United Kingdom Passport Photo

United Kingdom passport photo requirements

Used for the UK passport and most UK visa applications.

What's different about a United Kingdom photo

The UK uses the 35 × 45 mm international size on a plain light-coloured background. GOV.UK does not name a single required shade — white, cream and light grey are all acceptable — but it does require clear contrast between you and the background, which is the part that actually catches people out. Pale hair or a light top against a white wall gives the checker nothing to find an edge in.

The detail that genuinely differs from most countries is recency. Where the international norm is six months, the UK asks for a photo taken within the last month. If you are digging out prints from an application earlier in the year, they are already too old.

United Kingdom photo rules in detail

Glasses

Strongly discouraged. If you must wear them, the frames must not cover your eyes, there must be no glare on the lenses, and tinted or reflective lenses are refused outright. Removing them is the safer choice.

Expression

Neutral with the mouth closed. The UK is explicit that you must not smile — a natural smile that is fine for a US photo will fail here.

Headwear

Not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons, and your facial features from chin to crown must be clearly visible with no shadow cast by the covering.

Head size

For printed photos, HM Passport Office specifies 29 mm to 34 mm from chin to crown. That is a tighter window than the 32–36 mm used across much of Europe, so a photo cut for a Schengen application will usually be over.

Digital uploads

Applying online needs a digital photo at least 600 × 750 pixels, between 50 KB and 10 MB. The GOV.UK service runs an automatic quality check and tells you immediately if it fails, which is faster than finding out by post.

Photos must have been taken within the last month. The authority for these rules is the HM Passport Office (GOV.UK) — check there before you apply, since requirements do change.

Babies and children

Children under 6 do not have to hold a neutral expression or look straight at the camera, and babies under 1 may have their eyes closed. For any child, nobody else may be visible in the shot — that includes a supporting hand — and a baby must not be holding a toy or using a dummy. Photographing a baby on a plain light-grey sheet from directly above is the usual way round this.

How the United Kingdom application works

Almost everyone now applies online through GOV.UK and uploads a digital photo rather than posting prints. You can either upload a picture taken at home against a plain wall, or use a photo booth that gives you a digital code to type in.

Paper applications still exist and need two identical printed photos, one of which must be signed on the back by someone who can confirm your identity. If you are applying for a first child passport by post, that countersignature is mandatory.

Why United Kingdom photos get rejected

• Too little contrast between you and the background — pale hair or a light top against a white wall.
• A photo more than a month old, which is stricter than most countries expect.
• A shadow behind the head from standing too close to the wall.
• Hair falling across the eyes, or a fringe that obscures the eyebrows.
• Glare on glasses, or frames covering any part of the eyes.

How to make your United Kingdom photo

1. 1. Upload a portrait

   A clear, front-facing photo with even lighting. The background is removed automatically.

2. 2. Fit the guides

   The 35×45 mm frame is pre-selected — line your head up with the crown and chin guides.

3. 3. Download or print

   Export the exact size at 300 DPI, or a 6×4 inch sheet of copies for any photo kiosk.

Preguntas frecuentes

Passport photo sizes for other countries