with no glasses.
United States visa photo size and requirements
| Print size | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head size | 1 to 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from chin to top of head |
| Digital size | Square, from 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 pixels |
| File | JPEG, 240 KB or smaller |
| Background | Plain white or off-white |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Expression | Neutral or a natural smile, both eyes open |
| Glasses | Not allowed, except for documented medical reasons |
Do not stretch your Australian passport photo
An Australian passport photo is taller than it is wide, while a US visa photo is square. Start from a portrait with space around your head and crop it to a square with your head centred.
ESTA photo and selfie
The ESTA application asks you to photograph your passport biodata page and take a selfie. The ESTA Mobile app also reads your passport chip using NFC and runs a "liveness" check on the selfie to confirm you are a real person. Apply only on the official ESTA website, esta.cbp.dhs.gov, or in the ESTA Mobile app. The official ESTA website gives the fee as US$40.62 per application.
A December 2025 US Federal Register notice proposed making the ESTA Mobile app the only way to apply and requiring five years of social media details. Check the official ESTA site for the current process before you apply.
US visa interviews in Australia
US visa interviews take place at the US Consulates General in Sydney (for NSW, Queensland and the ACT), Melbourne (for Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the NT) and Perth (for WA). Upload your digital photo with the DS-160 form before the interview.
How to get your United States visa photo right
- Check what your trip needs. Read the guide above to see whether your United States trip needs a visa or travel authorisation, and whether that application asks for a photo.
- Take a new photo. Take a recent photo facing the camera in even light, on a white or off-white background, no more than 6 months old, ideally with someone else holding the camera. Compare it with the sample photos on this page.
- Crop it to the United States size. Crop without stretching or editing, to match the requirements table. Photo size: 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm); Digital / submission: 600–1200 px square; File: JPEG, ≤ 240 KB.
- Apply through the official channel. Upload or attach the photo as the official website, app, embassy or visa centre asks. Its current checklist takes priority over this guide.
Sample photos
Samples show pose, lighting and background. Crop your own photo to the United States visa size.
United States visa photo FAQ
Yes. The ESTA asks for a photo of your passport biodata page and a selfie, taken during the application.
No. The US does not accept glasses in visa photos, except in rare cases with documented medical reasons.
No. US visa photos are square, 2 × 2 inches, while Australian passport photos are 35–40 mm wide by 45–50 mm high.
Official sources
- U.S. Department of State: Visa photo requirements
- U.S. Department of State: Visa Waiver Program
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: ESTA
- U.S. DHS: ESTA privacy impact assessment, July 2024 (PDF)
- Federal Register: ESTA information collection notice, December 2025
- U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Australia: Visas
Last checked . Requirements and fees can change, so always confirm with the issuing agency before you apply. This site is independent and not affiliated with any government agency.