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Passport & visa photo checklist

Tick every rule before you submit, then check the exact numbers for your document in section 2.

Specs checked against official sources on September 16, 2026

1. Pre-submission check

Pass · Fail

01
Taken recently enough
UK: within the last month. Schengen: 3 or 6 months, depending on the consulate. US passport, DS-160, DV lottery, Canada and Australia: within 6 months.
PassFail
02
Neutral expression, mouth closed
Only the US passport allows a closed-mouth smile. The DS-160, UK, Canada and Australia (over age 3) all want a neutral face.
PassFail
03
Eyes open, visible, looking at the camera
Face the camera directly, head not tilted, hair away from your eyes. No red eye, and don't edit red eye out afterwards.
PassFail
04
Glasses off
Not allowed for the US passport (unless you include a doctor's note), the DS-160 or the DV lottery. UK: only if you have to. Australia: only for a medical reason. Never sunglasses or tinted lenses.
PassFail
05
Plain background in the right colour
White or off-white for US documents; cream or light grey for UK prints; white or light for Schengen, Canada and Australia; plain white for India. No texture, objects or lines.
PassFail
06
No shadows, even lighting
No shadow on your face or on the wall behind your head. Skin tone should look natural, neither too bright nor too dark.
PassFail
07
Head covering only for religious or medical reasons
Your full face must stay visible with no shadows. The US asks for a signed statement with the application.
PassFail
08
No headphones or earbuds
Wireless earbuds are not hearing aids. A hearing device you normally wear is fine for US visas, the DV lottery and Australia.
PassFail
09
Head size inside the window
Measure from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head and compare with your document in section 2. A head that is too small is the usual framing failure.
PassFail
10
No edits, filters or AI
No beauty filters, skin smoothing, retouching, background replacement or AI enhancement. Cropping and resizing only.
PassFail
11
Not a copy
No photocopies, no scans of an ID or driver's licence, no photo of a printed photo.
PassFail
12
Print in good condition, not trimmed down
Correct size, photo-quality paper, no creases, tears or marks. Don't cut a larger print down to size: the head size would no longer be right.
PassFail

Any box in the Fail column: retake the photo rather than editing it. The authority handling your application always makes the final decision.

2. The numbers, document by document

Specs checked against official sources on September 16, 2026. Each card links to the full guide with sources.

US passportFull guide

Print: 1 print, 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm), matte or glossy photo paper
Digital: Online renewal: JPG, JPEG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF, 54 KB to 10 MB; you crop in the application
Head: 1 to 1 3/8 in (25–35 mm), chin to top of head
Background: Plain white or off-white

Gotcha: Glasses must come off unless you include a signed doctor's note. For online renewal, don't photograph or scan a printed photo.

US visa (DS-160)Full guide

Print: 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm), if your embassy or consulate asks for one at the interview
Digital: Square JPEG, 600 x 600 to 1200 x 1200 px, 240 kB max, 24-bit sRGB
Head: 50–69% of image height; eyes 56–69% from the bottom
Background: Plain white or off-white

Gotcha: 240 kB is a hard ceiling, and iPhone HEIC or PNG files are not accepted. Export a 600 x 600 JPEG. No smile, no glasses.

UK passportFull guide

Print: 2 identical, 45 mm high x 35 mm wide, printed to a professional standard
Digital: At least 600 px wide x 750 px tall, 50 KB to 10 MB
Head: 29–34 mm, chin to crown (printed photos)
Background: Printed: plain cream or light grey. Digital: plain, light-coloured

Gotcha: Taken within the last month. If you take the digital photo on your own device, don't crop it: the service crops it for you.

Schengen visaFull guide

Print: 35 x 45 mm (3.5 x 4.5 cm), colour, photo-quality paper
Digital: No common digital spec: see the official page (many centres capture your image at the appointment)
Head: Face 70–80% of photo height, or 32–36 mm (German missions)
Background: Plain white or light-coloured, no shadows (varies by consulate)

Gotcha: Each consulate has its own checklist: the German Embassy in London wants 3 months or less, the Netherlands allows 6. Follow the one where you apply.

Canada passportFull guide

Print: 2 identical, 50 mm wide x 70 mm high (2 x 2 3/4 in), professionally printed
Digital: Online renewal: JPEG, 1200 x 1800 px min, 3000 x 4500 px max, 200 KB to 5 MB
Head: 31–36 mm, chin to crown (digital: 45–50% of height)
Background: Plain white or light-coloured

Gotcha: Must be taken in person by a commercial photographer. The back of the prints needs the studio's name, complete address and the date taken.

India passportFull guide

Print: 1 photo, 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm (45 x 35 mm), not smaller than the box on the form
Digital: No photo upload in the passport form: see the official page
Head: Adults: see the official page. Children under 4: face 80–85% of the photo
Background: Plain white, with dark-coloured clothing

Gotcha: No photo needed at a PSK or POPSK: it is captured at the centre. Computer prints are not accepted, and the photo must not be signed.

Australia passportFull guide

Print: 2 photos, 35–40 mm wide x 45–50 mm high
Digital: See the official page
Head: 32–36 mm, chin to crown
Background: Plain white or light grey, contrasting with your face

Gotcha: Colour prints by dye sublimation, not inkjet, on heavy-weight glossy paper of at least 200 gsm. The APO recommends a professional photo provider.

DV lotteryFull guide

Print: No print for the entry. Scanning a print: 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) at 300 ppi
Digital: JPEG, 600 x 600 px, square, 240 kB max
Head: 50–69% of image height (about 300–414 px)
Background: Plain white or off-white

Gotcha: Reusing a photo from a prior year's entry makes you ineligible. Everyone listed on the entry needs their own new photo.