UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – Size, Background & Rules

📐 UK Passport Photo Specifications

Specification	Required Value
Photo Size	35 × 45 mm 1.38 × 1.77 inches
Digital Dimensions	413 × 531 pixels minimum
Resolution	300 DPI
File Format	JPEG
File Size	50 KB – 10 MB (online) / 600×750 px minimum
Background	Light grey or cream (not white) No white
Face Coverage	Face height 29–34 mm (70–80% of photo)
Glasses	Not allowed (banned since 2018)
Photo Recency	Within last 1 month
Face height	29–34 mm within photo
Eye position	29–35 mm from bottom of photo
Crown position	0–4 mm from top of photo
Digital upload	600×750 px minimum, JPEG, 50 KB–10 MB
White background	NOT accepted — must be light grey or cream
Expression	Neutral, mouth closed
Headwear	Not allowed (except religious)
Issuing Authority	HM Passport Office (HMPO)

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✅ Photo Rules — What Is Required

Photo taken Within last 1 month
Neutral facial expression, mouth closed
Both eyes open and clearly visible
Light grey or cream (not white) background — no patterns or shadows
Face centred and occupying 70–80% of photo) of the photo
Head upright, looking directly at the camera
Even lighting — no shadows on face
High quality, in focus — minimum 300 DPI
Not allowed (banned since 2018)
No headwear (except religious with documentation)
No digital filters, beauty effects, or editing
No shadows behind the head

🚫 Common Reasons for Photo Rejection

Photo older than 1 month (UK is stricter than most countries)
White background — UK requires light grey or cream, not white
Dark or patterned background
Wearing glasses (banned since 2018)
Shadows on face or background
Smiling or mouth open
Head tilted, turned, or not looking at camera
Face too close to edge of photo
Face too small or too large
Red eye or flash reflection
Edited or digitally altered photo
Photo sent via WhatsApp — compression causes quality failure

📸 How to Take a Compliant Photo at Home

Stand against a plain light grey wall with even lighting from a window in front of you
Use your phone's rear camera on a tripod or rested surface — never a selfie camera
Keep the camera at eye level — not above or below
Ensure no shadows appear on your face or the background
Remove glasses before taking the photo
Wear dark clothing — it stands out from the grey background
Do not use portrait mode, filters, or beauty correction
Do not take in a room with coloured walls behind you
Do not take in low light or with a light source behind you

Upload your photo — we crop it to the exact 35 × 45 mm size automatically.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What size is a UK passport photo? +

35×45 mm (1.38×1.77 inches). For digital upload via the HMPO online service, the minimum is 600×750 pixels, JPEG format, between 50 KB and 10 MB. The face must be 29–34 mm in height within the photo.

Why does the UK not accept a white background? +

HMPO requires a plain light grey or cream background — not pure white. This is one of the most common mistakes made by people submitting UK passport photos. The automated checking system can struggle to distinguish the face edges against a pure white background. A light-coloured but clearly non-white wall works best.

Why does the UK require photos taken within 1 month? +

The UK tightened its recency rule to 1 month in 2025, stricter than most countries. HMPO states the photo must be a true likeness and taken very recently to reflect your current appearance accurately for biometric matching at border control.

Are glasses allowed in UK passport photos? +

No. HMPO banned all glasses in passport photos in 2018 with no medical exceptions. Prescription glasses, reading glasses, and tinted lenses must all be removed before the photo is taken.

Can I take a UK passport photo at home? +

Yes. Stand against a plain light grey wall (not white) in even natural light from a window in front of you. Use the rear camera at eye level, ensure no shadows on face or background, and disable all filters and portrait mode. The photo must have been taken within the last month.

What documents use the same UK photo size? +

The 35×45 mm format applies to UK passports, visa applications, Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), and most UK visa applications from overseas. All use light grey or cream background.