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Passport photo requirements · 2026 edition
Passport Photo Requirements — Size, Background & Rules by Country
Every country has slightly different passport photo requirements: size in mm or inches, background colour, head proportions, glasses and expression rules. This guide summarizes the universal ICAO-9303 rules, links to per-country specs, and lets you generate a compliant photo in 30 seconds.
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The 5 universal rules (ICAO 9303)
Recent photo
Taken in the last 6 months. Must look like you today — same hair length, no major weight change.
Plain light background
White, off-white or light grey. No patterns, shadows or coloured walls behind you.
Neutral expression
Mouth closed, no smile with visible teeth, both eyes open and looking at the camera.
Face fully visible
No hats, no sunglasses, no hair covering eyes or eyebrows. Head straight, centered.
Sharp, well-lit, unfiltered
In focus, even lighting on the face, no shadows, no beauty filters, no red-eye.
Correct size & head proportions
Varies by country. Head must occupy 70–80% of the frame height depending on the standard.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the main passport photo requirements?+
Every ICAO-9303 compliant passport photo shares five rules: recent (last 6 months), plain light background, neutral expression with mouth closed, both eyes open and visible, face centered and fully visible (no shadows, no filters). Country-specific sizes and head proportions apply on top.
Do passport photo sizes differ by country?+
Yes. The US uses 2×2 inch (51×51 mm), the UK, EU and Schengen countries use 35×45 mm, India uses 51×51 mm for a passport but 35×45 mm for a visa, Canada uses 50×70 mm. Our tool detects the country you select and outputs the correct size automatically.
Can I smile in a passport photo?+
No. Every major passport authority (US State Department, HM Passport Office, IRCC, ICAO) requires a neutral expression with the mouth closed. A slight, closed-mouth smile is usually tolerated, but a full smile with visible teeth is a common rejection reason.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?+
For US passports glasses have been banned since November 2016. The UK, Canada, Australia and Schengen countries allow glasses only if there is no glare and both eyes are fully visible with no tinted lenses. When in doubt, remove them.
What background color is required?+
Almost every country requires a plain, uniform, light background: white or off-white for the US, India and China; light grey for the UK, Australia and most Schengen countries. Coloured, patterned or textured backgrounds are always rejected.
What resolution do I need for a digital passport photo?+
Governments accept photos at 600 DPI minimum. Files should be sharp, in focus, and typically 300 KB – 2 MB as JPEG. Our tool exports a print-ready 600 DPI file plus a 4×6 or 10×15 cm printable sheet.
