Make United Kingdom Passport / Visa Photo Online

How idPhotoDIY works

Step 1: Take passport photo using smart phone or digital camera.

  • Take the photo in front of a plain background such as white wall or screen.
  • Make sure that there are no other objects in the background.
  • Make sure there are no shadows on your face or on the background.
  • Position the camera in the same height as the head.
  • Shoulders should be visible, and there should be enough space around the head for cropping the photo.

Step 2: Upload the photo to make passport size photo.

Upload photo to make United Kingdom visa photo

Click here if you want to make passport / visa photos for other countries.

Passport Photo Size and Requirements

  • Passport photo must be measured 45 millimetres (mm) high by 35mm wide (the standard size used in photo booths in the UK).
  • Head size must be between 29 mm and 34 mm.

UK passport photo outline

Example Photos

UK passport photo

Passport Photo for Babied and Children

Children must be on their own in the picture. Babies must not be holding toys or using dummies.

Children under 6 do not have to be looking directly at the camera or have a plain expression.

Children under one do not have to have their eyes open. You can support their head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the photo.

Other Passport / Visa Photo Rules, Guidelines, and Specifications

Printed Passport Photo

  • You need 2 identical printed photos if you are applying for a passport using a paper form.
  • You need either printed or digital photos if you’re applying online. You’ll be told as you start your application what type of photo you need.
  • You must get a new photo when you get a new passport, even if your appearance has not changed.
  • Your photo must have been taken in the last month.
  • Your application will be delayed if your photos do not meet the rules.

Digital Passport Photo

The quality of your digital photo

Your photo must be:

  • clear and in focus
  • in colour
  • unaltered by computer software
  • at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
  • at least 50KB and no more than 10MB

What your digital photo must show

The digital photo must:

  • contain no other objects or people
  • be taken against a plain light-coloured background
  • be in clear contrast to the background
  • not have ‘red eye’

If you’re using a photo taken during your application, include your head, shoulders and upper body. Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you.

In your photo you must:

  • be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
  • have a plain expression and your mouth closed
  • have your eyes open and visible
  • not have hair in front of your eyes
  • not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
  • not have anything covering your face
  • not have any shadows on your face or behind you

Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses. If you wear glasses that you cannot take off, your eyes must be visible without any glare or reflections.

References

How to make UK Passport / Visa photo at home


Step 1: Use a digital camera or a smartphone

Find someone to take the photo for you and selfie photo is not acceptable for passport photo application. If you have a tripod, use it. A tripod will make it easier to keep the camera steady and level. The distance of the person to the camera should be around 1 meter.

Step 2: Find a venue with good lighting

When taking photo, you should face the light, such as a nice bright window or the door. This can provide even lighting to avoid shadows on the face and background. The face must be evenly lit. There should be no shadows and glares on the face.

Note: No need to worry about the background as our online passport photo generator will automatically remove or change the background for you.

unacceptable passport photo

Step 3: Wear properly for your passport photo

Do not wear uniforms. Wear regular street clothes in your photo.

Do not wear eyeglasses. If you wear glasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses, take them off for your passport photo.

Your face must still be fully visible.  Don’t let your hair drape over your face and obscure your eyes. If you have very long bangs that cover your eyebrows, you should pin them back with bobby pins. It’s best if your ears show, as well, but that won’t cause your photo to be rejected.

No hats are allowed in passport photos unless it is religious headgear such as a headscarf or yarmulke that you wear every day.

acceptable passport photo

Step 4: Pose for a passport

Look straight towards the camera with face straight on. Head should not be tilted or rotated.

Both ears showing or both edges of the face visible if hair covers the ears.

Shoulders should be visible, and there should be enough space around the head for cropping the photo.

Position the camera in the same height as the head.

unacceptable passport photo

unacceptable passport photo

Step 5: Have a neutral facial expression

You can smile in your passport photos, but the government prefers that you have a neutral facial expression.

Smiling or having your mouth open is usually not acceptable, especially under the new international passport rules.

acceptable passport photo

Unacceptable passport photo

 

Good and bad examples of passport photos

Example of passport photos

Printed passport photos

Online Passport Photo Generator

Is this document useful?

This document is rated 4.9 / 5 - 24 Votes