Passport Photo Size Requirements by Country — Complete 2026 Guide
Getting a passport photo rejected because it is 2 millimetres too wide or the background is the wrong shade of white is infuriating — especially when it delays your travel plans by weeks. Every country has specific requirements for passport photo dimensions, background colour, head size, and file specifications for digital submissions. This guide covers the exact requirements for the most commonly needed countries so you can get it right the first time.
United States Passport Photo Requirements
Print size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Digital size: 600 x 600 pixels minimum, up to 1200 x 1200 pixels. Background: Plain white or off-white. Head size: The head (from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair) must measure between 1 inch and 1-3/8 inches (25 to 35 mm), which is roughly 50-69% of the image height. File format for online submission: JPEG, between 240 KB and 5 MB.
The US State Department is strict about these requirements. Photos with shadows, glasses (as of 2016, glasses are no longer allowed), or backgrounds that are not sufficiently white will be rejected. If you are submitting digitally through the online renewal system, your image must meet the pixel dimensions exactly. Resize your photo to 600 x 600 pixels and compress to fall within the 240 KB to 5 MB range.
United Kingdom Passport Photo Requirements
Print size: 35 x 45 mm. Digital size: At least 600 x 750 pixels, maximum 6.5 MB. Background: Plain light grey or cream (not pure white — this is a common mistake). Head size: The head (chin to crown) should be between 29 and 34 mm in the print version. File format: JPEG for digital submissions through the HM Passport Office online service.
The UK is one of the few countries that prefers a light grey background rather than pure white. Pure white backgrounds can cause issues with the automated checking system because the system may struggle to distinguish the edge of the face from the background. If you are taking the photo at home, a light-coloured wall (not bright white) works well.
India Passport Photo Requirements
Print size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). Digital size: 350 x 350 pixels minimum. Background: Plain white. File format: JPEG, between 10 KB and 300 KB for online applications through the Passport Seva portal. Head coverage: Face should occupy about 50-60% of the photo. Both ears must be visible.
The Indian passport application system has a strict 300 KB maximum file size, which catches many applicants off guard. A modern phone camera produces photos that are 3-5 MB, so you need to resize and compress significantly. Crop to a perfect square, resize to 600 x 600 pixels (larger than the minimum for better quality), then compress to under 300 KB.
Canada, EU/Schengen, and Australia
Canada: 50 x 70 mm print size, one of the few countries that uses a rectangular (non-square) format. The face must be between 31 and 36 mm from chin to crown. Background must be plain white. Digital submissions require JPEG format, 420 x 540 pixels minimum, under 5 MB.
EU/Schengen countries: 35 x 45 mm is the standard across most European countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. Background is typically plain light grey or white (varies by country — Germany requires light grey, France accepts light blue or light grey). The face should cover 70-80% of the photo height. Digital requirements vary by country but JPEG under 500 KB is a safe target.
Australia: 35 x 45 mm print size. Background must be plain white. Head size from chin to crown should be between 32 and 36 mm. For online renewal, photos must be JPEG format, between 80 KB and 5 MB, with a minimum resolution of 600 x 750 pixels.
China and Japan
China: 33 x 48 mm — a unique size that is slightly narrower than most other countries. Background must be plain white. Head height should be 28-33 mm, and the face width should be 15-22 mm. For the online visa application, digital photos must be 354 x 472 pixels, JPEG format, between 40 KB and 120 KB. The strict file size range makes compression essential.
Japan: 35 x 45 mm print size (same as UK and EU). Background must be plain white or light (no patterns). Head should occupy 70-80% of the photo height, measured from chin to top of hair. For the online visa application system, photos should be JPEG, at least 600 x 600 pixels. Japan is particularly strict about facial expression — your mouth must be closed and your expression neutral.
Quick Reference — All Countries
US: 2x2 in (51x51mm) | 600x600px | White BG
UK: 35x45mm | 600x750px | Light grey BG
India: 2x2 in (51x51mm) | 350x350px | White BG | Max 300KB
Canada: 50x70mm | 420x540px | White BG
EU/Schengen: 35x45mm | Varies | White or light grey BG
Australia: 35x45mm | 600x750px | White BG
China: 33x48mm | 354x472px | White BG | 40-120KB
Japan: 35x45mm | 600x600px | White BG
Taking a Passport Photo at Home
You do not need to visit a photo studio. Stand in front of a plain, light-coloured wall. Use natural daylight from a window facing you (not behind you — that creates shadows). Have someone take the photo at face level from about 4 feet away. Use your phone's rear camera, not the selfie camera, for better quality. Make sure no shadows fall on your face or the background.
After taking the photo, the workflow is the same regardless of the country: crop to the correct aspect ratio (square for US and India, rectangular for UK, EU, Canada, etc.), resize to the required pixel dimensions, and compress to meet the file size limits. Always check the output against the country's specific requirements before submitting — a rejected photo means starting over and potentially delaying your application by days or weeks.