The DS-160 photo specification
The US State Department photo requirements have not changed materially since 2016. They apply at every US consulate, including the third-country consulates Russian-resident applicants now use:
- Aspect ratio: square, 1:1
- Print size: 2 × 2 inches, equivalent to 51 × 51 mm (commonly written as 50 × 50)
- Digital size for upload: minimum 600 × 600 pixels, maximum 1200 × 1200, JPEG file format
- File size: under 240 KB
- Background: plain white or off-white, no shadows, no patterns
- Face area: head must be between 50 and 69 percent of frame height from chin to top of head
- Resolution: 300 DPI or higher
- Colour: 24-bit colour depth, not black and white
- Glasses: not allowed since November 2016, even for medical reasons
- Recency: taken within the last 6 months
What is different about US visa photos vs Russian or Schengen
Three things make the US photo distinct and trip up applicants who recently used a Schengen-style 35 × 45 portrait:
- Square format. Most ID photos worldwide are 3.5 × 4.5 (Schengen) or 4 × 6 (some Asian countries). The US format is square, and you cannot crop a 35 × 45 to a 50 × 50 without losing image. The photo has to be shot in square framing from the start.
- No glasses, period. This has caught daily-wearers off guard since 2016. You have to remove them for the session, period. Pack a contact case if you need them to read the visa application questions.
- Digital upload, not print. For the DS-160 you upload the photo directly into the online form. You only print a copy as backup in case the embassy can not retrieve your upload at the interview. Most third-country consulates have one or two photo terminals at the gate that can scan a fresh print if needed.
How we prepare your DS-160 photo
We shoot in square framing from the start so cropping does not waste face area. Studio session lasts 15 to 25 minutes. We deliver:
- One JPEG file optimised to 600 × 600 pixels and under 240 KB, ready to upload to the DS-160 system
- One JPEG file in higher resolution for archive
- 4 printed 50 × 50 copies (or 6 if you prefer extras for biometrics at the third-country consulate gate)
If the DS-160 upload rejects the file for any technical reason (DPI, dimensions, brightness), we re-deliver an adjusted version free of charge within 1 hour.
Pricing
Studio session, DS-160 digital file plus 4 prints: from 1 800 ₽ (about 21 USD or 19 EUR).
In-home or in-hotel session within Moscow: from 3 800 ₽ (about 45 USD or 40 EUR).
Same-day urgent service (DS-160 file delivered in under 1 hour from session): add 700 ₽ (about 8 USD or 7 EUR).
If your file gets rejected by the DS-160 system or at the consulate, we redo at no charge within 30 days. Many third-country consulates also accept retakes on the gate photo terminal,bring the printed copy as a fallback.
Where do Russian residents apply for US visas in 2026
This changes occasionally but as of mid-2026 the most-used consulates for Russia-based applicants are:
- Warsaw, Poland. Heavy queues but predictable schedule. Russian and English both work at the gate.
- Belgrade, Serbia. Faster availability for B1/B2 tourist visas. Direct flights from Moscow.
- Astana, Kazakhstan. Russian-language-friendly. Short queues for student visas.
- Yerevan, Armenia. The closest US consulate to Russia geographically. Quick to book but consular staff prefer English over Russian.
- Casablanca, Morocco. Used by Russian-resident expats who hold non-Russian passports and want to combine with vacation.
The photo file we deliver is identical for every one of these,the DS-160 standard is global.
Try our free online photo tool first
If you already have a high-quality selfie shot in good natural light, our free in-browser photo tool will crop it to a 50 × 50 square, remove the background, replace with white and export the DS-160-ready JPEG. Try it before booking a session,if the result looks clean, you save the appointment for another use.
FAQ
Can I use a passport photo I got in another country for the DS-160?
Only if it is square 2 × 2 inch (50 × 50 mm) format, in colour, under 6 months old, white background, no glasses. Most ID photos from Europe or Russia are 35 × 45,those do not fit the US format.
I wear hearing aids. Are they allowed in the photo?
Yes. Medical devices visible in normal life are allowed. Glasses are the only specific prohibition.
Does the DS-160 photo need a name printed on the back?
No. The DS-160 photo is uploaded digitally. If you bring a print to the consulate as backup, no name on the back is needed.
What about the supplemental DS-260 (immigrant visa) form?
Same photo standard as DS-160. Use the same JPEG.
My visa appointment is in 2 weeks. Can I get the photo done today?
Yes. Standard turnaround is same-day for the digital file. Print pickup is 1 to 2 hours.
I look quite different from my passport photo because of age. Will the consulate flag it?
Probably not. Consular officers see this constantly. The biometric system relies on fingerprints, not the photo, for re-identification. Provide a current likeness.
Related services
For other consulates that Russian residents commonly visit see Schengen visa photos 2026. For UK visa applications via the UAE or Turkey, see our general visa photo service for foreigners in Moscow. If you also need a portrait for the visa application support letters, see business portrait photography.
Book a session
Message +7 927 624-99-67 on WhatsApp or use the chat at the bottom of the page. Tell us your consulate (Warsaw, Belgrade, Astana, Yerevan or Casablanca) and appointment date. We deliver same-day in most cases.