Blog topic

Photo Guides

Practical guidance for taking, editing, checking, and submitting compliant photos.

Service guideOct 3, 2026

What Is an E-Passport Photo? Biometric vs Digital Passport Photos

Understand e-passport, biometric and digital photos, U.S. RFID chip location evidence, and country-specific photo submission requirements.

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Special case guideSep 30, 2026

Why Was My DS-160 Photo Rejected? Upload Errors and Fixes

Learn why a DS-160 visa photo is rejected and how to fix file size, JPEG format, background, head position, and upload errors.

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Special case guideSep 21, 2026

Passport Photo Sizer: How to Resize a Photo Without Getting Rejected

Learn why correct outer dimensions are not enough and how head size, framing, resolution, and file size affect passport photo acceptance.

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Service guideSep 19, 2026

Passport Photo Printing Size: Paper, DPI, Layout and Print Settings

Print a U.S. passport photo at exactly 2×2 inches (51×51mm), at 300 DPI, on genuine photo-quality paper — either matte or glossy is accepted, but standard printer paper is not.

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How-to guideSep 19, 2026

Can You Take a Passport Photo With a Phone? Camera, Quality and Upload Rules

Yes — a phone photo is accepted for a passport application, as long as it's not a true selfie (someone else needs to hold the phone and photograph you, or you use a guided app that positions the camera correctly) and it meets the same technical requirements as any other passport.

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How-to guideSep 19, 2026

Where to Get a Digital Passport Photo and Printed Copies Together

Most in-store options (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, the post office) hand you printed copies but rarely a usable digital file by default — CVS charges an extra $3–4 for a digital copy, and most others don't offer one at all.

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