Step 2 of 5 · Photo
Add your photo
A phone photo against any wall is fine. Someone else holds the phone, or use the timer.
This file can't be read as a photo. Choose a JPEG, PNG or HEIC straight from the camera.
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Drag a photo here
JPEG, PNG or HEIC, straight from the camera
Or take it with your phone
Scan to open this step on your phone, where the camera is.
The check runs on this device. Your photo is uploaded only when you continue to checkout.
Step 3 of 5 · Check
Preparing your photo
A few seconds. Your photo stays on this device.
- Reading the file
- Finding the face one face
- Making the background plain white
- Sizing for the DS-160 600×600, JPEG
- Checking the finished photo head, eyes, light, file
Step 3 of 5 · Result
Initial check passed
After checkout an expert verifies it, within 12 hours.
Retake needed
No face was found in the photo. Face the camera with your whole head in the picture, and take it again.
There is more than one face in the photo. Take it again with only you in the picture, and nothing with a face on the wall behind you.
The top of your head is cut off by the edge of the photo. Step back so there is space above your hair, and take it again.
Your head fills the picture, so it cannot be framed for the DS-160. Step back until your shoulders are in the picture, with space above your hair, and take it again.
Your head is too near the side of the photo to be centred for the DS-160. Stand in the middle of the picture, and take it again.
The photo is too small for the DS-160: your head and shoulders cover fewer than 600 pixels. Move closer, use the phone's main camera, and take it again.
Your head is turned to the side. Face the camera straight on, and take it again.
Your head is tilted. Hold it straight, with both eyes level, and take it again.
Your head is tipped up or down. Hold the phone at eye level, look straight into it, and take it again.
Your eyes are closed. Keep them open, look at the camera, and take it again.
Your mouth is open. The DS-160 asks for a neutral expression with the mouth closed. Take it again.
There is a shadow across your face. Face a window so the light falls evenly on both sides, and take it again.
The photo is too dark. Face a window, in daylight, and take it again.
The colours are off: your skin looks tinted. Turn off any filter and take it again in daylight.
Your eyes show red from the flash. Turn the flash off, face a window, and take it again.
We couldn't separate you from what is behind you. Stand a step in front of the wall, in a top of a different colour from it, and take it again.
Your head could not be framed for the DS-160 with your eyes at the right height. Step back, hold the phone at eye level, and take it again.
- Face One face, facing the camera, eyes open, mouth closed One face, facing the camera, eyes open, mouth closed · required Checked once the photo can be read Passed Failed Not checked
- Head height % of the frame · 50–69% required Cannot be framed · 50–69% of the frame required Measured once the face is clear Passed Failed Not checked
- Eye line % from the bottom · 56–69% required Outside the range · 56–69% from the bottom required Measured once the head fits the frame Passed Failed Not checked
- Background Made plain white · white or off-white required Could not be separated from you · white or off-white required Made plain once the head fits the frame Passed Failed Not checked
- Light and shadows Even, no shadow on the face Uneven, dark or tinted · even light required Checked once the face is clear Passed Failed Not checked
- File 600×600 JPEG, KB · 240 KB or less required MP, colour · enough for 600 px Too few pixels · 600×600 required Checked once the photo can be read Passed Failed Not checked
The sized JPEG at once, the expert's verification by email. Accepted, or your money back.
Your photo is uploaded when you continue, so the expert can see it.
Retake as many times as you need. There is no checkout for a photo that fails.