Passport Photo Size Guide: US, UK, Schengen, Canada, India
Passport photo size guide: official passport and visa photo sizes for 10 countries in one table, with head size, background rules and government sources.
By Awais, Founder and editor-in-chiefPublished
The most common passport photo sizes are 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) for the United States and 35 × 45 mm for the UK, the Schengen area and many other countries, but Canada (50 × 70 mm) and China (33 × 48 mm) use their own sizes. Head size, background colour and how recent the photo must be also differ, so always check the rules for the exact document you are applying for.
The table below collects the official rules for ten countries, with a link to each government source. After it you will find how to take a photo that passes, and how to prepare a digital photo for online applications.
Passport and visa photo sizes by country
| Country and document | Print size | Head size | Background | Digital upload |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States passport | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 25–35 mm, chin to top of head | White or off-white | JPG, PNG or HEIC, 54 KB–10 MB (online renewal) |
| United Kingdom passport | 35 × 45 mm | 29–34 mm, chin to crown | Cream or light grey (prints); plain light colour (digital) | At least 600 × 750 px, 50 KB–10 MB |
| Schengen visa | 35 × 45 mm | Face 70–80% of the photo (32–36 mm) | Usually white or off-white | Depends on the country |
| Canada passport | 50 × 70 mm | 31–36 mm, chin to crown | White or light-coloured | JPEG, 1,200 × 1,800 px or more, 200 KB–5 MB (online renewal) |
| India passport (applying abroad) | Follow the mission’s instructions | Face 80–85% of the photo | White | 630 × 810 px, colour |
| Pakistan passport | No print: taken at the passport office | Not applicable | White (online uploads) | 350 × 467 px, JPEG, up to 3 MB (some online services) |
| China visa | 33 × 48 mm | Head 28–33 mm tall, 15–22 mm wide | White or close to white | Checked by the online visa system |
| UAE passport (ICP) | 35 × 45 mm | Not specified | White | Follow the service’s upload screen |
| Saudi Arabia visa | Set by the visa portal | Set by the visa portal | Set by the visa portal | Uploaded in the e-visa application |
| Australia passport | 35–40 mm wide, 45–50 mm high | 32–36 mm, chin to crown | Plain white or light grey | Check the official page |
Rules change, and some countries update them every year or two. The notes below give the source for each row and the extra rules that catch people out.
Country notes and official sources
United States
The State Department’s passport photo page sets the size at 2 × 2 inches with the head between 1 and 1⅜ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. The photo must be in colour and taken in the last 6 months. Glasses must come off unless you have a doctor’s statement, and head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons. For online renewal, the file must be between 54 KB and 10 MB and must not be edited or filtered.
United Kingdom
GOV.UK’s photo rules ask for prints 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with 29–34 mm from the crown of your head to your chin. The photo must be taken in the last month, with a plain expression and your mouth closed. Digital photos must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, and between 50 KB and 10 MB. Don’t crop the photo: it should show your head, shoulders and upper body.
Schengen visa
The EU only says the photo must comply with ICAO standards (European Commission), so each country publishes the details. Germany’s embassy in London asks for 35 × 45 mm prints where the face takes up 70–80% of the photo, or 32–36 mm, and no older than 3 months (German Embassy London). The Czech foreign ministry also asks for 35 × 45 mm. France allows up to 6 months. Check the consulate you are applying to.
Canada
Canada’s passport photo page asks for two identical photos 50 mm wide by 70 mm high, with a face height of 31–36 mm, taken in the last 6 months by a commercial photographer. The back of one photo needs the studio’s name, address and the date, and for most applications a guarantor’s signature. For online renewal the digital photo must be a JPEG of at least 1,200 × 1,800 pixels and 200 KB to 5 MB, again taken by a commercial photographer, with no filters or AI edits.
India
Applicants abroad now apply through Global Passport Seva and must upload an ICAO-compliant photo. A notice from the Embassy of India in Doha specifies a colour photo of 630 × 810 pixels with a white background, where the face takes up 80–85% of the image. That shape matches a 35 × 45 mm print. In India itself, applicants are normally photographed at the Passport Seva Kendra during their appointment; follow the instructions on your appointment slip.
Pakistan
Pakistani passport photos are captured live at Regional Passport Offices and missions abroad, so you don’t bring prints (DGI&P). For some online services for overseas applicants, DGI&P asks for a scanned colour photo with a white background, 350 × 467 pixels, JPEG, no more than 3 MB (DGI&P online passport).
China
Chinese embassies ask for a 48 mm high by 33 mm wide colour photo with a white background, taken in the last 6 months (Chinese Embassy in India). The head should be 28–33 mm tall and 15–22 mm wide (Chinese Embassy in Australia). Rules on head coverings differ between embassies, so check yours.
United Arab Emirates
The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) asks for a 3.5 × 4.5 cm photo with a white background for passport services, and a coloured photo with a white background for visas. Hats and sunglasses are not allowed, and medical glasses only if they don’t cover the eyes (ICP FAQ).
Saudi Arabia
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists a personal photo as a requirement for tourist visas (MOFA), and the photo is uploaded during the online application. We could not find published size rules we could verify, so follow the on-screen instructions in the official visa portal, and use a recent colour photo with a plain light background.
Australia
The Australian Passport Office asks for colour photos 35–40 mm wide and 45–50 mm high, with 32–36 mm from chin to crown, less than 6 months old, printed on good-quality photo paper. Your expression must be neutral with your mouth closed.
How to take a passport photo that passes
Most rejections come from the same handful of mistakes:
- Use a plain background. Stand about half a metre in front of a plain white or light wall to avoid a shadow behind you.
- Light your face evenly. Face a window in daylight. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadows under your eyes and nose.
- Keep the camera at eye level and about 1.5 metres away. A phone held close makes your nose look bigger, a common reason for rejection.
- Look straight ahead with a neutral expression, eyes open and mouth closed.
- Remove glasses unless your country’s rules allow them. Even where they are allowed, glare often leads to rejection.
- Don’t edit the photo. Beauty filters, skin smoothing and AI enhancement are banned by most countries, and Canada now says so explicitly.
Making a digital photo for an online application
For online forms you need the right pixel size and file size, not millimetres. Our Passport Photo Maker crops your photo to the official shape for the country you choose and lets you check the head size against guide lines. It runs in your browser, so your photo is not uploaded.
If the portal also sets a KB limit, finish with Compress Image to KB, or set exact pixels with Resize Image. Our guide on how to reduce image size in KB explains how to hit a size range without making the photo blurry. If your phone saves photos as HEIC, convert them first: see how to convert HEIC to JPG.
Printing your photo at home or in a shop
Most photo shops print on standard 4 × 6 inch (10 × 15 cm) paper. A 4 × 6 sheet fits six 35 × 45 mm photos or six 2 × 2 inch photos. Print at 300 dpi or more. At 300 dpi a 35 × 45 mm photo is about 413 × 531 pixels and a 2 × 2 inch photo is 600 × 600 pixels. Cut carefully along the edges; a crooked or wrongly sized print is a frequent reason for rejection. Australia and Canada expect professional prints, so check before printing at home.
FAQ
Is a 35 × 45 mm photo the same as 2 × 2 inches?
No. 2 × 2 inches is 51 × 51 mm, a square. 35 × 45 mm is a taller rectangle. The US uses 2 × 2 inches, while the UK, Schengen countries, the UAE and many others use 35 × 45 mm.
Can I smile in a passport photo?
Most countries ask for a neutral expression with your mouth closed. The US allows a natural smile in some cases, but a neutral face is the safest choice everywhere.
How recent does my passport photo need to be?
Usually taken within the last 6 months. The UK asks for a photo taken in the last month, and some Schengen consulates ask for 3 months.
Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
Yes for many online applications, such as UK and US online renewals, as long as you follow the lighting, background and size rules. Canada requires a commercial photographer, even for online renewal.
What background colour is required?
White or off-white is the most common. The UK accepts cream or light grey for printed photos.