US Visa & Passport Photo Studio in Hong Kong
Official 2×2 Inch (51×51mm) Prints + DS-160 ≤240KB Digital File in 15–20 Mins
- 📐 Exact US Official Dimensions: Both US Visas (B1/B2, F1, J1, H-1B, K1) and US Passport Renewals (DS-82 / DS-11) require a 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) square photo on a pure white background, taken within the last 6 months with NO eyeglasses.
- 💻 DS-160 Digital File Included: Every HK$180 session at Studio Photobi HK includes physical 2×2" glossy prints PLUS a pre-calibrated 1:1 square JPEG (≤ 240 KB, 600×600 – 1200×1200 px, sRGB) ready to upload directly to CEAC DS-160.
- 📍 3 MTR-Side Studios (Minutes from 26 Garden Road): Our Wan Chai studio (3-min walk from Exit D) is a quick MTR/taxi hop to the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong in Central—also open daily 11:00–20:00 in Yau Ma Tei & Kwun Tong. (Book Online Now — HK$180 All-In ➔)
1. Official US Visa & US Passport Photo Requirements (Print & Digital)
The U.S. Department of State enforces identical biometric photo rules across non-immigrant visas (DS-160), immigrant visas (DS-260), Diversity Visa Lottery, and U.S. Passport applications (DS-82 / DS-11):
| Specification Item | Physical Print (For Consulate / Mail-In) | Digital File (CEAC DS-160 / Online Upload) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Dimensions | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) exact 1:1 square | 600 × 600 px min to 1200 × 1200 px max (1:1 square) |
| Head Height (Crown to Chin) | 1" to 1 3/8" (25 – 35 mm) | 50% to 69% of total image height |
| Eye Height (From Bottom) | 1 1/8" to 1 3/8" (28 – 35 mm) | 56% to 69% from bottom edge |
| File Format & Size | High-resolution photo-quality matte/glossy paper | JPEG (.jpg), sRGB 24-bit color, ≤ 240 KB |
| Background & Recency | Plain pure white or off-white background with zero shadows; taken within the last 6 months | |
2. DS-160 Digital Photo Upload Rules (≤ 240 KB) & Why Prints Still Matter
When completing your online Form DS-160 (Non-Immigrant Visa) on the U.S. State Department CEAC portal, an automated biometric quality validator checks your JPEG before you can sign and submit:
Exact 1:1 Square Pixel Ratio & ≤ 240 KB File Cap
Your digital photo must have equal width and height—minimum 600 × 600 pixels up to 1200 × 1200 pixels—saved in sRGB 24-bit JPEG (.jpg) format at 240 KB or under without blocky compression artifacts. Every Studio Photobi HK session emails you a pre-calibrated DS-160 JPEG ready for instant upload.
Why You Must Still Bring Physical 2×2" Prints to 26 Garden Road
Even after CEAC accepts your digital upload, the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau (26 Garden Road, Central) strongly advises bringing at least one physical 2×2 inch print to your in-person interview—and two prints are mandatory for Interview Waiver (Drop-Box) renewals and U.S. Passport renewals (DS-82 / DS-11).
3. Strict Do's & Don'ts: Eyeglasses, Attire, Retouching & Infants
Since November 2016, eyeglasses are banned in all U.S. visa and passport photos (even clear anti-glare frames). Colored or pupil-enlarging ("circle") contact lenses must also be removed so your natural iris is unaltered.
Avoid white or very pale shirts that blend into the pure white background, and avoid military/airline/camouflage uniforms. Need a smart collar or blazer? Our studios offer HK$30 suit/shirt rental and a free hair-styling bar.
Face the camera squarely with a neutral expression or soft closed-mouth expression and keep bangs clear of your eyebrows and eyes. AI beauty filters cause instant consular rejection—our retouchers perform subtle, compliant blemish/flyaway cleanup while 100% preserving permanent moles, scars, and facial bone structure.
For U.S. Citizen newborns (CRBA / DS-11 at 26 Garden Road) or child visas, no other person's hands, toys, or pacifiers may appear in the frame. Our experienced photographers capture compliant shadow-free infant 2×2" portraits quickly and gently.
4. US Visa (B1/B2, F1, H-1B) vs. US Citizen Passport Renewal in Hong Kong
Whether you are a Hong Kong/expat resident applying for a U.S. visa or an American citizen renewing your blue passport at 26 Garden Road, Central, our single HK$180 US 2×2" package covers both:
- U.S. Non-Immigrant & Immigrant Visas: Tourist/Business (
B1/B2), Student/Exchange (F-1 / M-1 / J-1), Work/Transfer (H-1B / L-1 / O-1 / E-2), Domestic Helper (B-1), Fiancé(e)/Spouse (K-1 / CR-1 / IR-1), and DV Green Card Lottery. (Reading Chinese? See our Cantonese Step-by-Step HK US Visa & DS-160 Guide.) - U.S. Citizen Services (ACS Hong Kong & Macau): Adult U.S. Passport Renewal by mail/drop-off (
Form DS-82), Child/First-Time U.S. Passport (Form DS-11), Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), and Global Entry / Green Card (I-90) renewals.
5. Studio Photobi HK (HK$180) vs. DIY Smartphone Apps & MTR Booths
| Feature | Studio Photobi HK (HK$180) | DIY Phone Apps / Home Wall | MTR / Mall Photo Booths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shadow-Free White Background | ✓ Studio Multi-Strobe Zero neck/ear shadows or AI halo edges | ✕ High Rejection Risk Uneven room lighting & harsh AI cutout halos | △ Mixed Flat harsh flash, often slightly gray/warm tint |
| DS-160 ≤240KB Digital + 2×2" Prints | ✓ Both Included Glossy 2×2" prints + exact ≤240KB sRGB JPEG | ✕ Digital Only Extra hassle finding accurate 2×2" printing in HK | ✕ Mostly 35×45mm/40×50mm Rarely calibrated to U.S. 2×2" + ≤240KB |
| 1-on-1 Compliant Retouching & Styling | ✓ Live 1-on-1 Editor Free hair bar + HK$30 blazer rental | ✕ None / Risky AI Over-smoothing triggers biometric rejection | ✕ Zero Retouching Take-it-or-leave-it automated shutter |
| Turnaround & Pass Guarantee | ✓ 15–20 Mins 100% Free Re-shoot Guarantee if ever queried | Self-service (no refund if rejected at 26 Garden Rd) | 5 mins (no consular compliance guarantee) |
6. Our 3 Official Hong Kong Studios (Wan Chai · Yau Ma Tei · Kwun Tong)
All three branches speak English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, and are steps from MTR exits. Heading to an interview at 26 Garden Road, Central? Our Wan Chai branch is just 1 MTR stop (Admiralty) or a 6-minute taxi ride away:
📍 Wan Chai Studio (HK Island)
Address: 16/F, Weswick Commercial Building, 147-149 Queen's Road East, Wan Chai (灣仔皇后大道東147-149號威利商業大廈16樓 — 3-min walk from Wan Chai MTR Exit D, next to Hopewell Centre)
Tel / WhatsApp: 9445 8066
Hours: Mon – Sun 11:00 – 20:00
📍 Yau Ma Tei Studio (Kowloon)
Address: 10/F (Full Floor), On Lee Building, 545 Nathan Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon (九龍彌敦道545號安利大廈10樓全層 — right next to Yau Ma Tei MTR Exit A1)
Tel / WhatsApp: 9665 8066
Hours: Mon – Sun 11:00 – 20:00
📍 Kwun Tong Studio (Kowloon East)
Address: Room B3, 5/F, Lladro Centre, 72-80 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong (觀塘開源道72-80號溢財中心5樓B3室 — 2-min walk from Kwun Tong MTR Exit B1, main lobby & carpark access)
Tel / WhatsApp: 9665 3223
Hours: Mon – Sun 11:00 – 20:00
7. Frequently Asked Questions — US Visa & US Passport Photos in HK
B1/B2, F-1, J-1, H-1B, K-1) and U.S. passports require a 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) square color photo on a plain white background, taken within the last 6 months without eyeglasses. For CEAC DS-160 online upload, the digital file must be a 1:1 square JPEG between 600 × 600 and 1200 × 1200 pixels, sRGB color space, and 240 KB or less.