UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026

Written and fact-checked by the PassportLayout team · Last verified: 7 July 2026

Official requirements from His Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO), checked against the source on the date above.

Photo Dimensions

GOV.UK specifies that UK passport photos must measure exactly 35 mm wide and 45 mm tall — the standard size produced by photo booths in the UK — and must not be a cut-down version of a larger picture. This rectangular format is shared with most European and Commonwealth countries and follows the ICAO biometric photo standard. The photo must be taken with you facing the camera directly and must be clear, in focus, and in colour.

The photo must be printed to a professional standard on plain white photographic paper with no border. The print must be undamaged — no creases or tears — and unmarked on both sides, unless a photo needs to be countersigned.

Face and Head Size Requirements

Within the 35×45 mm frame, the image of you — measured from the crown of your head to your chin — must be between 29 mm and 34 mm high, per the official HMPO photo rules. This represents roughly 65–75% of the total photo height, a tighter tolerance band than the US requirement.

Your face must be centred in the frame with an equal amount of space above the head and below the chin. The HMPO automated checking system measures face proportion precisely, so photos with faces slightly too small or too large will be automatically rejected.

Background Requirements

The UK has a specific and often misunderstood background requirement: GOV.UK requires printed photos to be taken against a plain cream or light grey background, with you in clear contrast to it. Unlike the US, a pure white background is not the standard and may be flagged by HMPO's automated photo-checking system. The background must be uniform with no patterns, shadows, or objects visible.

For people with very light skin or very light hair, ensuring sufficient contrast against the cream/grey background is important. Shooting against a slightly off-white or very pale grey wall or card typically produces the best results.

Expression and Pose

You must have a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Both eyes must be open and visible. Looking directly at the camera is mandatory. The HMPO guidance explicitly states no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. Babies and toddlers are exempt from the neutral expression requirement and are allowed to have their mouth slightly open.

Your head must be held straight — not tilted, turned, or leaning. Both ears should be equally visible when possible. Your hair should not obscure your face or eyes.

Glasses Policy

The official guidance is blunt: do not wear glasses in your photo unless you have to do so. If you genuinely must wear glasses — for example for medical reasons — they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses, and your eyes must not be covered by the frames or by any glare, reflection, or shadow on the lenses. In practice, the safest approach is simply to remove them, since glasses are one of the most common causes of photo rejection. This strictness aligns with the ICAO biometric standards used at border control.

Head Coverings

Head coverings are only permitted if worn for religious or medical reasons. The full face must be clearly visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead. The covering must not cast shadows on the face. Fashion head coverings, hats, and head bands are not allowed.

Photo Recency and Quality

The photo must have been taken within the last month. You must also get a new photo every time you apply for a new passport — including renewals — even if your appearance has not changed. The photo must be in colour (black and white photos are not accepted), properly exposed (not too light or dark), and free of red-eye.

Digital Photo Requirements

For online passport applications, digital photos must meet these requirements:

• Format: JPEG
• Minimum dimensions: 600 × 750 pixels
• File size: at least 50 KB and no more than 10 MB
• Aspect ratio: 35:45 (7:9)
• Colour: sRGB, not CMYK

Complete Specifications Table

Common Rejection Reasons

• Background too white (should be cream or light grey)
• Shadows visible on the background behind the subject
• Face proportion outside the 29–34 mm requirement
• Glasses glare, or frames covering the eyes
• Smiling or non-neutral expression
• Photo taken more than 1 month ago
• Red-eye visible
• Hair covering the face or eyes
• Photo is blurry, over-exposed, or under-exposed

Tips for Taking a UK Passport Photo at Home

The key to a successful UK passport photo at home is the background. Avoid stark white walls — use a very slightly off-white wall, or tape a sheet of light grey card behind you. Stand at least 1 metre away from the background so shadows don't fall on it.

Shoot in diffused daylight near a window, but avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows. Have someone take the photo at eye level rather than using a selfie. After shooting, use PassportLayout.online to position your face correctly at 29–34 mm height within the 35×45 mm frame.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• GOV.UK — Get a passport photo — official photo specifications (verified 7 July 2026)
• ICAO Doc 9303 — Machine Readable Travel Documents — international biometric portrait standard