OFFICIAL CONSULAR SPECIFICATION● PHOTO REQUIREMENTS GUIDEPassport Photo Size in Pixels, Millimetres and Inches
Understand physical size, pixel dimensions, DPI and file size before exporting or printing an application photo.
Try the assessment first. Paid downloads include a clean JPEG and print-ready sheet; review the package price before checkout. Follow the receiving authority’s photography instructions.
Pixels describe the image grid. Millimetres and inches describe physical dimensions. DPI relates the grid to a print size; it does not determine whether a portrait meets the application’s facial or background requirements.
Who this guide is for
Applicants troubleshooting files that look correct on screen but print at the wrong size or fail an upload requirement.
Key Biometric Specifications
Preparing the photo
Practical preparation tips; use the linked application instructions for requirements.
- For a 2×2-inch print at 300 DPI, calculate 2×300 = 600 pixels per side. At 600 DPI, the same physical size uses 1200 pixels per side. These are print calculations, not universal upload requirements.
- For a 35×45 mm example at 300 DPI, round 35÷25.4×300 and 45÷25.4×300 to approximately 413×531 pixels. Do not force an application’s independently specified pixel dimensions to match this example.
- Inspect the file properties after exporting. Check width, height, format and byte size separately.
- When printing, use the intended scale and measure a sample with a ruler. Do not rely on the printer’s preview alone.
Mandatory Consular Rules
- US paper passport photos are 2×2 inches, listed by the authority as 51×51 mm.
- Use exact inches for a 2-inch conversion; 51 mm is a rounded equivalent.
- Use the application’s pixel requirements for digital uploads rather than inventing a DPI rule.
Top Rejection Pitfalls to Avoid
- Printing with “fit to page” when an exact physical size is required.
- Confusing kilobytes with pixels.
- Enlarging a blurry image and expecting new detail.
Put physical measurements into a layout
The 300 ppi print-template tool converts your selected millimetres to sheet pixels. For a square source that needs cropping first, use the 2×2 converter. Keep the printer scale at 100% to preserve those measurements.
United States photo requirements and document options
Digital and printed copies
Changing only the DPI tag leaves pixel detail unchanged. Resampling changes the pixel grid. Neither action repairs an out-of-focus original.
Questions about this guide
Does 600 DPI guarantee a sharp photo?
No. Focus and original capture quality determine available detail. A metadata value cannot restore missing detail.
Is 51 mm exactly two inches?
No. Two inches is 50.8 mm; authorities often describe that format using the rounded 51 mm equivalent.
About this guide
ApprovaVisa editorial team
Requirements come from the linked authority source. Where our summary and the authority differ, follow the authority.
Prepare Your United States Photo
Check the receiving authority’s instructions before preparing a photo. Use professional photography where required, and retain the original image when digital alterations are prohibited.
Try the assessment first. Paid downloads include a clean JPEG and print-ready sheet; review the package price before checkout. Follow the receiving authority’s photography instructions.