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Passport Photo Requirements: Quick Reference

📅 February 25, 2026 • 📁 Passport • ⏱ 3 min read

A simple table of size and background requirements for USA, UK, India, Canada, China, and Schengen countries. No long paragraphs – just what you need.

📌 Quick Tips Before You Start:

  • Face must be clearly visible - no sunglasses, hats, or hair covering face
  • Recent photo only - taken within last 6 months
  • No edits or filters - natural appearance only
  • Good lighting - no shadows on face or background

📋 Passport Photo Requirements by Country

Country Photo Size Background Head Size
🇺🇸 USA 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) Plain white or off-white 1 - 1⅜ inches (25-35 mm)
🇬🇧 UK 35 x 45 mm Cream or light grey 29-34 mm from chin to crown
🇮🇳 India 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) White 80% of photo
🇨🇦 Canada 50 x 70 mm Plain white 31-36 mm from chin to crown
🇨🇳 China 33 x 48 mm White 70-80% of photo
🇪🇺 Schengen 35 x 45 mm Light grey or cream 32-36 mm from chin to crown
🇦🇺 Australia 35 x 45 mm Plain light background 70-80% of photo
🇯🇵 Japan 35 x 45 mm White 80% of photo

* Schengen countries include: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Greece, Portugal, and more.

📏 Common Photo Size Conversions

Size in Inches Size in mm Size in pixels (300 DPI) Common Use
2 x 2 inches 51 x 51 mm 600 x 600 px USA, India, Philippines
1.38 x 1.77 inches 35 x 45 mm 413 x 531 px UK, Europe, Australia, Japan
1.97 x 2.76 inches 50 x 70 mm 591 x 827 px Canada
1.3 x 1.89 inches 33 x 48 mm 390 x 567 px China

✅ Common Rejection Reasons

  • Wrong background color - using grey when white is required
  • Smiling with teeth showing - neutral expression required for most countries
  • Head too small or too large - doesn't meet size percentage requirements
  • Glasses glare - remove glasses or use anti-glare coating
  • Shadows on face or background - use even lighting
  • Photo too old - must be within last 6 months

📝 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I wear glasses in my passport photo?

A: Most countries now discourage or prohibit glasses in passport photos due to glare issues. USA requires no glasses. UK allows only if medically necessary with a signed note.

Q: What color background is best?

A: White is the safest choice for most countries. For UK and Schengen, light grey or cream is acceptable. Always check your specific country's requirements.

Q: Can I smile in my passport photo?

A: Most countries require a neutral expression with mouth closed and both eyes open. USA and UK require neutral expression with no smile.

Q: How recent should my photo be?

A: All countries require photos taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.

🎯 Make Your Passport Photo Online

Don't stress about finding the right photo studio or meeting exact requirements. Use our Passport Photo Tool to create compliant photos instantly:

  • ✅ Auto-crop to exact country specifications
  • ✅ Change background color automatically
  • ✅ Check head size and position
  • ✅ Compress to required file size (20KB-50KB)
  • ✅ Print ready or digital download

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