US visa photo upload rules, explained
Most rejected visa photos fail on the file, not the face. Here is every official number, what it means in practice, and how to get a file that passes on the first try.
Official file rules
US visa & Diversity Visa digital photo
| How it is submitted | Uploaded online |
|---|---|
| Format | JPEG |
| Pixels | 600 × 600 px to 1,200 × 1,200 px, square |
| File size | ≤ 240 KB |
U.S. Department of State · checked on
The official numbers
The U.S. Department of State publishes one set of digital image requirements for visa applications, including the DS-160 and the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery entry. The file must be a JPEG, square, between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, and no larger than 240 KB.
There is a fourth rule many people miss: the compression ratio should be 20:1 or less. That one quietly sets a minimum file size, which is why a perfectly sized photo can still be refused.
What the 20:1 rule means for your file size
A square colour image stores 3 bytes per pixel before compression. A 600 × 600 photo is therefore about 1,080,000 bytes uncompressed, and 20:1 of that is about 54 KB. So a 600 × 600 JPEG should sit between roughly 54 KB and 240 KB.
At 1200 × 1200 the uncompressed size is about 4.3 MB, and 20:1 of that is about 216 KB. That leaves a narrow window of 216 to 240 KB. This is the main reason 600 × 600 is the easier choice: the window is wide and the quality stays high.
Step by step
- Start from a sharp, recent photo with an evenly lit, plain background.
- Open the tool from the button below. It is set to a 600 × 600 JPEG between 54 KB and 240 KB.
- Use manual crop to centre your head. The square should show your head and the top of your shoulders.
- Download the file and upload it in the application. Keep the original photo in case you need to redo it.
Common reasons the upload is refused
- The image is not square (for example a 3:4 phone crop).
- It is smaller than 600 × 600 or larger than 1200 × 1200 pixels.
- It is over 240 KB, often because it was saved straight from a phone camera.
- It was compressed too hard to get under the limit, so the ratio is above 20:1 and the face looks blocky.
- It is a PNG, HEIC or WebP file renamed to .jpg. The system checks the real format, not the name.
US passport online renewal is different
The online passport renewal service uses its own upload. The State Department’s renewal page only says you need an original digital photo in JPEG format and does not publish the visa-style pixel and KB limits. Do not assume the visa numbers apply there; follow the instructions shown inside the renewal application.
Make the file now
Opens the free tool with these rules already filled in. Your photo never leaves your device.
Questions
Is 240 KB measured as 240,000 bytes?
It is safest to treat it that way. Zekoya counts 240 KB as 240,000 bytes, so the file passes whichever way the site counts.
Should I choose 600 × 600 or 1200 × 1200?
600 × 600 for almost everyone. At 1200 × 1200 the file has to land between about 216 and 240 KB to respect both the size limit and the 20:1 rule.
Does the same photo work for the DV lottery?
Yes, the DV entry uses the same digital image requirements. Each person on the entry needs their own photo.
Is my photo uploaded to Zekoya?
No. The tool runs in your browser and the photo stays on your device.
Official sources
- U.S. Department of State · checked on
Rules change. Always confirm on the official page before you apply. Zekoya is not affiliated with any government agency.