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US Visa Photo from Pakistan (2×2 Inch / 51×51mm)

Updated May 2026 · For Pakistani applicants · DS-160 240 KB

US visa photos are 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) square with plain white background, per the US Department of State. For Pakistani applicants the spec is different from the Pakistani passport (35×45 mm rectangular) and the DS-160 online portal enforces a strict 240 KB JPEG file size cap. Same format at US Embassy Islamabad and US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore.

Spec at a glance

Size	2×2 inch = 51×51 mm (square)
Pixels (DS-160 portal)	600×600 to 1200×1200 px
File format	JPEG only (PNG / HEIC rejected)
File size cap	240 KB maximum (strict)
Background	Plain white only
Head height (chin to crown)	25-35 mm (50-69% of frame)
Glasses	Not allowed (banned Nov 2016)
AI retouching	Not allowed (banned Jan 2026)
Photo age	Last 6 months

US embassies and consulates in Pakistan

US Embassy Islamabad (Diplomatic Enclave) — main visa processing centre, capital territory and northern Pakistan
US Consulate Karachi (Mai Kolachi Bypass) — Sindh and Balochistan regions
US Consulate Lahore (Empress Road) — Punjab region, central Pakistan

Where to get the photo in Pakistan

On-site photo service at US Embassy / Consulate (PKR 1,000-2,000). Often available near the visa appointment location. Photographer knows the US 2×2 inch spec.
Local studio (PKR 300-700) — if they know US visa spec. Specify "US visa 2×2 inch square, 51×51 mm, plain white background, no glasses". Pakistani studios default to NADRA 35×45 mm rectangular and need explicit instructions for the US format.
Free online tool at home (PKR 0). IDPhotoSnap US visa tool generates a DS-160 compliant JPEG (51×51 mm square, ≤240 KB, white background) plus a print-ready PDF with 6 photos per A4 sheet. 30 seconds, no upload to our server, no signup. Save the cost for the US visa fee (USD 185 for B1/B2).

Common rejection reasons

Wrong size (35×45 mm) — using Pakistani passport photo for US visa.
File size over 240 KB — DS-160 portal silently fails the upload.
Wrong file format — DS-160 accepts JPEG only. PNG and HEIC rejected.
Background not pure white — off-white or tinted backgrounds rejected.
Glasses worn — banned since November 2016.
AI retouching — banned January 2026.
Photo too old — must be within last 6 months.

Frequently asked questions

What is the US visa photo size for Pakistani applicants?

US visa photos are 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) square with a plain white background — the US Department of State specification used worldwide. For Pakistani applicants the same 2×2 inch format applies at US Embassy Islamabad and at US Consulates in Karachi and Lahore.

Is the US visa photo different from a Pakistani passport photo?

Yes. Pakistani passport photos are 35×45 mm rectangular with a white or off-white background, per NADRA. US visa photos are 51×51 mm (2×2 inch) square with strict pure white background. The two formats are NOT interchangeable. Get a separate 2×2 inch square photo for the US visa application.

What is the DS-160 240 KB file size limit?

The US DS-160 nonimmigrant visa online application caps photo uploads at 240 KB maximum file size. Most photo tools export 600×600 JPEG at 350-500 KB which silently fails. Our tool produces DS-160 portal-compliant JPEG at 600×600 pixels under 240 KB. The State Department also requires JPEG only (PNG / HEIC rejected), pixels between 600×600 and 1200×1200, pure white background.

Where are US embassies and consulates in Pakistan?

The US has one embassy and two consulates in Pakistan: US Embassy Islamabad (Diplomatic Enclave) — main visa processing centre, US Consulate Karachi (Mai Kolachi Bypass) — Sindh and Balochistan regions, US Consulate Lahore (Empress Road) — Punjab region. Visa interviews take place at these locations.

Can I wear glasses in a US visa photo?

No. The US Department of State has prohibited glasses in visa photos since November 2016. Remove them for the photo session. Religious head covering is permitted as long as facial features (chin to forehead and both sides of the face) are clearly visible.

How many US visa photos do I need at the appointment in Pakistan?

You need 1 digital photo uploaded to the DS-160 online application before the appointment, plus 1 physical printed photo to bring to the US Embassy Islamabad / Consulate Karachi / Consulate Lahore interview. Our print-ready PDF lays out 6 photos per A4 sheet — extra copies useful for the supporting documents package.

I am applying for a US B1/B2 tourist visa from Pakistan — does this photo work for B1, B2, F1, H1B?

Yes. The 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) format is required for ALL US nonimmigrant visa categories: B1/B2 tourist/business, F1 student, J1 exchange visitor, H1B work, L1 intracompany, O1 extraordinary ability, K1 fiancé, and all others. The spec does not vary by visa category.

Are AI-retouched photos accepted in 2026?

No. Effective 1 January 2026, the US Department of State no longer accepts visa photos that have been digitally retouched (background editing, skin smoothing, lighting adjustment, color filters, or AI-driven facial enhancement). Background segmentation and geometric cropping (changing dimensions only) remain acceptable. IDPhotoSnap only does background segmentation and crop — fully compliant.

Free US visa photo tool (DS-160 compliant)

Generate a 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square photo with ≤240 KB JPEG output for DS-160 upload. Free, browser-only, no upload.

Open US visa photo tool →