Check Your Passport Photo Before You Apply
A photo can look fine on your phone and still miss an application’s rules. This five-question check helps you spot common issues with glasses, expression, background, clothing, and age before you prepare your photo.
What the check can tell you
The questions focus on five frequent trouble spots: glasses, your expression, the background, clothing, and the age of the person in the photo. Your answers point out issues to review, such as eyes hidden by glare, a busy background, or a child’s photo that may have different rules.
Passport rules depend on the country and the type of application. For example, a printed U.S. passport photo must be 2 by 2 inches, with the head 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to crown. A printed UK passport photo must be 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with the head 29 to 34 mm high. Check the instructions for your application before using either size.[1][2]
Use the five questions
Look at the photo you plan to use and answer each question based on what you can see. Check whether glasses hide the eyes or create glare; whether the face looks straight ahead with eyes open and mouth closed; whether the background is plain; whether clothing or a head covering blocks the face; and whether the photo is for a baby or child.
Read the result as a reminder to inspect the photo, not as an official decision. If an answer flags a possible problem, compare your photo with the rules from the passport or visa office handling your application. Some authorities allow exceptions for young children or for religious or medical head coverings, but the details differ.[1][2]
Take a clear, even photo
For a new photo, ask someone to take it while you stand facing a plain wall. Face a window for soft light, and move away from the wall to reduce shadows. Keep the camera at eye level, about 1 to 1.5 metres away, and hold still so the image stays sharp.
These are practical tips, not official rules. Official instructions may set exact standards for the background, face position, image quality, and allowed changes. For example, the U.S. requires a plain white or off-white background without shadows, while the UK specifies plain cream or light grey. Both prohibit shadows on or behind you.[1][2]
Prepare the right crop and print
Use the tool above to crop your photo to the size listed for your application. Before printing, check that the face is centered, the full head is visible, and the print will not be cut off. Follow your application’s instructions for printing and submission.
A 4×6 print sheet is a way to print the image; it does not make every crop suitable for every country. The UK requires a 45 by 35 mm printed photo and says it must not be cut down from a larger picture. The U.S. requires a 2 by 2 inch photo. Follow the required size and submission method for your application.[1][2]
Know what the check cannot do
The checklist does not measure every detail of a photo or confirm that an authority will accept it. It cannot decide whether your image meets a particular file limit, how to submit it, whether it is recent enough, or whether an exception applies to you. Check the official instructions for those details.
For example, U.S. passport photos must be taken within the last six months; UK passport photos must be taken within the last month. UK printed applications need two identical photos, while online applications use digital photos. The authority reviews your application and makes the final decision.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
Can I use one passport photo for every country?
No. Photo sizes and other rules vary. The U.S. printed photo is 2 by 2 inches; the UK printed photo is 45 by 35 mm. Check the rules for your application.[1][2]
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
Rules vary. The U.S. says to remove eyeglasses, sunglasses, and tinted glasses. The UK says not to wear glasses unless you have to; if you must, they cannot be tinted or sunglasses, and your eyes must not be hidden by frames or glare.[1][2]
What background should I use?
Use the color named by your application authority. U.S. rules specify plain white or off-white; UK rules specify plain cream or light grey. Both prohibit shadows.[1][2]
Can a baby or child smile in a passport photo?
Rules vary by age and country. In UK printed passport photos, children under 6 do not have to look directly at the camera or have a plain expression, and babies under one do not have to have their eyes open. Check the rules for your application.[2]
Does a good checklist result guarantee my photo will be accepted?
No. The check points out common issues, but the authority decides whether your photo meets its rules.