The US Department of State (DOS) recently issued a major change to the requirements for passport and visa photos. Effective November 1, 2016, applicants for US passports (both new and renewals) and visas must remove their eyeglasses for their document’s photo.

The new requirements are as follows:

• Photo must be printed on matte or glossy photo quality paper
• Photo must be 2-inches by 2-inches in size
• The size of the applicant’s head in the photo must measure 1 to 1-3/8 inches from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head
• Photo must be taken within six (6) months of application
• Glasses must be removed*
• Photo background must be white or off-white
• Applicant’s head must face directly to the camera with a neutral facial expression or a natural smile
• Photo must be in color
• Hats or head coverings must be removed**

*If glasses must be worn for medical reasons, a signed note from a physician must accompany the passport or visa application and photo.

**Head coverings worn daily for religious purposes may be left on for an applicant’s passport/visa photo.

The DOS hopes that this new requirement will help to eliminate delays in processing visa and passport applications, as it will eliminate glares and shadows, which can typically slow processing times.

For further information, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at: https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports/photos/photos.html