Quick checklist
- Recent photo, usually taken in the last 6 months
- Front-facing, head straight, both eyes open
- Neutral expression or a very slight natural smile, depending on the country
- Plain white, off-white or light background with no shadows
- No glare on glasses (or no glasses at all)
- No hat; religious or medical head coverings only if your face stays fully visible
- Sharp, in focus, not blurry or grainy
- No filters, retouching or heavy editing
Size and framing
The picture size depends on the country, for example 2 × 2 inch for the US or 35 × 45 mm for the UK and Australia. Your head should fill most of the frame with some space above it. See the size table in cm, inches and pixels.
Digital upload requirements
Online applications usually want a JPG within a file-size limit and a minimum pixel size. Crop with the passport photo maker, then use the compress tool if the file is too large.
Common reasons for rejection
Shadows on the face or wall, glasses glare, a smile that is too wide, a photo that is too dark or blurry, wrong size, and edited backgrounds.
Check the official page
Each office has its own current rules, so confirm them on the official government site. PicFitter sizes and crops your photo but cannot guarantee acceptance. More detail: general passport photo requirements and the US checklist.
A quick self-check for your passport picture
- Face centred and straight to the camera.
- Eyes open, level and clearly visible, mouth closed.
- No shadows on the face, neck or background.
- Plain light background with no objects or patterns.
- Natural skin tone, no filters, no retouching.
- Sharp focus, with no blur, grain or visible pixels.
- Correct size and head size for your country.
Camera and light tips that make a difference
Sit or stand facing a window with daylight on your face, about one metre from a plain wall. Hold the phone at eye level and use the back camera, because front cameras distort the face. Do not use flash. Take several photos and choose the sharpest one.
Fixing a photo that is almost right
If the photo is good but the framing is wrong, crop it with the passport photo maker for your country: move the picture so the top of the head and chin sit inside the guide. If the background is messy, use the ID photo background changer to put the face on plain white, then check the edges. Remember that some offices reject photos with an edited background, so read their rules first.
Print or digital?
For a printed photo, you need the exact paper size at 300 dpi, printed on photo paper. For a digital upload, you need the right pixel size, a JPG and a file below the limit. The two are different, so check which one your office asks for. Our size guide in cm, inches and pixels shows both.
If your photo is rejected
Read the reason carefully, retake the photo with better light and a plainer wall, and submit again. Common fixes are removing glasses, moving away from the wall to avoid shadows, and keeping a neutral expression.
Questions
What are the passport picture requirements?
A recent, sharp, front-facing picture with a plain light background, a neutral expression and no shadows or filters, in the size your country requires.
Can I use a phone camera for a passport picture?
Yes, with good daylight, a plain wall and the back camera held at eye level.
Can I edit the background of my passport picture?
Many offices do not accept edited photos, so use a plain wall when you take it. Edit only if the rules allow it.
What is the difference between a printed and digital passport photo?
Printed photos need exact physical size on photo paper. Digital photos need exact pixels, JPG format and a file under the size limit.