UK passport & visa photo requirements

Taking the perfect passport photo can make or break your UK visa or passport application.

The success of your passport or visa application heavily relies on the photo you submit, as the UK government has strict guidelines for it. A photo that fails to meet these standards can lead to unwanted delays or rejection of your application.

We've compiled a guide with all the passport photo guidance you’ll ever need for UK travel documents so that you get your photo right the first time. Continue reading to ensure your photo meets every requirement.

Guidelines for UK passport and visa photos

Whether you need a UK passport or a visa, make sure that your photo meets the following specifications.

• Recent photo: Your photo must have been taken in the last month to show how you currently look.

• Photo dimensions: The photo should be 35mm x 45mm. Your face should measure between 29-34mm from the top of your head to the bottom of your chin. The image must not be trimmed down from a larger photograph to the size of a standard passport photo.

• Quality: The photo must be in color, clear, in focus, and printed on high-quality photographic paper. For digital photos, it needs to be at least 600 x 750 pixels. The size should be no more than 10MB and at least 50KB. The image should accurately show your natural skin tone.

• Background: Use a plain cream or light-gray background with no patterns or shadows. There should be a clear contrast between the background and your face.

• Head position: Look straight at the camera without tilting your head. Your head should be level and centered in the frame. Both sides of your face must be visible. There should be no shadows on your face or behind you.

• Facial expression: You should have a neutral expression with your eyes open and clearly visible and your mouth closed.

• Lighting: Make sure the light is even and doesn’t cast shadows or create glare on your face or in the background.

• Glasses: These are only allowed for medical reasons. The frames should not cover your eyes, and the lenses should be free from reflection and have no glare. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are not permitted.

• Head coverings: Hats and head coverings are only allowed for religious or medical reasons as long as they don’t create shadows on your face. Your face should still be visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of your head.

• Hair and clothing: Wear regular clothes that stand out against the background. Religious clothing is permitted only for those who wear it daily. Your hair should not cover your eyes.

Passport & visa photos for infants and children

Passport photos for children aged six and over must meet the same standards as for adults. Most of the requirements are the same for younger children, but there is some flexibility in certain areas.

• Eyes visibility: The child's eyes should be open and visible. However, babies under the age of one don’t need to have their eyes open. Glasses should be avoided unless medically necessary. They should not cover the eyes, and there must be no glare on the lenses.

• Facial expression: Children 5 years old and younger don't need to have a neutral expression or look directly at the camera but they must face forward.

• Clothing: Dress your child in simple, everyday outfits that don’t hide their face. Accessories like hats and pacifiers are not allowed, but religious head coverings are acceptable as long as they reveal the child’s entire face.

• No visible support: When photographing infants or young children who need support, make sure no hands or supporting objects are visible in the photo. ​

• Focus on the child: The photo should only feature the child, without other people or props.

For infants unable to sit or stand, a photo can be taken from above while they lie on a plain light-colored background or placed in a car seat covered with a plain light-colored cloth.

Learn what every traveler should know before visiting the UK via our trip guide.

Get support for your UK Visa application

If you’d like to apply for a UK ETA or Standard Visitor Visa and need more information, you can get in touch with our customer support team. Contact them any time via WhatsApp or through the iVisa chat.