Passport Photo Requirements for Different Countries

A rejected passport photo means a wasted trip and a delayed application. The rules aren't hard, but they differ by country and document — the size, the background, and how your face is positioned all matter. Here's a practical reference.

Common sizes at a glance

• United States (passport & most visas): 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), square.
• India (passport): 35 × 45 mm.
• United Kingdom & most of Europe: 35 × 45 mm.
• Schengen visa: 35 × 45 mm.
• China (visa): 33 × 48 mm.

Rules that trip people up

• Background: usually plain white or light grey, evenly lit with no shadows.
• Head size and position: your head must fill a specific portion of the frame — too close or too far both fail.
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, looking straight at the camera.
• No glasses in most countries now, no hats (except for religious reasons), and no heavy shadows.
• Print quality: photos must be printed at 300 DPI on photo paper for a crisp result.

Print smart: fit several on one sheet

Print shops charge per sheet, so it pays to tile multiple copies onto a single 4×6 or A4 print. A good passport-photo tool lets you pick the country preset, crop your face to the exact size at 300 DPI, and lay out several copies with cutting guides — so you can print at home or at any kiosk and cut them out cleanly.

Always double-check the exact requirement on your government's official page before you submit — presets are based on common standards, but specific documents occasionally differ.