Guides

12 Reasons Your Visa or Passport Photo Is Rejected

A rejected photo can delay a visa by weeks or, in the DV Lottery, disqualify you without notice. It almost always fails for the same reasons, and nearly all of them can be checked at home before you submit. These are the twelve most common ones and how to avoid them.

1. The size isn’t the one they ask for

Every application has its own size: 2 × 2 in for the United States, 35 × 45 mm for the Schengen area and the UK, 33 × 48 mm for China, 3 × 4 cm for Colombia or 4 × 6 cm for Vietnam. A “close enough” photo won’t do. Pick the exact application in the passport photo maker and the photo comes out in the official size.

2. The file is too big

Online portals cap the file size: 240 KB for US visas and the DV Lottery, 300 KB for Colombia, 200 KB for the OCI card. Phone photos are 2 to 5 MB, so the portal rejects them. Shrink the file without changing its dimensions with compress to 200 KB or to 100 KB.

3. The head is too big or too small

Most countries set the head height, from chin to crown. For a US visa it must take up 50% to 69% of the photo’s height. A close-up selfie usually makes the head too big. The guide lines on each page show where the chin and the top of the head go.

4. The background isn’t plain and light

Shadows, a yellow wall, a door or a picture behind you will get the photo rejected. Stand a step away from a white or light wall with light in front of you. For applications that allow background edits, the “White background (AI)” option cleans it up; for passports it’s safer to shoot in front of a real white wall.

5. Shadows on the face

An overhead lamp or a window to one side leaves half of the face dark. The best light is soft and in front of you, like a window facing you on a cloudy day.

6. Glasses

The United States, India, Vietnam and many other countries no longer accept glasses in the photo, even prescription ones. Even where they’re allowed, glare causes rejections. The safest choice is to take them off.

7. Retouching or filters

Beauty filters, skin smoothing or reshaping the face are not allowed for almost any document. Only adjust brightness and contrast, and keep it natural.

8. The photo is old

Most authorities ask for a photo from the last six months, and the DV Lottery disqualifies photos reused from previous years. Take a new one for each application.

9. Expression or pose

You need a neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and the head straight, not turned or tilted. Look straight into the camera.

10. Hats, headphones or hair over the face

Hats, caps and headphones aren’t allowed, except religious headwear that doesn’t cover the face. Hair must not cover the eyes or eyebrows.

11. A blurry or pixelated photo

A photo enlarged from a screenshot or taken in low light comes out noisy. Use your phone’s rear camera, in good light, from a meter or more away.

12. The wrong file format

Portals ask for JPG. iPhone photos are HEIC and many screenshots are PNG or WebP. Convert them with HEIC to JPG or PNG to JPG before uploading.

Always check the official source

Every FotoClara page links to the official source of its measurements. Requirements change, so before you submit, check the website of the consulate or agency that issues your document.

Last updated: 2026-10-21