UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026: HMPO Size, Background, and the Rules That Catch Everyone

UK passport photos have three requirements that catch almost everyone off guard. The background must be plain and light-coloured — light grey, cream, or white are all accepted, though HMPO prefers grey or cream for better contrast. The photo must be taken within the last month, not the last six months. And glasses should be removed unless medically necessary — if you must wear them, strict conditions apply.

These rules are stricter than most other countries, and HMPO (His Majesty's Passport Office) enforces them rigorously. A significant percentage of UK passport photos are rejected each year. This guide covers every specification so yours is not one of them.

Print Specifications (for paper applications)

• Size: 35×45mm (3.5×4.5cm) — approximately 1.38×1.77 inches
• Head height: 29–34mm from chin to crown of head (approximately 65–75% of the photo height)
• Background: Plain light-coloured — light grey, cream, or white. Grey or cream preferred for best contrast.
• Quantity: Two identical photos required for paper applications

Digital Specifications (for online applications via GOV.UK)

• Minimum dimensions: 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels tall
• File format: JPEG
• File size: 50 KB to 10 MB
• Background: Plain light-coloured (light grey, cream, or white accepted)

When you apply online through GOV.UK, you upload your photo and an automated checker validates it before submission. The checker looks at background colour, head size and position, expression, eye visibility, and overall image quality.

The Three Rules Everyone Gets Wrong

1. Background: Plain Light-Coloured — Grey or Cream Preferred

This is one of the most common rejection reasons for UK passport photos. HMPO requires a plain light-coloured background. Light grey, cream, and white are all officially accepted, but grey or cream are preferred because they provide better contrast for biometric scanning.

Bright white backgrounds can overexpose at the edges in printed photos and may cause the automated GOV.UK checker to struggle with detecting the boundary between your face and the background. A light grey or cream background is the safest choice.

If you are taking the photo at home, a light-coloured wall in a naturally lit room usually works well. Bright white walls can photograph as harsh and reflective, which may cause issues with the automated checker. A cream-painted wall, a light grey curtain, or a sheet of pale grey card behind you are all good options, though white is officially accepted.

2. Recency: Within One Month, Not Six

The UK has one of the strictest recency requirements globally. Your photo must have been taken within the last month — not the last three months, not the last six months.

This catches people who take their photo in advance or try to reuse a photo from a previous application. If you took your photo five weeks ago and are just now submitting your application, HMPO can reject it.

For comparison: the US allows photos up to six months old, India has no specific recency rule (just "current appearance"), and most EU countries accept photos up to six months old.

3. Glasses — Remove Them If You Can

HMPO strongly recommends removing glasses for your passport photo. GOV.UK states "do not wear glasses in your photo unless you have to do so." If you must wear them (for medical or other necessary reasons), the official rules state:

• They cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses
• Your eyes must not be covered by the frames
• There must be no glare, reflection, or shadow from the lenses

In practice, removing glasses entirely is the safest approach because even subtle reflections can trigger the automated checker. If you physically cannot remove your glasses, no GP letter is explicitly required by GOV.UK, but having documentation may help if your application is questioned.

Other Requirements

• Expression: Neutral with mouth closed. A slight natural smile is acceptable but no teeth showing.
• Eyes: Open and clearly visible. No hair covering the eyes. No red-eye.
• Head coverings: Not permitted unless worn for religious or medical reasons. If worn, the covering must not obscure any part of the face from chin to forehead.
• Face position: Looking straight at the camera, face fully visible, no tilt or rotation.
• Lighting: Even, with no shadows on the face or background. Flash reflections in the eyes should be minimised.
• No digital editing: Skin smoothing, slimming filters, eye enlargement, colour manipulation, and AI enhancement are not permitted.

UK vs US vs India vs Australia — Key Differences

Country	Size	Background	Glasses	Recency	Head Coverage
United Kingdom	35×45mm	Light-coloured (grey/cream preferred, white accepted)	Remove recommended; allowed with conditions	1 month	65–75%
United States	2×2 inches (51×51mm)	White	Banned since 2016	6 months	50–69%
India	35×45mm (630×810px digital)	White	Banned since Sep 2025	Current appearance	80–85%
Australia	35×45mm	Light-coloured (white accepted)	Banned since 2019	6 months	65–80%

The UK and India use the same physical print size (35×45mm) but differ on everything else — background colour preference, face coverage percentage, and digital pixel dimensions. A photo made for Passport Seva will not work for HMPO because the face coverage is too tight (80–85% vs 65–75%) and the background is pure white rather than a softer light-coloured tone.

Children and Baby Photos

HMPO has age-specific rules for children under 6 and babies.

Under 1 year: Eyes do not need to be open (though it is preferred). Mouth can be slightly open. The baby does not need to look directly at the camera.

Under 6 years: Does not need to hold a strict neutral expression. Eyes should be open. Should be looking roughly forward.

All ages: No other person visible in the photo — no hands, arms, toys, dummies (pacifiers), or supporting adults. Photograph infants lying on a plain light grey or cream sheet to avoid shadows. The baby must be alone in the photo. If you are supporting the baby's head, your hands must not be visible in the frame.

Photo Codes

Many UK photo services (Timpson, Snappy Snaps, Max Spielmann) offer a photo code — a 16-character alphanumeric code you enter on the GOV.UK online passport application instead of uploading a file. The studio transmits the photo directly to HMPO's system.

Photo codes are convenient for in-person applications but not required. You can always upload your own digital photo directly through GOV.UK instead.

How to Get a UK Passport Photo

At home: Take a photo with your phone's rear camera (not selfie). Stand in front of a light grey or cream wall, or hang a light-coloured sheet. Use natural daylight from a window facing you. Have someone else take the photo from about 4 feet away.

PhotoPass.ai creates UK passport photos at the correct 35×45mm dimensions with an HMPO-compliant light grey background for $2.99. Upload a phone photo, and it handles cropping, background adjustment, and compliance checking automatically.

At a retailer: Timpson, Snappy Snaps, Max Spielmann, and Boots offer passport photo services with HMPO compliance. Prices range from £5–15. These services can also provide a photo code for online applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a white background for a UK passport photo?

Yes — white is officially accepted by HMPO as a "light-coloured" background. However, light grey or cream are preferred because they provide better contrast for biometric scanning. Bright white backgrounds can sometimes cause overexposure in printed photos, so grey or cream is the safer choice if you have the option.

How old can a UK passport photo be?

Your photo must be taken within the last month. This is one of the strictest recency requirements globally. Photos older than one month will be rejected by HMPO.

Can I wear glasses in a UK passport photo?

You should remove glasses if possible. GOV.UK says "do not wear glasses in your photo unless you have to do so." If you must wear them, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted, and your eyes must not be covered by frames, glare, or reflections. Removing glasses entirely is the safest approach to avoid rejection.

What is the digital size for UK passport photos?

For online applications through GOV.UK, the photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, in JPEG format, between 50 KB and 10 MB.

What is a UK passport photo code?

A 16-character reference provided by certified photo retailers like Timpson and Snappy Snaps. You enter the code on the GOV.UK application instead of uploading a photo file. It is convenient but not required — you can upload your own photo instead.

Last updated: May 2026. Verified against HMPO Photo Standards and GOV.UK passport photo guidance.