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ID PhotoGuide

Passport Photo Requirements: Size, Background & Rules (2026 Guide)

Fastly AI Team

A compliant passport photo comes down to a few rules: the right size, a plain background, a neutral expression, and an unobstructed, well-lit face. Get any of these wrong and your application can be rejected.

This guide covers the general rules, then the exact requirements for the most-searched countries. You can make a compliant photo in seconds with our free ID photo tool.

Quick answer

Most passport photos need a recent, front-facing portrait on a plain white or light background, with both eyes open, no glasses, no shadows, and a neutral expression. The exact dimensions vary by issuing authority: the United States and India commonly use a 2×2 inch square photo, while the United Kingdom and Schengen visa photos use 35×45mm and Canada uses 50×70mm.

General passport photo requirements

  • Face: Front view, full face visible, eyes open and clearly visible.
  • Expression: Neutral, mouth closed. No big smiles.
  • Background: Plain and uniform — usually white or light grey. No shadows.
  • Lighting: Even lighting with no harsh shadows or glare.
  • Glasses: Increasingly not allowed; most authorities ask you to remove them.
  • Head coverings: Only for religious or medical reasons, and the full face must remain visible.

Requirements by country

Exact dimensions and background colors vary. Here are the specifics for the most common destinations:

Rejection checklist

Before submitting, check the finished photo against these common rejection reasons:

  • The photo is the wrong size or aspect ratio for the country.
  • The background is off-white, textured, shadowed, or not allowed for that document type.
  • The head is too large, too small, tilted, or not centered.
  • Glasses, glare, hair, hats, or head coverings hide the eyes or face.
  • The expression is not neutral, the mouth is open, or teeth are visible.
  • The photo is blurry, over-sharpened, filtered, or visibly edited.
  • The image is too old; many authorities require a recent photo.

If any item fails, retake the source photo instead of forcing the crop. A clear original gives the ID Photo Maker more room to crop and format accurately.

Online vs printed passport photos

Some applications accept a digital upload, while others require a printed sheet. Use the same core requirements for both, then match the delivery format:

  • Digital upload: export the exact pixel dimensions requested by the application portal when available.
  • Printed submission: use the official millimeter or inch size, print at the correct DPI, and avoid scaling in the print dialog.
  • Multiple copies: use a print-ready sheet when the authority asks for two or more identical photos.

Common questions

For the rules people ask about most, see our focused guides:

Official sources to check

Passport and visa rules can change, so verify the final image against the issuing authority before submission:

  • United States: U.S. Department of State passport photo requirements.
  • United Kingdom: GOV.UK passport photo guidance.
  • Canada: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada passport photo specifications.
  • Schengen area: The visa or consulate page for the specific destination country.

Use Fastly AI for cropping, background replacement, and print-ready formatting; use the official government page as the final rule source.

Make a compliant photo in seconds

Upload any front-facing photo and our AI ID photo tool auto-crops to the correct size, sets the required background color, and gives you a print-ready file — no studio visit needed.

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