US Territory Compliance Guide · Updated May 2026
American Samoa Visa Photo Requirements 2026: The Complete Official Guide
Last updated: May 3, 2026
Checked against US Department of State, CEAC/DS-160 portal, and US visa photo guidelines for American Samoa
Quick answer: American Samoa follows US visa photo requirements. The size is 2 inches × 2 inches (51 mm × 51 mm) — a square format. Your face from chin to crown must occupy 50–69% of the frame height (approximately 25–35 mm). For online applications via the CEAC/DS-160 portal, submit a JPEG file under 2 MB. The background must be plain white or off-white — uniform and shadow-free. Glasses may be worn if thin-framed and glare-free, but removal is safer. No digital retouching is allowed.
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Quick reference: American Samoa visa photo specifications
Before submitting your application via the CEAC/DS-160 portal or at a US embassy/consulate (for American Samoa travel), ensure your photo meets every parameter in this table.
| Specification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 2 inches × 2 inches (51 mm × 51 mm) — square format |
| Face height (chin to crown) | 25–35 mm (50–69% of frame height) |
| Digital format (online) | JPEG (.jpg / .jpeg) |
| Digital file size | Under 2 MB (recommended) |
| Minimum DPI (print) | 300 DPI |
| Background | Plain white or off-white (uniform, shadow-free) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at lens |
| Glasses | Permitted if frames are thin and lenses cause no glare |
| Recency | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Colour | Full colour — no black & white or sepia |
| Quantity (paper) | 1 photo (attached to application form) |
| Retouching | Not permitted in any form |
Official American Samoa visa photo dimensions
American Samoa follows US visa photo requirements. Photos must be exactly 2 inches wide and 2 inches high (51 mm × 51 mm) — a square format. Your face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head (crown) must occupy between 50% and 69% of the total photo height, which corresponds to approximately 25–35 mm. This is different from the 70–80% required for Schengen visas. The face must be centred within the frame both horizontally and vertically.
Important Note
American Samoa uses the US 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) square photo format.Do not use a rectangular 35 × 45 mm photo (Schengen format). Also note the face proportion requirement (50–69%) is different from Schengen standards.
For online submissions via the CEAC/DS-160 portal, the minimum recommended resolution is 600 × 600 pixels. Aim for 900 × 900 pixels or higher for best results, ensuring the JPEG file stays under 2 MB. For print submissions, a minimum of 300 DPI is required.
American Samoa visa photo size in mm, cm, inches, and pixels
| Unit | Width | Height | Face height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inches (official) | 2 in | 2 in | 1.0–1.4 in |
| Millimetres (mm) | 51 mm | 51 mm | 25–35 mm |
| Centimetres (cm) | 5.1 cm | 5.1 cm | 2.5–3.5 cm |
| Pixels (minimum recommended) | 600 px | 600 px | ~50–69% of height |
| Pixels (ideal) | 900+ px | 900+ px | ~50–69% of height |
Print vs. digital: what changes between paper and online applications?
If you apply online for a US visa (required for American Samoa travel for most nationalities), you upload a single digital JPEG file as part of your DS-160 form via the CEAC portal. If you apply through a US embassy or consulate with a paper application, you will typically be required to attach one printed photo to your application form. The face position, expression, and background rules are identical for both — only the output format differs.
| Aspect | Print (embassy / consulate) | Digital (CEAC/DS-160) |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) — square | Same proportions; JPEG under 2 MB |
| Format | Colour print on photo paper | JPEG (.jpg / .jpeg) |
| File size | N/A | Under 2 MB (recommended) |
| Quantity | 1 photo attached to application form | 1 file upload via CEAC or DS-160 portal |
| Paper type | Glossy or matte photo paper | N/A |
| Background | Plain white or off-white, shadow-free | Plain white or off-white, shadow-free |
Background requirements for American Samoa visa photos
The background must be plain white or off-white — uniform in colour with no shadows, patterns, textures, gradients, or objects visible. The background must clearly contrast with your hair, face, and clothing.
Do not use a background removal tool to digitally replace a coloured wall with white. US visa processing can detect composite images. Shoot in front of a genuinely plain, light-coloured surface.
Face position, expression, and lighting requirements
Your face must be centred in the frame, looking directly at the camera lens with your head level and upright — not tilted, not turned. Both sides of your face must be equally visible. Hair must not cover your eyes, eyebrows, or the edges of your face. Your eyes must be fully open and directed at the lens. Your mouth must be closed with a neutral, relaxed expression — no smile, no frown.
Lighting must be even and diffused across the entire face. No harsh shadows should appear on your face or on the background. Avoid direct flash, which creates harsh highlights, red-eye, and background shadows.
Glasses policy for American Samoa visa photos
Glasses are permitted in US/American Samoa visa photos, but with strict conditions. Frames must be thin and must not cover any part of your eyes. Lenses must be completely free of glare, reflections, or shadows. Because these conditions are difficult to achieve, it is much safer to remove your glasses for the photo.
Sunglasses, tinted lenses, and thick fashion frames are never permitted.
American Samoa visa photo checklist: do's and don'ts
Review these requirements carefully before uploading to the CEAC/DS-160 portal.
Do
- Use a plain white or off-white background that is evenly lit and free of shadows, patterns, or textures
- Ensure your face is centred, forward-facing, and fully visible from chin to crown
- Keep your eyes fully open and looking directly at the camera lens
- Maintain a neutral, relaxed expression with your mouth closed
- Use even, diffused lighting with no shadows on your face or background
- Ensure your full face is visible with no hair covering your eyes
- Submit a JPEG file under 2 MB for online submissions
- Have the photo taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
- Wear everyday clothing that contrasts well with the background
- Keep a natural skin tone without altering makeup or retouching
Don't
- Smile, frown, tilt or turn your head, or allow your eyes to be partially closed
- Use a coloured, patterned, textured, or dark background — only white/off-white is accepted
- Retouch, filter, adjust brightness/contrast, or digitally alter the photo in any way
- Submit a scanned photo or a picture of a printed photo
- Upload a JPEG file above 2 MB to the online portal
- Wear hats, caps, or fashion headwear (religious head coverings permitted with conditions)
- Allow hair, large jewellery, or accessories to cover your eyes or face
- Use a photo older than 6 months
- Use a black-and-white, sepia, or heavily compressed image
- Wear glasses with thick frames or that cause glare/reflections on the lenses
How to take a correct American Samoa visa photo at home (step-by-step)
Following these six steps will produce a photo that meets US/American Samoa visa requirements.
Set up a plain white or off-white background
Stand or sit in front of a plain white or off-white wall or surface. The background must be shadow-free with no patterns, textures, or objects. If you do not have a suitable wall, hang a plain white sheet without wrinkles. Avoid coloured or dark backgrounds.
Set up balanced, diffused lighting
Use natural daylight from a large window, or two balanced artificial lights at equal height and distance on either side of your face. Avoid direct flash, which creates harsh highlights, red-eye, and shadows. Soft, even lighting is crucial for a uniform background and a well-lit face.
Position your head and body correctly
Face the camera directly with your head level and upright — not tilted, not turned. Your chin should be neither raised nor lowered. Both sides of your face should be equally visible. Your shoulders and the base of your neck should appear at the bottom of the frame. Position yourself approximately 45–60 cm from the camera.
Take the photo
Open your eyes fully and look directly into the lens. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed — no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. If you wear glasses, consider removing them to avoid glare, or ensure they have thin frames and tilt them slightly. Ask someone else to take the photo for better framing.
Crop and size the image
For paper submissions, crop to exactly 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) at 300 DPI minimum. For online submissions via the CEAC/DS-160 portal, export as a JPEG file under 2 MB. Ensure the photo remains perfectly square. The face should occupy 50–69% of the frame height.
Check before submitting
Verify the background is plain white/off-white and shadow-free, eyes are fully open with a neutral expression, the face occupies 50–69% of the 2×2 inch square frame, hair does not obscure the face, and the JPEG file is under 2 MB before submitting.
Common American Samoa visa photo rejection reasons in 2026
The CEAC/DS-160 portal and US embassy/consulate processing check biometric compliance, image quality, and file specifications.
Incorrect photo dimensions (not square)
American Samoa follows US visa photo requirements: 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) square format. Using a rectangular 35 × 45 mm photo (common for Schengen) will be rejected. Ensure your photo is perfectly square.
Incorrect background colour or shadows
American Samoa requires a plain white or off-white background — not cream, light grey, or beige. Any shadows, patterns, textures, or dark backgrounds will lead to rejection.
Face proportion out of range
Your face from chin to crown must occupy 50–69% of the 2 × 2 inch photo height (approximately 25–35 mm). This is different from the 70–80% required for Schengen visas. A face that is too small or too large will be rejected.
Non-neutral expression or head position
Smiling, open mouth, tilted head, head turned to the side, raised eyebrows, or partially closed eyes will cause rejection. Your head must be level and upright with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
Glasses causing glare or with thick frames
While glasses are permitted, they frequently cause rejection if the frames are too thick or if there is glare, reflections, or shadows from the lenses. It is often safer to remove glasses for the photo.
File size or format incorrect
The CEAC/DS-160 portal requires a JPEG file under 2 MB. Files larger than this will be rejected.
Photo older than 6 months
The photo must be recent (taken within the last 6 months) and reflect your current appearance. Older photos will be rejected.
Hair or accessories obscuring the face
Hair covering the forehead, eyebrows, or eyes, and large earrings or accessories casting shadows on the face, are common causes of rejection.
American Samoa visa photo requirements for babies and children
Children of all ages, including newborns, must have their own separate visa photo.
For very young infants who cannot support their own head, lay them on a plain white or off-white sheet on a flat surface and photograph from directly above.
Religious head coverings in American Samoa visa photos
Religious head coverings are permitted provided they are worn daily for religious reasons and your full face remains clearly visible.
Fashion hats, caps, and decorative headwear are not permitted.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions: American Samoa visa photo 2026
What is the American Samoa visa photo size requirement in 2026?
American Samoa follows US visa photo requirements. The photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches (51 mm × 51 mm) — a square format. Your face from chin to crown must occupy 50–69% of the photo height (approximately 25–35 mm). The background must be plain white or off-white. For online applications via CEAC/DS-160, submit a JPEG file under 2 MB.
What is the American Samoa visa photo size in pixels?
The CEAC/DS-160 portal recommends a minimum resolution of 600 × 600 pixels. Aim for 900 × 900 pixels or higher for best results, ensuring the JPEG file stays under 2 MB. The photo must remain square.
What is the American Samoa visa photo size in cm and inches?
The photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches. In centimetres, that is approximately 5.1 cm wide by 5.1 cm high — a perfect square. The face from chin to crown must occupy approximately 2.5–3.5 cm (50–69% of the height).
What colour must the background be for an American Samoa visa photo?
The background must be plain white or off-white — uniform and evenly lit with no shadows, patterns, or textures. Dark or coloured backgrounds are not accepted.
Can I wear glasses in an American Samoa visa photo?
Yes, glasses are generally permitted for US/American Samoa visa photos. Frames must be thin and not cover any part of the eyes. Lenses must be completely glare-free with no reflections. It is often safer to remove glasses to avoid rejection.
Can I smile in an American Samoa visa photo?
No. You must maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes fully open. Smiling, frowning, raised eyebrows, head tilt, and any non-neutral expression will cause your photo to be rejected.
How recent must an American Samoa visa photo be?
The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months and must accurately reflect your current appearance. Photos that are older will be rejected.
What is the file size limit for American Samoa visa online photo upload?
The CEAC/DS-160 online portal requires JPEG files under 2 MB. Files larger than this may cause upload issues. Aim for a file between 100 KB and 2 MB for best results.
Is the American Samoa visa photo different from mainland US visa photos?
No. American Samoa follows the exact same US visa photo requirements as the mainland United States. The specifications are identical: 2×2 inches, white/off-white background, face 50–69% of frame.
Can I retouch or edit my American Samoa visa photo?
No. Any form of digital retouching or editing is prohibited. This includes skin smoothing, blemish removal, background replacement, and brightness or contrast adjustments. The submitted file must be the original, unaltered digital capture.
What should I wear for an American Samoa visa photo?
Wear everyday clothing that clearly contrasts with the white/off-white background. Avoid white or very pale tops that blend with the background. Do not wear uniforms, costumes, or anything that obscures the face or neck. Religious dress is permitted if the full face remains visible.
Are religious head coverings allowed in an American Samoa visa photo?
Yes, provided the covering is worn daily for religious reasons and your full face from chin to crown remains clearly visible. The covering must not cast shadows, and both side edges of the face must be visible.
What are the American Samoa visa photo requirements for babies and children?
Children of all ages, including newborns, must have their own separate visa photo. For infants who cannot support their head, lay them on a plain white/off-white sheet on a flat surface and photograph from directly above. All standard requirements apply, with some flexibility on expression for very young infants.
Should an American Samoa visa photo be matte or glossy?
For paper submissions, either matte or glossy photo paper is acceptable. For digital submissions via CEAC/DS-160, paper finish is irrelevant. Ensure printed photos are on high-quality photo paper.
Can I use a photo taken on my phone for an American Samoa visa?
Yes, provided the photo meets all requirements: plain white/off-white background, neutral expression, face occupying 50–69% of the 2×2 inch square frame, JPEG format under 2 MB. Have a second person take the photo for better framing.
Do I need a visa to travel to American Samoa?
American Samoa is a US territory. However, it has a unique immigration system separate from the US mainland. While US citizens and permanent residents can enter freely, most foreign nationals require an entry permit or US visa. Always check the specific entry requirements for your nationality before traveling to American Samoa.
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