🇬🇧 United Kingdom
United Kingdom passport & visa photo requirements
UK passport photos use 35×45 mm with a tighter chin-to-crown band (29–34 mm) than many Schengen examples you see online.
Read more
UK passport photos use 35×45 mm with a tighter chin-to-crown band (29–34 mm) than many Schengen examples you see online. UKVI digital visa uploads add pixel and file-size windows on top of the print spec. Our UK hub reflects gov.uk guidance last verified 2026-08-18.
UK Passport
35×45 mm · light grey bg
UK Visa
35×45 mm · light grey bg
UK passport vs UK visa
Both documents share the 35×45 mm print size and light background, but UKVI digital submissions require at least 600×750 px JPEG between 50 KB and 6…
- UK Passport (HMPO) — cream or light grey background; no smile; glasses not allowed
- UK Visa (UKVI) — digital upload path plus printed 35×45 mm where centres request paper
More details
Both documents share the 35×45 mm print size and light background, but UKVI digital submissions require at least 600×750 px JPEG between 50 KB and 6 MB with a plain light background.
Head size — do not confuse with Schengen
HMPO requires 29–34 mm chin-to-crown on a 45 mm tall photo.
More details
HMPO requires 29–34 mm chin-to-crown on a 45 mm tall photo. That is a larger head fraction than the 32–36 mm Schengen examples often copied into blog posts. PicsForm applies the UK-specific band, not a generic EU crop.
Digital upload checklist
- Minimum 600×750 px JPEG
- 50 KB–6 MB file size
- Plain light background (no patterns or furniture)
- Taken within the last 30 days for most applications
- No filters or heavy retouching
UK Passport
- · Size: 35×45 mm (413×531 px @ 300 DPI)
- · Head height: 64–76% of frame height
- · Eye line: 55–70% from bottom
- · Background: light grey (#F0F0F0)
- · Smile: not allowed — neutral expression
UK Visa
- · Size: 35×45 mm (413×531 px @ 300 DPI)
- · Head height: 64–76% of frame height
- · Eye line: 55–70% from bottom
- · Background: light grey (#F0F0F0)
- · Smile: not allowed — neutral expression
FAQ
Can I take a UK passport photo at home?
Yes — HMPO accepts home-taken digital photos if they meet size, background, and expression rules. Use even daylight facing a plain wall, then run the image through PicsForm before uploading.
Is a white background OK for UK photos?
HMPO prefers cream or light grey. Pure white can work if evenly lit, but off-white tones reduce shadow contrast against the background.
PicsForm matches photos to published requirements. This is not legal or immigration advice and does not guarantee application approval. Always confirm current rules on the official portal.