Passport Photo Requirements by Country 2026: Complete Size Chart
Passport photo requirements vary significantly between countries. A photo that works for a US passport will be rejected for a UK or Indian passport, and Canada uses a unique size that no other country accepts. This guide compares the official 2026 requirements across all major destinations, including print sizes, digital pixel dimensions, background colours, and biometric rules.
Quick Comparison Chart
| Country | Print Size | Head Height | Background | Digital Pixels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | 25-35 mm | White/Off-white | 600-1200 square |
| United Kingdom | 35 x 45 mm | 29-34 mm | Light grey/Cream | 600 x 750 min |
| Canada | 50 x 70 mm | 31-36 mm | White | 420 x 540 min |
| France | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm | Light grey | 420 x 525 min |
| Germany | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm | Light grey | 420 x 525 min |
| Spain | 26 x 32 mm (unique) | 25-30 mm | White/Light grey | 420 x 525 min |
| Japan | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm | White/Light | 480 x 600 min |
| South Korea | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm | White | 413 x 531 min |
| China | 33 x 48 mm | 28-33 mm | White | 354 x 472 min |
| India | 2 x 2 in (51 x 51 mm) | 25-35 mm | White | 350 x 350 min |
| Australia | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm | Light | 900 x 1125 min |
| Brazil | 5 x 7 cm (50 x 70 mm) | 32-36 mm | White | 600 x 840 min |
| Ireland | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm | White/Light grey | 715 x 951 min |
| Russia | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm | White | 300 DPI |
| South Africa | 35 x 45 mm | 32-36 mm | White | 600 x 750 min |
The Three Main Size Standards
Most countries fall into one of three categories:
1. International ICAO Standard: 35 x 45 mm
The most common format worldwide, used by:
- All European Union countries
- United Kingdom
- Ireland
- Japan
- South Korea
- Australia
- Most African and South American countries
This is the “standard” international size that works for Schengen visas, most Commonwealth countries, and the majority of international travel.
2. US-Style: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) Square
Used by:
- United States
- India
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Some Middle Eastern countries
The square format is designed for a specific head-to-photo ratio (head between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches) rather than the portrait orientation used elsewhere.
3. Canadian Standard: 50 x 70 mm
Only Canada uses this unique size, which is why Canadian passport photos cannot be substituted with US or European sizes.
Background Color Differences
Background requirements vary more than you might expect:
- Pure white: United States, Canada, China, India, Brazil, South Korea, Australia
- Light grey or cream: United Kingdom, Germany, Ireland (preferred)
- Light grey only: France (ANTS explicitly requires grey, not white)
- Sky blue: China visa photos (passport is white)
If you are applying for a French passport with a white-background photo, it will be rejected. France specifically requires the light grey ANTS-compliant background.
Glasses Policies Across Countries
Most countries have moved to no glasses policies, but not all at the same time:
- No glasses allowed: USA (2016), UK (2016), Canada (2016), France (2016), Germany (2020), Australia (strict in 2024), Ireland (recommended off)
- Glasses allowed with strict rules (no glare, no tint, no thick frames): Japan, South Korea, China, Brazil, India, most Asian countries
Medical exceptions exist everywhere, typically requiring a doctor’s note.
Photo Age Requirements
- Strictest (1 month): None officially, but UK HMPO prefers very recent
- 6 months: US, UK, Canada, France, Japan, Korea, Australia, Brazil, Ireland, most countries
- 3 months: Some East Asian countries for visa photos
- Always current: The photo must reflect your current appearance regardless of stated window
If you’ve had a significant change (new hairstyle, major weight change, new facial hair), take a new photo even if your current one is within the window.
Smile Rules
- No smile, mouth closed: Required by virtually all countries for passport photos.
- Slight smile tolerated: US passport photos officially allow “natural smile” but automated systems often reject them.
- Smile occasionally allowed: Some visa photos (Japan, Korea non-biometric visa) are more lenient.
Default rule: always go with a completely neutral expression. It works for every country.
Digital Photo Requirements
Most countries now accept digital photo uploads for online applications. Key differences:
- File format: JPEG universal; PNG sometimes accepted
- File size limits: Range from 20 KB (US DS-160) to 10 MB (UK HMPO)
- Minimum pixel dimensions: Range from 300 x 300 (India) to 900 x 1125 (Australia)
- Color depth: 24-bit sRGB required everywhere
- EXIF data: Some countries (Korea, China) check for filter metadata
Special Cases to Watch For
Spain — Unusual 26 x 32 mm Size
Spain uses a uniquely small format (26 x 32 mm) inherited from the DNI (national ID) system. Most international photo booths can produce this size, but verify before ordering.
Brazil — 5 x 7 cm Format
Brazilian passport photos are 5 x 7 cm (50 x 70 mm) — the same dimensions as Canadian passports but with different aspect ratio treatment.
China — Different Sizes for Passport vs. Visa
- Chinese passport: 33 x 48 mm with white background.
- Chinese visa: 33 x 48 mm with light blue background (unique in the world).
Schengen Visa — Different from Individual EU Passports
Schengen visas (issued by France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.) use 35 x 45 mm with a light-coloured background. Technically less strict than French ANTS passport rules.
How to Choose the Right Photo for Your Application
- Identify the issuing country — is it a passport from country X, or a visa to country X?
- Check the specific size and background — don’t assume Commonwealth countries all match.
- Verify digital dimensions if applying online.
- Consider the photo age — take a new one if uncertain.
- Use a country-specific tool like our passport photo maker to avoid manual cropping errors.
Common Cross-Country Mistakes
- Using a US 2x2 photo for a UK or EU passport (wrong size).
- Using a UK photo for a Canadian passport (wrong size).
- Using a white-background photo for a French passport (wrong colour).
- Using an Indian 2x2 photo for a Schengen visa (wrong size).
- Using a Canadian 50x70mm photo for a Canadian work permit (work permits need 35x45mm).
- Using a K-ETA square photo for a Korean passport (different aspect ratios).
Our Country-Specific Passport Photo Tools
Avoid size and background errors with tools built for each country’s exact specifications:
- US passport photo — 2x2 inches
- UK passport photo — 35x45mm with light background
- Canada passport photo — 50x70mm
- France passport photo — 35x45mm with ANTS light grey
- Japan passport photo — 35x45mm MOFA compliant
- Korea passport photo — 35x45mm with no filter
- Germany passport photo — 35x45mm biometric
- Spain passport photo — 26x32mm unique size
- China passport photo — 33x48mm
- Australia visa photo — 35x45mm ImmiAccount
Each tool automatically applies the correct size, background colour, and validation rules for that country.
Next Steps
Whatever country you’re applying to, get the size right the first time. Browse our complete country directory to find the exact passport or visa photo specifications for your destination. All tools run entirely in your browser for complete privacy — no photo ever uploaded to the cloud.