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 and a browser-based passport photo tool, you can apply the correct crop, background, and compression for your target country without a photo booth. Verify the head size against the spec sheet after cropping, then print on photo paper at the right DPI or submit digitally as required.