Immigrant Visa Interview - Photographs FAQs
Photographs - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the photograph requirements?
Each applicant must submit two color photographs measuring 2 inches x 2 inches (5 cm x 5 cm) taken against a plain white background, and meeting the following requirements:
- The subject must directly face the camera.
- The image must show the top of the subject's head and hair to the middle of the chest.
- Headpieces customarily worn for religious reasons must be worn.
- The subject's eyes must be open and looking at the camera.
- The subject must wear any eyeglasses normally used. No glare may appear in the image.
- Nothing may obscure, or cause shadows on the eyes or any part of the face.
How do I ensure that the applicant’s image appears correctly?
Camera Location
The camera should be placed at the subject’s eye level and approximately 120cm (4ft) in front of the subject.
Distortion
A lens of about 105 mm focal length on a 35 mm film camera, or its equivalent on any other camera, will provide a focused field of view free of distortion.
Glare and "Red Eye"
Glare on eyeglasses is not acceptable. Eliminate glare by tilting the subject's head slightly downward. If this does not reduce the glare elevate the light source above the axis of the lens. Do not tilt the head by more than a few degrees. “Red Eye” is not acceptable. It is caused by reflection of photoflash light from the retina through the pupil of the eye, and can be reduced by elevating the photoflash or by using increased ambient light instead of flash.
Background
Use a plain wall or a photographer’s backdrop cloth as the background of the image. The background color may be white or off-white. Leave the background out of focus if possible so that minor markings or texture on the background are not apparent in the photo.
