How many printed photos do I bring to the immigrant visa interview?

Two identical printed photos, in addition to the digital photo uploaded with the DS-260. Diversity Visa selectees applying for the immigrant visa follow the same rule.

Are DS-260 photo rules different from DS-160 rules?

The digital specification is the same visa standard: square JPEG, color, neutral expression, no glasses. The DS-260 route adds the two identical prints at the interview, and as with all visa photos, acceptance is at the discretion of the embassy or consulate.

Can my photo be a snapshot or cropped from an ID?

No. Snapshots, magazine photos, low-resolution vending machine or mobile phone photos, full-length photos, and photos copied from driver's licenses or official documents are all rejected.

Photo required

DS-260 photo requirements

Immigrant Visa and Alien Registration Application (Form DS-260)

Form DS-260 requires two identical printed 2 x 2 inch photographs brought to the immigrant visa interview. No photo is uploaded into the DS-260 itself.

Check my photo free

Failed the check, or starting from a phone picture? The DS-260 photo maker corrects framing, dimensions, file size and background to this document's exact figures, previewed free.

The specification

DS-260 photo specification
Number of photos	2
Printed size	2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), two identical prints on matte or glossy photo paper
Digital size	Not specified by the official source
Head height	Head 1 to 1 3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
Eye position	Eyes between 56% and 69% of the image height from the bottom
Background	Plain white or off-white
File format	Not specified by the official source
How recent	Taken within the last 6 months

Editing and retouching

Photos must not be digitally enhanced or altered to change your appearance in any way.

Department of State, quoted from the official source

What the official source does not say

Unlike DS-160, the DS-260 process does not take a digital upload, the requirement is printed photos at interview. Do not publish a pixel figure as a DS-260 submission requirement.

Questions about the DS-260 photo

How many printed photos do I bring to the immigrant visa interview?: Two identical printed photos, in addition to the digital photo uploaded with the DS-260. Diversity Visa selectees applying for the immigrant visa follow the same rule.
Are DS-260 photo rules different from DS-160 rules?: The digital specification is the same visa standard: square JPEG, color, neutral expression, no glasses. The DS-260 route adds the two identical prints at the interview, and as with all visa photos, acceptance is at the discretion of the embassy or consulate.
Can my photo be a snapshot or cropped from an ID?: No. Snapshots, magazine photos, low-resolution vending machine or mobile phone photos, full-length photos, and photos copied from driver's licenses or official documents are all rejected.

Verified against Department of State sources on 2026-08-04 · see every source we cite