Passport Photo Requirements 2026 — Every Country's Rules
Full requirements for 20+ countries: size, background, head position, expression, glasses policy, and what changed in 2026.
Published by ProShoot.io · Updated June 2026 · 12 min read
Passport Photo Requirements — Full Country Table
This table covers the most important specifications for the most commonly requested passports and travel documents. Always verify with the official government source before submitting.
Country
Size (mm)
Size (in)
Background
Head Height
Glasses
Expression
🇺🇸 USA
51×51
2×2"
White / off-white
25–35mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇬🇧 UK
35×45
1.38×1.77"
Cream / light grey
29–34mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇨🇦 Canada
50×70
2×2.75"
Plain white
31–36mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇦🇺 Australia
35×45
1.38×1.77"
White / light grey
32–36mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇩🇪 Germany
35×45
1.38×1.77"
White / light grey
29–34mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇫🇷 France
35×45
1.38×1.77"
Light plain
32–36mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇮🇹 Italy
35×45
1.38×1.77"
White
28–33mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇪🇸 Spain
32×26
1.26×1.02"
White
18–24mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇳🇱 Netherlands
35×45
1.38×1.77"
Light grey
26–34mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇮🇳 India
51×51
2×2"
Plain white
25–35mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇯🇵 Japan
35×45
1.38×1.77"
Plain white
32–36mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇨🇳 China
33×48
1.3×1.89"
White (passport) / Light blue (ID)
28–33mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇧🇷 Brazil
30×40
1.18×1.57"
White
25–32mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇲🇽 Mexico
35×45
1.38×1.77"
White
28–36mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇿🇦 South Africa
35×45
1.38×1.77"
White / off-white
25–35mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇳🇬 Nigeria
35×35
1.38×1.38"
White
25–32mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇵🇭 Philippines
51×51
2×2"
White
25–35mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇸🇬 Singapore
35×45
1.38×1.77"
White
25–35mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇰🇷 South Korea
35×45
1.38×1.77"
White
25–35mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
40×60
1.57×2.36"
White
30–40mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇦🇪 UAE
35×45
1.38×1.77"
White
25–35mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
🇹🇷 Turkey
50×60
1.97×2.36"
White
34–42mm
✗ Not allowed
Neutral
* Head height is measured from chin to crown of head. Requirements may vary for visa applications vs passport applications. See our full size guide for more countries.
Free Passport Photo Generator — Auto-Compliant for Any Country
Select your country and upload your photo. Our AI auto-crops, resizes, adjusts background color, and verifies head size ratio for the country you choose. Works for all countries in the table above.
The US State Department's online passport renewal program (My Selfie) expanded to all eligible adults. Photo is now taken digitally via the app — no physical print required for online applicants.
🇬🇧
UK — Digital Photo Standards Tightened Updated
The UK's online photo submission now requires JPEG files at minimum 600×750px, maximum 6MB. Background must be plain cream or light grey — pure white is now flagged as potentially non-compliant.
🇮🇳
India — E-Passport Digital Photo 2026
India's new e-passport chip stores your facial biometric. Digital photo submissions for e-passports must meet ISO/IEC 19794-5 biometric standards with stricter face symmetry checks.
🇪🇺
EU — Biometric Standardization Updated
EU member states now enforce harmonized biometric facial image standards as part of the Digital Travel Credential initiative. Head centering tolerance has been reduced to ±2%.
🇨🇦
Canada — Digital Submission Pilot 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is piloting digital photo submission for renewals. Physical prints still required for in-person and first-time applications.
🇦🇺
Australia — Smart Gate Photo Updated
Australian passport photos must now meet enhanced biometric standards to work with Smart Gate automated border control. Face must be symmetrically centered with no hair obstructing face outline.
Universal Passport Photo Rules — Every Country
Regardless of which country's passport you're applying for, these rules apply almost universally:
Face & Expression
Eyes open and clearly visible — both eyes must be fully open and looking directly at the camera
Neutral expression — no wide smiles, frowns, or raised eyebrows; a gentle natural expression is acceptable
Mouth closed — for most countries, lips should be closed or barely parted; no showing teeth
Face centered and front-facing — no tilting or turning the head to either side
Eyes & Glasses
No glasses — banned in the US (since 2016), UK, Canada, Australia, and virtually all EU countries. No exceptions for prescription glasses. Tinted/dark lenses absolutely prohibited.
No red-eye — if your photo has red-eye effect, it will be rejected. Fix with a photo editor or retake.
No colored contact lenses — contacts that change eye color are universally prohibited.
Head Coverings
No hats, caps, or head accessories unless worn for documented religious reasons
Religious head coverings are allowed but must not cast shadows on the face and must not cover any facial features
Medical head coverings are allowed with accompanying medical certificate in some countries
Photo Quality
In focus and sharp — no blur, pixelation, or motion blur
Properly exposed — no harsh shadows on face or background, no overexposed ("blown out") areas
No digital manipulation — no filters, skin smoothing, or editing beyond cropping/resizing
Recent photo — most countries require photos taken within the last 6 months
Digital vs Print Passport Photo Requirements
Print Requirements (Physical Photos)
Country
Print Size
Paper Type
Copies Needed
USA
2×2" (51×51mm)
Matte or glossy photo paper
2 photos
UK
35×45mm
Photo paper, not home printer
2 photos
Canada
50×70mm
Photo paper
2 photos
Australia
35×45mm
Photo paper
2 photos
EU (most)
35×45mm
Photo paper
1–2 photos
Digital Requirements (Online Submissions)
Country
Min Resolution
Max File Size
Format
Min DPI
USA (online renewal)
600×600px
11MB
JPEG
300 DPI
UK (online)
600×750px
6MB
JPEG
300 DPI
Canada (pilot)
420×540px
4MB
JPEG
300 DPI
Australia (online)
600×800px
5MB
JPEG
300 DPI
Our free tool automatically outputs photos at the correct resolution and file size for both print and digital use. See the digital passport photo guide for more detail on online submissions.
Country Deep Dives
United States Passport Photo Requirements
US passport photos are governed by the State Department. Key rules for 2026:
Size: 2×2 inches (51×51mm) for print
Head size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25–35mm) from chin to top of head
UK passport photos are issued under His Majesty's Passport Office guidelines. The UK is stricter than most countries on background color — pure white is not standard.
Size: 35×45mm
Background: Cream, off-white or very pale grey (not pure white)
Eyes must be between 29–34mm from the bottom of the photo
No glasses, no tinted lenses
Expression: neutral, or with a slight natural smile
Must be printed by a professional photo developer — home inkjet prints are usually rejected
Canadian Passport Photo Requirements
Canadian passport photos follow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) rules:
Size: 50×70mm (2×2.75 inches) — taller than most countries
Head height: 31–36mm from chin to crown
Background: Plain white
Taken within last 6 months
Must be taken by a professional photographer (first applications)
US passport photos must be 2×2 inches (51×51mm), with a plain white or off-white background. Your head must be between 1–1 3/8 inches from chin to crown. No glasses, no hats. Neutral expression with both eyes open. For online renewal, JPEG format under 11MB.
Did passport photo rules change in 2026?
Key 2026 changes include: the US expanded its digital/online passport renewal program, the UK tightened digital photo file requirements, India introduced stricter biometric standards for e-passports, and EU countries standardized facial image requirements under the Digital Travel Credential initiative.
Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
No. The US banned glasses in 2016. The UK, Australia, Canada, and most EU countries have followed. Very few exceptions exist — a medical certificate may allow tinted lenses for specific eye conditions, but this must be pre-approved by the passport issuing authority.
What is the standard international passport photo size?
There is no single universal size. The most common are 35×45mm (UK, EU, Australia) and 2×2 inch / 51×51mm (US, Canada, Philippines). Always check the specific country you are applying to — sizes vary significantly.
What background color is required for passport photos?
Most countries require a plain white background (US, Canada, India, Japan). The UK requires light cream or pale grey. China uses white for passports and light blue for some ID documents. Never use patterned, dark, or colorful backgrounds.
How do I know if my passport photo is compliant?
Upload your photo to ProShoot's free Passport Photo Generator. Our AI checks dimensions, head size ratio, background color, and exposure automatically and flags any compliance issues before you print or upload.
What passport photo changes took effect in 2025–2026?
Key updates for 2025–2026: India's Passport Seva 2.0 (effective September 1, 2025) standardized photos to 35×45mm and explicitly bans AI-edited photos. The US expanded online passport renewal eligibility. Australia Post increased passport photo prices to approximately $23.50 from July 2026. Canada's IRCC updated guidance to explicitly prohibit AI-enhanced photos. The UK digital photo code system through approved vendors is now widely available for online applications.
Which countries ban AI-edited passport photos in 2026?
Most major countries now explicitly ban AI-edited or AI-generated passport photos: the US (State Department rules), Canada (IRCC), India (Passport Seva 2.0), Australia (passport office), and the UK (HM Passport Office) all require unaltered photos without AI face enhancement. Tools that only replace the background — without altering facial features — remain compliant.