Our photos are compliant and accepted for every type of document, worldwide. ICAO 9303 compliant.
ICAO 9303 · biometric standard
ICAO 9303 compliant photo — the biometric standard explained
ICAO 9303 is the international standard for biometric ID photos used by passports, visas, national ID cards and driving licences in more than 190 countries. Here's what the standard requires — and how to generate a fully compliant photo in 30 seconds.
Il tuo selfie→ICAO compliant
Free preview · ICAO 9303 · digital file + printable sheet with 6 photos
Where ICAO 9303 applies
Biometric passports
Every machine-readable passport issued since 2005 uses ICAO 9303 as its photo standard.
Visa applications
US, Schengen, UK, Canada, Australia, India and most other consulates require an ICAO-compliant photo.
National ID cards
Electronic ID cards across the EU, UK, and beyond follow ICAO 9303 for the printed portrait and the chip photo.
Driving licences & permits
Driving licences, residence permits, work permits and student visas all share the same biometric criteria.
ICAO 9303 biometric criteria
Head coverage70–80% of frame height
Eye lineBetween 50% and 70% from bottom
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed
GazeStraight at the camera
BackgroundUniform, light, no shadows
LightingEven, no red-eye, no reflections
ColourFull colour, natural skin tone
Resolution≥ 600 DPI when printed
Why ICAO 9303 matters
Non-compliant photo
Rejected at the counter or by the online portal
You lose the appointment fee or the application slot
You wait weeks for a new appointment
Your document may not read at automated border gates
ICAO 9303 compliant photo
Accepted in over 190 countries
Works with automated ePassport gates
Same criteria for passport, visa and ID card
Generated and verified by IDReady.ai in 30 seconds
Ready in 30 seconds, from home
Generate an ICAO 9303 compliant photo from any selfie — verified, ready to submit.
Free preview. You only pay if you're satisfied.
Frequently asked questions
What is ICAO 9303?+
ICAO 9303 is the International Civil Aviation Organization's standard for machine-readable travel documents. Part 3 defines the biometric portrait specifications — dimensions, framing, background, expression, lighting — used for passports, visas and national ID cards worldwide.
Which documents require an ICAO 9303 photo?+
Every biometric passport, most visa applications, national ID cards, driving licences and residence permits in more than 190 countries. If a document has a machine-readable zone or a chip, its photo follows ICAO 9303.
What are the key ICAO 9303 requirements?+
Face centred and looking straight at the camera, neutral expression with the mouth closed, eyes open and visible, uniform light background, no shadows, no red-eye, no glasses reflections, head coverage between 70 and 80 percent of the frame height, and full-colour resolution of at least 600 DPI when printed.
Can I take an ICAO 9303 photo at home?+
Yes. You just need a well-lit selfie against a neutral wall. IDReady.ai then reframes, replaces the background, checks the biometric criteria and outputs an ICAO-compliant file.
How do you verify compliance?+
The generated photo is checked against the ICAO 9303 criteria — face landmarks, head coverage, background uniformity, exposure and sharpness — before being delivered. If any check fails, the photo is regenerated automatically.
