Passport Photo Requirements: A Country-by-Country Guide

Nothing delays a visa application faster than a rejected photo. Each country publishes strict specifications — dimensions, background color, head size, and even expression rules. This guide covers the common requirements so you can prepare compliant photos from home.

The universal basics

• Plain white or light gray background with no shadows
• Neutral expression — no smile with teeth in most countries
• Both eyes open and looking at the camera
• No glasses with heavy frames; current guidance bans most glasses entirely
• No head coverings unless required for religious reasons
• Photo printed on high-quality matte or glossy paper

United States (2x2 inches)

Head must measure 1 to 1 3/8 inches from chin to crown. Background must be plain white or off-white. Recent U.S. guidelines also explicitly allow digital submission with the same head-size ratio.

United Kingdom (35x45mm)

Face must occupy 29-34mm from chin to crown. Background: light gray or cream, not pure white. The UK guidance is unusually strict about head positioning — eyes must be between 20mm and 30mm from the bottom of the photo.

India (35x45mm)

Specifications vary by passport and visa type. Most require a white background, eyes 27-33mm from the bottom, and no shadows. The Indian passport office is particular about looking straight ahead with both ears visible.

Schengen and EU (35x45mm)

Photo must be recent (within 6 months), with the head taking 70-80% of the frame. White background is standard, and the applicant must face forward with neutral expression.

Getting it right from home

With a modern phone, you can prepare the photo yourself: shoot against a plain wall, crop to the required head-size ratio, and use ToolKitHub's Image Resizer to set the exact pixel dimensions your target country specifies. Verify the head size against the spec sheet after cropping, then print on photo paper at the right DPI or submit digitally as required.