US Visa
2x2 vs 35x45 Photo: Which Passport or Visa Size Do You Need?
Compare 2x2 inch and 35x45mm document photos. Learn which size fits US passport, US visa, Schengen, UK-style, Canada visa, and other applications before uploading.
Last updated Oct 9, 2026
Verified against the official source · Oct 8, 20262x2 and 35x45 Are Not Interchangeable
Many applicants upload the wrong file because both formats look like simple head-and-shoulders portraits. The frame shape, head size, and export dimensions are different enough to cause immediate rejection.
- 2x2 inch photos are square and common for U.S. passport and visa-style flows.
- 35x45mm photos are taller portraits used by Schengen, UK-style, Canada visa, and many ICAO workflows.
- A correct face crop in one size may be off-spec in the other.
Choose the Checker by Document Type
The safest workflow is to pick the exact document first, then let the checker apply that document's crop, head-height range, background, DPI, and file-size rules.
Photo Examples
Pass example
Correct photo
Common rejection risk
Incorrect photo
Real 2x2 vs 35x45 Photo Rejection Data
35.5% of 2x2 vs 35x45 Photo photos were rejected on first submission, based on 543 checks run through VisaPhotoCheck.
Most common reasons a rejected photo failed
- Crop or framing39%
- Accessories (glasses, hats, headphones)29%
- Lighting or shadows12%
- Resolution11%
- Head pose or angle8%
- Expression6%
- Photo authenticity5%
- sharpness2%
- Background1%
Each figure is the share of rejected 2x2 vs 35x45 Photo photos that failed that specific check. A single rejection often fails more than one check, so these do not add up to 100%.
Based on VisaPhotoCheck's own 2x2 vs 35x45 Photo submissions — this reflects our users, not an official or industry-wide rejection rate.
DS-160 help center
Solve the exact US visa photo problem
Use the focused guide that matches what CEAC is asking you to fix. All four pages use the same current US visa photo profile.
US visa photo checker
The main 600×600px DS-160 checker and corrected-photo workflow.
DS-160 photo requirements
Official dimensions, head size, background, glasses, and JPEG rules.
Fix a DS-160 upload error
Troubleshoot CEAC rejections before returning to the application.
Compress below 240KB
Reduce file size after cropping without damaging facial detail.
Complete CEAC rejection guide
Diagnose each “photo does not meet requirements” message step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Document Requirements
US Visa (DS-160)
Online US visa photo tool: check your photo free, then get a 600x600px DS-160 JPEG at 240KB or less with a plain backgro...
DS-160 Photo
Free DS-160 photo checker for U.S. visa applications. Validate your 600x600px photo against CEAC upload rules, including...
B1/B2 Visa Photo
Free B1/B2 visa photo checker for U.S. visitor visa applicants. Instantly validate your digital photo for DS-160 upload ...
F1 Visa Photo
Free F1 student visa photo checker. Make sure your U.S. F1 visa photo meets DS-160 rules for size, background, expressio...
US Passport
US passport photo requirements from the State Department: 2x2 inches, head 1 to 1 3/8 inches, plain white or off-white b...
US Green Card Lottery (DV)
DV lottery photo rules quoted from the State Department: a 600x600px square JPEG under 240KB, head 50–69% and eyes 56–69...
Global Entry Photo
You do not bring a photo for Global Entry: the CBP officer takes it at your enrollment interview. Here is what CBP says.
USCIS Photo
USCIS photo requirements for Green Card (I-485), EAD (I-765), Naturalization (N-400) and I-130: 2×2 inches, white to off...