# ESTA Photo Maker

Country: United States

Document: ESTA (Visa Waiver)

Page language: en

Page: [ESTA Photo Maker](https://onedollarpassportphoto.com/us/esta/)

Requirements last verified: 2026-07-30

Capture advisory: Use a new photo, not the one in your passport — CBP cancels the application if the selfie matches your passport image. Also note that as of July 2026 the ESTA website still accepts an uploaded photo, but CBP has said it intends to move to app-only capture, where you take the photo live in the app.

## Photo specifications

These are document-specific values from the page data. Printed and digital requirements may apply to different application routes; consult the guide and sources below.

| Requirement | Value |
|---|---|
| Digital file format | JPG, JPEG or PNG |

## Size chosen by this tool

CBP publishes no photo size, head ratio or resolution for the ESTA selfie. It sets composition rules — background, expression, framing — but no dimensions, because this is a digital face image, not a printed document photo.

Tool output dimensions: 51 × 51 mm. This is not a published government size requirement.

We use 51 × 51 mm (the US passport frame) so the file uploads cleanly to the ESTA portal and still prints on a standard 4×6 sheet if you want a copy. CBP does not require this size, and no size will be checked.

## Appearance and composition

- Background: Plain white or off-white background with no shadows, texture, or lines
- Expression: Neutral expression with both eyes open, facing the camera directly
- Glasses: Not permitted.
- Even lighting; no harsh shadows.
- Filters, beauty modes and retouching are forbidden.
- Color photo.
- Head coverings are permitted for religious reasons; check the source for conditions.
- Uniforms are restricted; check the source for exceptions.
- No earphones or wireless devices.

## Common rejection reasons

### Reusing the photo from your passport

The selfie must be different than the photo in your passport, and must be an original photo rather than a screenshot or photocopy. CBP is explicit about the consequence: "If you submit the same photo, the application will be canceled." This is the one ESTA rule with no equivalent on any other US document photo — everywhere else, reusing a compliant photo is fine.

What to do: Take a fresh photo. The passport biographical page is a separate, second upload in the ESTA flow — do not use one for the other.

### Unsupported file type

The ESTA upload screen guarantees three formats: PNG, JPG and JPEG. Apple devices save photos as HEIC by default, which is on none of CBP's lists — so the file either fails to upload or cannot be selected at all.

What to do: Upload a JPG or PNG. On iPhone you can switch Settings › Camera › Formats to Most Compatible, which saves as JPG.

### Background is not plain white

The background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows, texture, or lines behind you.

What to do: Stand in front of a plain wall, or use our automatic background replacement.

### Wearing glasses

CBP asks you to remove your glasses to prevent glare, and lists glare as one of its automated image-quality failures. Sunglasses, hats and masks are not allowed at all.

What to do: Take the photo without glasses.

### More than head and shoulders in frame

The photo must show head and shoulders only, facing the camera directly. Full-body shots, group photos, and cropped-in-too-far images fail the guided upload check.

What to do: Frame from the top of your head to your upper chest.

### Filters or edited photo

The selfie must be an original photo with no filters or major editing, and must not be a screenshot or photocopy.

What to do: Use an unedited photo straight from the camera.

### Blurry, dark, or low-resolution photo

The ESTA portal runs automated image-quality checks and names its failures directly: glare present, not in focus, image resolution too low, image is colorless, image is distorted, partial image captured. CBP publishes no minimum resolution number, only this check.

What to do: Use good, even lighting and hold the camera steady. A modern phone camera clears the resolution check comfortably.

### Face obscured or eyes closed

The face must be fully visible with both eyes open and a neutral expression. Hair across the face, shadows, and squinting all cause failures.

What to do: Pull hair back from your face and use even, front-facing light.

## Source for the document requirements

[Source linked by the document page](https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/)

The complete guide below includes additional sources and application-specific qualifications when available.

## Create a photo with One Dollar Passport Photo

The service sizes, crops and checks a photo for the selected document. Its output settings are service choices, not additional government requirements.

- Digital photo download: $1 USD.
- Print-ready sheet download: $5 USD. Printing is separate.
- Optional human expert review: +$4.99 USD.

[Open the photo tool](https://onedollarpassportphoto.com/us/esta/)