Visa Services

Photo Requirements for Visa & Passport Processing

In order to safeguard the travelling public and utilize the latest biometric identification techniques, all applicants for American visas and passports must present one photograph that exactly meets the following specifications:

• White or off-white background
  
  
• 2 inches x 2 inches or 5cm x 5cm
  
  
• High-quality, un-mounted, color photograph. (Digital photographs must be of sufficiently high resolution that the pixels are not visible.)
  
  
• Taken within the past 6 months
  
  
• Full face, showing the entire, uncovered head. A "full face" photo is one in which the applicant is facing the camera directly. The applicant should not be looking down or to either side. Applicants who wear a head covering or hat for religious reasons may continue to do so, but only if that head covering does not obscure any portion of the face. Hairline (forehead) and ears MUST be visible.
  
  
• The head must be centered in the frame. The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure between 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm to 35 mm) with the eye level between 1 1/8 inch to 1 3/8 inches (28 mm and 35 mm) from the bottom of the photo.
  
  
• The photo must be stapled or glued to the DS-156 Application. If stapled, the staples should be placed as far away as possible from the applicant’s face.
  
  
• Sunglasses, eyeglasses or other paraphernalia, which would detract from the face, are not acceptable.
  
  
• Photos of members of the military, airline employees or other personnel wearing hats are not acceptable.
  
  
• Digitally altered photographs are not acceptable. (This includes alterations of color or pattern in the background of the picture. Photographs that are out-of-focus, airbrushed or otherwise substandard will not be accepted.)
  
  
• Group photos are not acceptable.

Doha Locations for Visa Photos

If you require new visa photographs, the following are two shops that provide this service. Please ensure you tell the photographer that the photos are for your American Visa application. This information is being provided to assist you in obtaining the correct photos only. We are not recommending either location.

Image Arts
Ramada Traffic Lights
Next to Chili's Restaurant
Tel: 436-0233, 436-0239 Or 432-0594
Hours of Operation: Saturday to Thursday - 8 am to 10 am, Friday - 4 pm to 10 pm only

Photo Imaging
City Center Mall, 1st Floor
Opposite The Home Center
Tel: 483-9522, 483-9523
Hours of Operation: Saturday to Thursday - 10 am to 10 pm, Friday - 4 pm to 10 pm only

Fuji Studio
Landmark Mall
Tel: 487-5077
Hours of Operation: Saturday to Thursday 9:00 am - 10:00 pm, Friday - 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm

• Go back to Get the forms
• Next: Pay the fee