The United States Department of State has revised its photograph requirements for nonimmigrant visa applications. Nonimmigrant visas include those for tourism, business, study, and work. Beginning April 10, 2003, the U.S. Embassy Consular Section will no longer accept any photo that does not meet these standards. The size requirement is specified on the new visa application form, which is available at the U.S. Embassy. You may download the visa application forms DS-156, DS-157, and DS-158 from the Internet at www.arpsdir.a.state.gov/eform/formsearch.html.

The photograph of each visa applicant must be an unmounted full-face photo, taken within the past six months. A "full-face" photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. The applicant should not be looking down or to either side, and the face should cover about 50 percent of the area of the photo. Although variations in hair styles and in head coverings make it difficult to rigorously define the term "face" in general, the head of the applicant, including both face and and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on to and bottom, and from hair line side-to-side. It is preferable that the ears be exposed. The key requirement is that the photograph clearly identify the applicant.

The photograph should measure 2 inches square (roughly 50 mm square) with the head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1 1/8 inch and 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo. photos may be either in color or black and white and must be taken against a a white or off-white background. Photos should be printed without borders. Photos should be stapled or glued to Form DS-156, Nonimmigrant Visa Application. If the photograph is stapled, the staples should be placed as far as possible from the applicant's face. Photos taken in front of a busy patterned or dark background will not be accepted.

Head coverings and hats are only acceptable due to religious beliefs, and even then, may not obscure any portion of the applicant's face. Sunglasses or other paraphernalia that detract from the face are not acceptable, unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example). A photograph depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable. Photos of military, airline, or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable. Photographs of applicants wearing tribal, national costume, or other headgear not specifically religious in nature are not acceptable.