United Kingdom passport and visa photo requirements
The passport photo and the visa photo are separate rules, for different people. Every figure below was read on an official United Kingdom government page; the page and the date are beside it. "Not stated" means the page does not say, and we will not fill the gap.
United Kingdom passport photo
For United Kingdom's own citizens applying for or renewing a United Kingdom passport.
- Printed size
- 45 mm high x 35 mm wide gov.uk · read
- Digital size
- min 600 px wide x 750 px tall gov.uk · read
- Head size
- 29-34 mm crown to chin (printed photos) gov.uk · read
- Eye line
- Not stated on the official page
- Background
- Digital: plain light-coloured. Printed: plain cream or light grey gov.uk · read
- Glasses
- Only if you have to; no sunglasses or tinted glasses; eyes not covered by frames, glare, reflection or shadow gov.uk · read
- Digital file
- 50 KB to 10 MB, in colour (format not stated) gov.uk · read
- How recent
- taken in the last month gov.uk · read
Official page: gov.uk
United Kingdom visa photo
For visitors applying for a visa or permit to travel to United Kingdom.
- Printed size
- Not stated on the official page
- Digital size
- min 600 px wide x 750 px tall gov.uk · read
- Head size
- Not stated on the official page
- Eye line
- Not stated on the official page
- Background
- plain light-coloured gov.uk · read
- Glasses
- Only if you have to; no sunglasses or tinted glasses; eyes must be seen clearly gov.uk · read
- Digital file
- jpg or jpeg, 50 KB to 6 MB, in colour, vertically orientated gov.uk · read
- How recent
- Not stated on the official page
Official page: gov.uk
A photo that matches every published figure can still be refused. The issuing authority decides, at the time you apply.
Newest read 4 October 2026. Check every figure against the government page.