Need clarification on photo requirements

[Texas22 50]

Hi All,

This may sound like a silly question but I'm a little confused as to the number of photos needed for the Visa application.

I am reading the packet 3 checklist from Montreal and it says that I have to submit 2 photos when I send in packet 3. I also know that I need 3 photos for the medical. Then do I also need another 2 photos to bring with me for the interview?

That would be a total of 7? Or just 5? I don't know, I'm confused. I have to get photos for myself and my two children.

Late nights, not much sleep, still waiting on NOA2 (146 days and counting) but trying to be as prepared as possible for the next step. I have everything done on the checklist except the photos and letter of intent from my fiance.

[pocheros 101]

Yes, 2 for packet 3, 3 for the medical exam, and 2 for the interview. There is a photo booth inside the American embassy if you need to take some emergency photos. Here are the photo requirements: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html#immigrant

Edited June 24, 2012 by pocheros

[Texas22 50]

Yes, 2 for packet 3, 3 for the medical exam, and 2 for the interview. There is a photo booth inside the American embassy if you need to take some emergency photos. Here are the photo requirements: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html#immigrant

Thank you for clarifying pocheros... Does each photo require the official time stamp from the passport place on the back?

Passport photos where I live cost $10 for 2.. If I need 7 for me and 7 for each of my children, that's going to add up $$ fast.

[pocheros 101]

I don't think the time stamps are required but they're good to have since technically your photos are supposed to be current within 6 months or something. I also recommend you print your case number on the back of each photo (just put your case number on everything, LOL!)

You can try using this website http://www.epassportphoto.com/ to save money. If you have a camera you can take photos and upload them, then tweak them on that website so they look right and then print them out somewhere cheap like a Kodak self serve kiosk at wal mart and cut them out.

Edited June 25, 2012 by pocheros

[toocool 0]

I did them myself and downloaded them onto the ds 160....then i printed them and i thought they were awesome, so i sent them in with packet 3. got a email back saying the background was too greyish.....yet the website states white or grey background is acceptable.....so I the next time I went and got them done at costco. be careful where you go though and ask to have them redone if you suspect the quality if off. I got my passports re-done this year and i thought the pictures were a tad dark but they were accepted by the passport office...the girl never questioned them.....well you should see my passport...really dark....i'm sure if these were the ones i submitted with my packet 3 they would have asked for additional.. I would not advise getting all 7 done at once....things happen and if you get an rfe or things delay you, the pictures could be too old....remember they are all date stamped on the back. I know its a pain....I;m doing the process with kids too.

[Texas22 50]

Thanks for the info toocool. I usually go to Shopper's Drug Mart, I have never had a problem with their quality for our passports before, so I will choose them again. They use a white background.

So it's okay if all the pictures are not the same?? If that is the case, then I can get 2 done as soon as I get the NOA2, then wait and get the remaining 5 done (3 for medical and 2 for interview) when I get the interview date?

Thanks for your help.

[Texas22 50]

I don't think the time stamps are required but they're good to have since technically your photos are supposed to be current within 6 months or something. I also recommend you print your case number on the back of each photo (just put your case number on everything, LOL!)

You can try using this website http://www.epassportphoto.com/ to save money. If you have a camera you can take photos and upload them, then tweak them on that website so they look right and then print them out somewhere cheap like a Kodak self serve kiosk at wal mart and cut them out.

Thanks pocheros.. I will likely pay the extra and do them at Shoppers Drug Mart. They even have the specifics for the U.S. Passport photos. I will just do them in stages as needed so it's not such a chunk of $$ all at one time.

[VeeNDee 44]

Thanks pocheros.. I will likely pay the extra and do them at Shoppers Drug Mart. They even have the specifics for the U.S. Passport photos. I will just do them in stages as needed so it's not such a chunk of $$ all at one time.

Ooo Shoppers Drug Mart has the specs for the US Passport photos too? I didn't realize that! Awesome-- I will probably go there when I get the next batch taken. Thanks so much

[Texas22 50]

Ooo Shoppers Drug Mart has the specs for the US Passport photos too? I didn't realize that! Awesome-- I will probably go there when I get the next batch taken. Thanks so much

Yes they do. I already inquired about it in April when I went to get my photo for my Canadian passport renewal. They do a good job there and it's $10 bucks!!

(But I wish $10 bucks would get me more than 2 pics... )

[Tom & Stacy 3]

Yes they do. I already inquired about it in April when I went to get my photo for my Canadian passport renewal. They do a good job there and it's $10 bucks!!

(But I wish $10 bucks would get me more than 2 pics... )

Does anyone know if all pics (2 medical, 3 interview) need to be U.S passport size? Or can they be Canadian passport size?

[Texas22 50]

Does anyone know if all pics (2 medical, 3 interview) need to be U.S passport size? Or can they be Canadian passport size?

These are the requirements for the printed photos:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html#immigrant'>http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html#immigrant

These are the requirements for the digital photos:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html

[pocheros 101]

All photos must be US passport-style. Most photo places can do US style photos. IIRC Costco has a pretty good deal on photos as well.