UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026: Paper and Digital Rules

UK passport requirements differ by route. Paper photos are 35×45mm with a plain cream or light-grey background. An own-device digital photo must be at least 600×750 pixels, between 50 KB and 10 MB, and use a plain light-coloured background. GOV.UK says not to pre-crop an own-device upload because the application provides the crop.

The photo must be new, taken within the last month, and unaltered by computer software. This guide separates the paper and digital rules so a printed measurement is not misapplied to an online upload.

UK Passport Photo Size: Print Specifications

• 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 cream or light grey
• Quantity: Two identical photos required for paper applications

UK Passport Photo Digital Requirements (GOV.UK Online)

• Minimum dimensions: 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels tall
• File size: 50 KB to 10 MB
• Background: Plain light-coloured
• Crop: Do not pre-crop; the online application provides the crop

GOV.UK checks the photo during the application, but its public own-device page does not specify a required file format or enumerate every automated test. Follow the onscreen feedback and remember that a third-party checker cannot reproduce the government review.

The Three Rules Everyone Gets Wrong

1. Background: Paper and digital wording differ

For paper photos, GOV.UK specifies a plain cream or light-grey background. For an own-device digital photo, it says the background must be plain and light-coloured. It does not publish a preferred digital shade.

Use a real, evenly lit background and keep the image unaltered. If the background or lighting is wrong, retake the photo rather than replacing or editing it.

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

GOV.UK tells applicants to remove glasses if they can. If clear glasses remain, 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

Removing them avoids glare and frame-obstruction problems. GOV.UK's standard photo page does not state that a medical letter is required simply because clear glasses remain.

Other Requirements

• Expression: Plain expression with the mouth closed and no smiling or frowning.
• 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 appearance-altering edits: Skin smoothing, slimming filters, eye enlargement, colour manipulation, and facial enhancement are not permitted.

UK Passport Photo Size vs Other Countries

Country	Size	Background	Glasses	Recency	Head Coverage
United Kingdom	35×45mm	Paper: cream/light grey; digital: plain light-coloured	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	35–40×45–50mm	White or light grey	Remove unless medically unable	6 months	65–80%

Do not reuse one prepared output across UK and Indian applications. Even where a paper size overlaps, the background, face framing, digital upload, and submission workflow may differ.

Indian Passport Photo Size in UK

If you are an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) living in the UK and need to renew your Indian passport, the photo requirements are completely different from UK passport photos — even though both use the same 35×45mm physical size.

Indian Passport Photo Specifications for UK NRIs

Indian passport photos for the Passport Seva portal (the mandatory online upload for all Indian passport applications) require:

• Pixel dimensions: Exactly 630×810 pixels (UK passports require 600×750 minimum)
• Aspect ratio: 7:9 rectangular (UK uses similar 35×45mm physical, but pixel specs differ)
• Background: Plain white (UK paper photos use cream/light grey; UK digital photos use a plain light-coloured background)
• File format: JPEG only
• File size: Under 250 KB
• Face coverage: 80–85% of frame (stricter than UK's 65–75%)
• Glasses: Not permitted since September 2025 (stricter than UK's "remove if possible")

Where to Submit Indian Passport Photos in UK

Indian passport applications from the UK are processed through VFS Global UK. You will need:

1. A digital 630×810 pixel photo uploaded to the Passport Seva portal (mportal.passportindia.gov.in)
2. Two printed 35×45mm photos for physical submission at the VFS Global UK center

The digital upload is the harder of the two — the Passport Seva portal runs 20 automated validation checks and gives you only 12 upload attempts. After that, you must restart the entire application.

Common Mistakes by NRIs in UK

The most common mistake is using a UK passport photo for an Indian passport application. They are NOT interchangeable:

• A UK paper-photo cream or light-grey background does not match Passport Seva's white-background rule
• UK passport photo face coverage (65–75%) is too low for Passport Seva (requires 80–85%)
• UK passport photo dimensions in pixels (600×750 minimum) will be REJECTED by Passport Seva (requires exactly 630×810)

For complete Indian passport photo specifications, see our Indian Passport Photo Requirements 2026 guide. For step-by-step upload help, see our Passport Seva photo upload guide.

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, hands, toys, or dummies may be visible. Use the required route-specific background and keep any support outside 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.

A code is one option in the online application. You can instead upload a suitable own-device digital photo through GOV.UK.

How to Get a UK Passport Photo

Own-device digital route: use a rear camera, have another person take the photo from an appropriate distance, and use a real plain light-coloured background with even lighting. Leave space around the head and shoulders for the application crop.

PhotoPass offers a free unchanged-file check for the published UK minimum dimensions and file-size range. It does not crop, adjust the background, or inspect visual compliance. For an own-device online application, GOV.UK says not to pre-crop because the application provides the crop.

Photo service: some UK photo shops and booths can supply paper photos or a digital photo code. Confirm the current service, price, and route before paying; a provider does not replace HM Passport Office's final decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UK passport photo size?

Printed UK passport photos are 35×45mm. An own-device digital photo must be at least 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels tall and between 50 KB and 10 MB. GOV.UK's public own-device page does not name a required file format.

What is the standard photo size in UK?

The 35×45mm measurement is the UK paper-passport size. Do not apply it as a physical crop to an own-device digital upload; GOV.UK provides the online crop.

What is the Indian passport photo size in UK?

The supported Passport Seva digital route uses a 630×810 JPEG with a white background. Physical packet requirements can vary by the current VFS checklist. Do not substitute a UK paper or digital passport photo.

What is the UK passport photo background colour?

Paper photos require a plain cream or light-grey background. An own-device digital photo requires a plain light-coloured background. GOV.UK does not state a preferred digital shade.

What size photo do I need for HMPO?

For paper applications, the photo is 35×45mm and the head is 29–34mm from chin to crown. For an own-device online application, the digital file is at least 600×750 pixels and 50 KB–10 MB; do not pre-crop it.

Can I use a UK passport photo for an Indian passport application?

No. UK paper, UK digital, and Passport Seva routes publish different background, crop, dimension, and submission rules. Prepare a separate photo for the exact application.

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

For an own-device digital photo, GOV.UK says the background must be plain and light-coloured without naming a preferred shade. For paper photos, the published rule specifically says plain cream or light grey.

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 an own-device online application, the photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall and between 50 KB and 10 MB. GOV.UK does not publish a fixed pre-crop or required format on that page.

What is a UK passport photo code?

A participating photo service can supply a digital code that you enter in the GOV.UK online application instead of uploading an own-device file. Confirm the code and service details with the provider.

Last updated: July 21, 2026. Verify the current paper or digital route on GOV.UK before applying.