Passport Photo Requirements by Country
Passport photo requirements vary by country: the print size, the allowed head height and the background colour all change depending on where you apply. This page lists the official specs for the most common destinations in one table, plus the rejection rules that apply almost everywhere.
| Country | Print size | Head height | Background | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 1 – 1⅜ in (25–35 mm) | White or off-white | Taken in the last 6 months |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm | 29–34 mm | Light grey | No smiling, face forward |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm | 31–36 mm | White or light-coloured | Taken in the last 6 months |
| Australia | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Plain white or off-white | Even lighting, no shadows |
| India | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | Face fills 70–80% of frame | White | Light-coloured clothing |
| Philippines | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | Chin to top of head ≈ 1¼ in | White | Taken within 6 months |
| Schengen (EU visa) | 35 × 45 mm | Head height 32–36 mm | Light grey / white | 70–80% face coverage |
| China | 33 × 48 mm | Head height 28–33 mm | White | No glasses, ears visible |
| Japan | 35 × 45 mm | Head height 27–33 mm | Plain white | No hat, no glasses |
| New Zealand | 35 × 45 mm | 32–36 mm | Plain light grey | Neutral expression |
Rules that apply in almost every country
Beyond the size table, these rules are shared by nearly every passport authority. Getting them wrong is the most common cause of rejection — and unlike print size, no amount of re-printing fixes a photo that breaks them.
- Recency: taken within the last 6 months (US, Canada, Philippines and others enforce this strictly).
- Neutral expression: mouth closed, no smiling, both eyes clearly visible and open.
- No glasses: the US has banned glasses in passport photos since December 2023, and most other countries require them removed too. Medical exceptions are rare.
- Plain background, no shadows: stand a step away from the wall and use even lighting — a shadow behind the head is a top rejection reason.
- Headwear: not allowed except religious head coverings that do not obscure the face.
- Full head visible: from the top of the hair to the chin, centred in the frame, with equal space on both sides.
Most common rejection reasons
Passport authorities reject an estimated photo-related applications for predictable reasons: incorrect head size (too large or too small in the frame) and background issues — shadows, wrong colour or pattern — account for the majority. Blurriness, an outdated photo and wearing glasses follow closely. A photo tool that crops to your country's exact spec and checks head size removes most of this risk.
Make a compliant passport photo now
Upload a photo — get it cropped to your country's spec, background removed and head size checked. Free, in your browser.
Create my passport photo →Passport photo requirements by country
Don't see your country? Check the full requirements table →