If you need a visa photo for the USA, Russia, or China but don’t have time to visit a photo studio, you can take it yourself. The key is to follow the specific requirements and use the right tools.
General Recommendations
To get a high-quality visa photo, follow these tips:
- Background: Stand close to a light-colored wall to minimize shadows.
- Lighting: Use natural light or multiple light sources to avoid harsh shadows.
- Hair: Keep hair away from your face, and ensure ears are visible.
- Clothing: Avoid wearing white to prevent blending into the background. Dark or contrasting colors are recommended.
- Gaze: Look straight into the camera, no smile, mouth closed.
Photos for Children and Infants
- The child must be alone in the frame, without any objects or hands of parents.
- Infant photos can be taken while lying on a white sheet or using a white backing in a car seat.
- The child’s eyes must be open, and their expression neutral. Play a cartoon on one phone behind you while taking the photo with another phone to keep their gaze directed towards the camera.
USA Visa
For a U.S. visa, use the official photo cropping tool provided by the U.S. government:
Go to the tool
Important! The background must not be edited or replaced using software—retouching is prohibited! Take the photo against a white background from the start.
| Parameters | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Size | 600 × 600 pixels |
| Background | White or light-colored (no editing) |
| Facial Expression | Neutral, eyes open |
| Glasses, Headwear | Not allowed (except for religious purposes) |
| Where to crop the photo (pre-edited white background, no payment needed) | Official U.S. Tool or FreePassPhoto (United States > United States Visa 2X2in) |
| Print Format | Glossy paper, 5 × 5 cm |
Visa application assistance for the USA:
USA Visa (Interview appointments available in: Australia, Austria, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Latvia, Malaysia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) – Apply
Russia Visa
You can also take a Russian visa photo at home, following these requirements.
| Parameters | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Background | White or light-colored |
| Face Position | 70-80% of the photo |
| Facial Expression | Neutral, eyes open |
| Glasses, Headwear | Not allowed (except for religious purposes) |
| Where to create a white background | Remove.bg (select white color) |
| Where to crop the photo (pre-edited white background, no payment needed) | FreePassPhoto (Russia > Russia Visa 35X45mm(3.5X4.5cm)) |
| Print Format | Glossy or Matte paper |
Visa application assistance for Russia:
Russia Visa (in Indonesia) – Apply
China Visa
For a Chinese visa, follow these specific requirements:
| Parameters | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Size | 33 × 48 mm |
| Background | Pure white |
| Face Position | 70-80% of the photo |
| Facial Expression | Neutral, eyes open |
| Glasses, Headwear | Not allowed |
| Where to create a white background | Remove.bg (select white color) |
| Where to crop the photo (pre-edited white background, no payment needed) | FreePassPhoto (China > China Visa Online 354×472 pixels & China Visa 33x48mm (3.3×4.8 cm)) |
| Print Format | Glossy or Matte paper |
Visa application assistance for China (on Bali):
Apply for a China Visa
Where to Print Your Photo?
If you need to print the photo, simply visit the nearest photo studio by searching on Google Maps:
Find a photo studio
How to send the photo for printing?
- Send the file to the photo studio via WhatsApp or email.
- Make sure to send the photo as a file, without compression, to maintain quality.
Summary
Taking a visa photo at home is possible if you follow the requirements and use online tools to process the image correctly. After preparing the photo, print it on high-quality paper:
- USA – Glossy paper only
- Russia and China – Glossy or Matte paper
Need help with your visa application? Get assistance here:
- USA Visa (Interview appointments available in: Australia, Austria, Cambodia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Latvia, Malaysia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam) – Apply
- Russia Visa (in Indonesia) – Apply
- China Visa (on Bali) – Apply