Passport & Visa Photo Size Requirements (Global Standards)
Government passport offices and visa consulates reject tens of thousands of applications every year due to non-compliant photo dimensions, incorrect head ratios, or improper resolution. This guide details international biometric standards to ensure your application is approved on the first attempt.
International Country Requirements
Launch Passport Resizer →| Country / Jurisdiction | Physical Size | Pixel Size @ 300 DPI | Head Height | Background |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (US Passport & Visa) | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) | 600 × 600 px (up to 1200 × 1200 px) | 1 inch to 1 3/8 inches (25 mm – 35 mm) | Plain white or off-white |
| Schengen Area (Europe / 29 Countries) | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | 32 mm to 36 mm (70% – 80% of frame) | Plain light grey or cream (not pure white in some embassies) |
| United Kingdom (HM Passport Office) | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px (digital min 600 × 750 px) | 29 mm to 34 mm from chin to crown | Plain light grey or plain cream |
| India (Passport Seva & OCI) | 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) or 35 × 45 mm | 600 × 600 px or 413 × 531 px | 25 mm to 35 mm | Pure white |
| Canada (Passport Program) | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2 3/4 inches) | 591 × 827 px | 31 mm to 36 mm | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Australia (Australian Passport Office) | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | 32 mm to 36 mm | Plain white or light grey |
Universal Biometric Photo Checklist
All modern machine-readable travel documents adhere to guidelines established by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO Doc 9303). Before submitting, verify each of the following:
Facial Expression & Pose
Neutral facial expression, direct gaze at the camera, mouth closed, both eyes fully open and visible. Zero smiling, frowning, or tilting of the head.
Eyeglasses & Headwear
Eyeglasses are strictly prohibited for US and most international passports (except with signed medical exemption). Headwear is only allowed for verified religious purposes and must not cast shadows across the face.
Lighting & Shadows
Even illumination without hot spots, glare, or shadows behind the ears, under the chin, or across the background. Use diffuse front lighting.
Resolution & DPI
Physical prints require 300 DPI (dots per inch) minimum. For digital uploads, maintain uncompressed sharpness with zero visible compression artifacts.
How to Prepare Your Passport Photo at Home
- Stand 4–6 feet from a plain white wall: Ensure ambient natural light falls evenly across your face. Avoid using direct flash close to the face to prevent harsh glare.
- Capture in high resolution: Have someone take the photo at eye level using a modern smartphone or DSLR. Leave comfortable headroom above your hair.
- Open Passport Photo Resizer: Drop your image. Select your target country (e.g. US 2×2 in or Schengen 35×45 mm).
- Check centering: Ensure your head occupies 50% to 70% of the vertical frame height.
- Export as JPEG: Download your resized passport photo instantly. It is ready for online portal uploads or printing at your local photo center.
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