US wants no hair or facial coverings on passport photos

Effective immediately, the United States Embassy has changed its immigrant VISA applicant procedures.

Applicants will be required to provide certain information, including local and foreign contact information, at the time of scheduling their VISA appointment through TeleScotia. New VISA application forms are now available. These forms are intended to make the process faster and more convenient, a release stated. There are also new photo requirements. The photo can be colour or black and white but must have been taken within the last six months of the interview. It must be two inches square with the applicant’s head and face centred in the photo, and the head  from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin should be 25-35mm. The background must be white or off-white with no borders. No hair or facial covering which affects the ability to view facial features will be permitted. Applicants are also asked to note that no advantage is gained by early arrival for Visa appointments, no applicants are admitted more than 30 minutes prior to their appointment and will be admitted up to 30 minutes after the scheduled time.