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Guides

The photo rules for U.S. passports and visas, UK and Korean passports, quoted from the governments’ own pages, and how to take, print and pay for the photo. Each guide links to its sources and records when we read them.

  1. How to take a passport photo at home

    U.S. passport photo at home with an iPhone or Android: 2 × 2 in, head 1–1 3/8 in, plain white wall, glasses off. A helper, or a tripod and timer.

    Last checked 10 min read

  2. How to print passport photos on a 4 × 6 sheet

    Print a true-size 4 × 6 in sheet at a photo counter or at home: no auto-crop, no fit to page, 100% scale. Then measure one photo: 2 × 2 in.

    Last checked 7 min read

  3. How to take a baby passport photo at home

    A baby’s U.S. passport photo: plain white sheet or covered car seat, shot from above, no hands in the photo. Same 2 × 2 in size and head rule as adults.

    Last checked 6 min read

  4. U.S. passport renewal online: photo requirements

    Online passport renewal photo: JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF, 54 KB to 10 MB, taken in the last 6 months, never edited. Why the Photo Tool isn’t for renewal.

    Last checked 9 min read

  5. Can you use AI for a passport photo?

    Do not generate or retouch the photo you submit. U.S. and Korean rules require a real photo. How AI chatbots differ from passport acceptance.

    Last checked 10 min read

  6. Can I change the background of my passport photo?

    No for U.S. and Korean passports: an edited background is on the refused list. What color each document wants, and how to get a plain wall at home.

    Last checked 5 min read

  7. Passport photo rejected: why it happens and what to do next

    Unacceptable photos are the top reason the State Department puts passport applications on hold. Why photos fail, the 90-day letter, and our refund.

    Last checked 8 min read

  8. U.S. passport photo examples, drawn to the rules

    U.S. passport photo measurements drawn without faces: print size, head range, crop and print scaling. Compare the diagrams with official photo examples.

    Last checked 4 min read

  9. How much does a passport photo cost?

    Walmart, USPS, Walgreens and CVS take passport photos; check each store’s current price. Or $9.95 at home with the file and 4×6/5×7 sheets.

    Last checked 5 min read

  10. DS-160 visa photo requirements (600–1200 px, 240 KB)

    DS-160 photo: square JPEG, 600 × 600 to 1200 × 1200 px, 240 KB or less, head 50–69% of the height. Every rule, the pixel math and upload errors.

    Last checked 10 min read

  11. UK passport photo from the U.S.: taking it on your own device

    Apply online from the U.S. with a photo code or your own device: 600 × 750 px or more, 50 KB to 10 MB, taken in the last month, uncropped.

    Last checked 7 min read

  12. Korean passport renewal from the U.S.

    Renew at a consulate, on a mobile consular day or online: $52 or $49 for an adult, about 2 to 6 weeks, free photo in LA, New York, Chicago, Dallas.

    Last checked 10 min read

  13. The State Department’s Photo Tool: what it does and when to use it

    The State Department’s free Photo Tool crops a photo to 600 × 600 px for mail, in-person and visa applications. It isn’t for online passport renewal.

    Last checked 4 min read

  14. Where to get a passport photo in the U.S.

    Walmart, USPS, FedEx Office, Walgreens, CVS, The UPS Store and AAA: the price each lists, dated, and what you get. Costco and Rite Aid no longer offer it.

    Last checked 5 min read

  15. Can you smile in a passport photo?

    Yes, for a U.S. passport: a natural smile, mouth closed, eyes open. Not for a U.S. visa or a Korean or UK passport, which ask for a neutral face.

    Last checked 4 min read

  16. Religious head coverings and the hijab in a passport photo

    Allowed if worn daily for religious reasons, with a signed statement and your full face visible, in one plain color. U.S., Korean and UK rules, dated.

    Last checked 4 min read

AI headshots and profile photos

Profile photos have a different purpose from passport and visa photos. Read the likeness checklist and the rules before choosing your image.

Studioless is a private company and is not affiliated with any government agency. The guides quote the rules; only the authority that issues your document decides whether a photo is accepted.