Passport Photo Size Requirements — Complete Guide for Every Country

Quick Reference — Passport Photo Sizes by Country

Every country has its own specific requirements for passport and visa photos. Below is a complete reference table with dimensions in millimeters, inches, and pixels (at 300 DPI, the standard for print-quality photos).

Asia-Pacific

• India Passport: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. White background. Face should occupy 70-80% of the photo.
• China Visa: 33 x 48 mm (1.30 x 1.89 in) — 390 x 567 px at 300 DPI. White or light blue background. Taken within last 6 months.
• Japan Passport: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. White background. Head height 32-36mm.
• South Korea Passport: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. White background. Taken within last 6 months.
• Australia Passport: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. White or light grey background. Head height 32-36mm.
• Singapore Passport: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. White background. Face centered.
• Thailand Passport: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. White background.

Europe (Schengen & UK)

• UK Passport: 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. Light grey or cream background. Head height 29-34mm.
• Schengen Visa (EU): 35 x 45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. White background. Applies to France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Greece, and all Schengen area countries.
• Germany Passport: 35 x 45 mm — 413 x 531 px. White background. Biometric photo required.
• France Passport: 35 x 45 mm — 413 x 531 px. White background. Taken within last 6 months.

Americas

• US Visa / Passport: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) — 600 x 600 px at 300 DPI. White background. Head size 1-1.375 inches (25-35mm).
• Canada Passport: 50 x 70 mm (1.97 x 2.76 in) — 591 x 827 px at 300 DPI. White background. Head height 31-36mm.
• Brazil Passport: 35 x 45 mm — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. White background.

Middle East & Africa

• UAE Passport/Visa: 40 x 60 mm (1.57 x 2.36 in) — 472 x 708 px at 300 DPI. White background. Face should be clearly visible.
• Saudi Arabia Visa: 40 x 60 mm — 472 x 708 px at 300 DPI. White background.
• South Africa Passport: 35 x 45 mm — 413 x 531 px at 300 DPI. Light background.

Head Size and Position Requirements

Most countries require that your head (from chin to crown) occupies a specific portion of the photo. The general rule is that your head should take up 70-80% of the total photo height. Specific requirements vary:

• US: Head height 1-1.375 inches (25-35mm), centered vertically
• UK: Head height 29-34mm, crown to chin measurement
• Schengen: Head height 32-36mm, face centered
• Canada: Head height 31-36mm, natural head position
• Australia: Head height 32-36mm, face centered in frame

Your eyes should generally be positioned at 60-70% from the bottom of the photo. Both ears should be visible (unless covered for religious reasons). The expression should be neutral with eyes open and mouth closed.

Background Color Requirements

Background requirements vary by country, but the most common options are:

• White: Required by India, US, Canada, China, Japan, South Korea, UAE, and most Schengen countries
• Light grey or cream: Accepted by UK passports
• Light blue: Accepted by some countries for visa photos

The background should be plain, with no patterns, shadows, or other objects visible. Ensure even lighting to avoid shadows on the background or your face.

Digital vs Print Passport Photos

For online applications, most portals require digital photos with specific file size limits:

• India: 20KB-200KB depending on the portal (Aadhaar: 20KB-50KB)
• US: 240KB maximum for online DS-11 form
• UK: Up to 10MB but recommended under 500KB
• Canada: Under 4MB for online applications
• Australia: 500KB-1MB recommended

For print photos, 300 DPI is the universal standard. This ensures the photo prints at the correct physical dimensions with sharp, clear quality. A 413x531 pixel image at 300 DPI prints exactly at 35x45mm — the standard passport photo size used in most countries.

How to Take a Perfect Passport Photo at Home

Taking a passport photo at home is easier than you think. Follow these tips for the best results:

• Lighting: Use soft, even lighting. Natural light from a window works best. Avoid harsh shadows on your face or background.
• Camera distance: Stand about 1.5 meters (5 feet) from the camera. Have someone else take the photo — selfies are not accepted.
• Background: Hang a white bedsheet or stand against a white wall. Ensure no wrinkles or shadows.
• Expression: Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed. No smiling (required for biometric photos).
• Headwear: Religious headwear is allowed in most countries. Otherwise, no hats, caps, or sunglasses.
• Glasses: Most countries now require glasses to be removed for passport photos.

Common Reasons Passport Photos Get Rejected

According to passport offices worldwide, the most common reasons for photo rejection are:

• Incorrect dimensions or aspect ratio
• Wrong background color (not white when white is required)
• Photo too old (most countries require photos taken within the last 6 months)
• Overexposed or underexposed lighting
• Face partially obscured by hair, shadows, or accessories
• Smiling or unnatural expression
• Low resolution or pixelated image
• Incorrect DPI (not 300 DPI for print)
• File size too large or too small for digital submission

How OptiDrop Helps with Passport Photos

OptiDrop's 300 DPI Photo Resizer makes passport photo preparation effortless:

• One-click presets for India, US, UK, Schengen, Canada, Australia, UAE, China, Japan, and South Korea
• 300 DPI output for print-ready quality
• Exact pixel dimensions matching each country's requirements
• Center-crop algorithm that automatically adjusts your photo to the correct aspect ratio
• 100% private — your photos never leave your browser
• Free with no watermarks — download unlimited photos

Need to compress your passport photo to meet a portal's file size limit? Use our Image Compressor to reduce the file size to exactly the KB limit required (20KB, 50KB, 100KB, etc.).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common passport photo size worldwide?

35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI) is the most widely used passport photo size. It's the standard for India, UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, and all Schengen countries. The US is a notable exception with its 2x2 inch (600x600 px) requirement.

Do I need 300 DPI for digital passport photos?

For online applications, DPI is less important than pixel dimensions and file size. However, 300 DPI is essential if you plan to print the photo. OptiDrop sets 300 DPI by default so your photo works for both digital and print use.

Can I use the same passport photo for multiple countries?

Only if the countries have the same size requirements. For example, India, UK, Japan, and Australia all use 35x45mm, so one photo works for all. But you'd need a separate 600x600px photo for US applications.

How recent must my passport photo be?

Most countries require the photo to be taken within the last 6 months. Some countries accept photos up to 12 months old. Always check the specific requirements of the country you're applying to.