What size is a UK passport photo?

UK passport photos must be 35×45mm (3.5×4.5cm) with the face from chin to crown measuring 29–34mm. Light grey or cream background (NOT pure white). Print at 600 DPI on photo paper. Two identical prints required for paper applications; digital JPEG for online via gov.uk/apply-renew-passport.

Why does the UK passport photo use a light grey or cream background instead of white?

HM Passport Office spec (since 2016) explicitly requires "light grey or cream" — pure white washes out chin/forehead contour and degrades the digital chip readability. This differs from US passport (white) and Schengen (white or light grey). Snap2Pass auto-applies the correct UK background when you select "UK Passport".

Can I use my UK passport photo at a Post Office Check & Send appointment?

Yes. Post Office Check & Send (£16) accepts photos that meet the HMPO 35×45mm + light grey background + 29–34mm head height spec. Bring 2 identical Snap2Pass-validated prints. Snap2Pass photos work at every UK Post Office across the country.

How is the UK passport photo different from the UK visa photo?

Same physical specification (35×45mm + light grey background + 29–34mm head). Different submission: UK passport goes to HMPO; UK visa (post-Brexit) goes via UKVI/IAS through Home Office. The digital upload specs are also identical (240×320 to 1500×2000 px JPEG).

What size does a UK passport photo need to be?

Printed UK passport photos must be 35mm wide by 45mm high, with your head measuring between 29mm and 34mm from chin to crown. For digital photos submitted online, the image must be at least 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels tall.

Can I wear glasses in my UK passport photo?

You should not wear glasses in your UK passport photo unless you have a medical reason and cannot remove them. If you must wear them, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted, and your eyes must be fully visible with no glare or reflections.

What background colour is required for a UK passport photo?

Your UK passport photo must have a plain, light-coloured background — ideally light grey or cream. There should be no objects, patterns, or other people visible behind you.

What are the digital photo requirements for online passport renewal?

For online applications, you need a digital photo in JPEG or PNG format, at least 600x750 pixels. The photo must be in colour, taken within the last month, and must not be edited or retouched in any way.

Can I smile or open my mouth in a UK passport photo?

No. You must have a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows are not allowed. You should look straight at the camera with your eyes open.

What are the rules for baby and children's passport photos?

Children under 6 do not need to have a neutral expression or look directly at the camera. Babies under 1 do not need to have their eyes open. The child must be alone in the photo with no toys or dummies visible.

How recent does my UK passport photo need to be?

Your photo must have been taken within the last month. You must get a new photo each time you apply for a passport, even if your appearance has not changed.

Snap2Pass is an online tool that turns your phone photo into a passport or visa photo in seconds. It removes the background, resizes and crops the image to official specs—no studio visit needed.

Are the passport and visa photos created with Snap2Pass accepted by official agencies?

Yes. Our photos meet official standards—thousands have already been accepted worldwide.

How does Snap2Pass work?

How it works: - Upload your photo. - Our AI erases the background and resizes it. - Download the ready image in under 5 seconds. Retry until you love it—free.

What formats can I receive my passport or visa photo in?

You receive a high-resolution JPEG—perfect for online forms and printing.

What file types are supported, and how can I convert my photo?

Upload JPG or PNG. Need to convert HEIC or WEBP? - Mac: Preview → File → Export → JPG/PNG - Windows: Paint → File → Save As → JPG/PNG - Phone: use "Save As" or any image-converter app - Or a free site like iloveimg.com

What is the AI Expert Review Service?

Our AI analyzes every photo instantly for compliance. If something is wrong, we tell you what to fix. Reviews complete in seconds.

When will I receive my photos and the AI review results?

Download your photo instantly. AI analysis appears immediately with your results.

What happens if the AI Expert Review Service identifies a problem with my photo?

You see the issues instantly on screen and can upload a new shot—free of charge.

How long does it take to get my passport or visa photo with Snap2Pass?

Processing takes under 5 seconds.

Yes. Preview is free—pay only if you're happy.

Do you provide photo prints?

We don't mail prints. If you're in the US, see [this guide](/guides/printing-your-passport-photos-amazon-photo-vs-walgreens) to print locally.

Is it safe to use Snap2Pass?

Yes. We use modern encryption and never share your data.

How do I pay for Snap2Pass services?

Payments go through Stripe. Pay with any major credit or debit card over an encrypted connection.

Is there a money-back guarantee if my passport or visa photo is not accepted by the official agency?

Yes. If an agency rejects the photo, we refund you.

UK Passport Photo

Name: UK Passport Photo
Brand: Snap2Pass
SKU: uk-passport-photo
Price: 9.95 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (250 reviews)

99.8% Acceptance Rate · Guaranteed

Take a selfie at home. We create a digital uk passport photo with 35×45mm, required background, and correct head size per official standards.

Get result in 3s

Before

Digital UK Passport photo resized to official size requirements, ready for online application

After

500K+photos processed

166countries supported

99.8%acceptance rate

ICAO 9303compliant

AIvalidated pre-submission

14-daymoney-back guarantee

500K+photos processed

166countries supported

99.8%acceptance rate

ICAO 9303compliant

AIvalidated pre-submission

14-daymoney-back guarantee

Hand holding a phone capturing a passport photo

Done before your coffee

Shoot at home in minutes. No drive, no line.

Caught before rejection

Measured against your country’s exact consulate spec — before you submit.

Rejected? Reshoot free.

Fourteen days of free resubmissions. Refunded if it still fails.

How it works

Four steps, entirely automated. Usually done in under a minute.

1·Snap a selfie
Any phone, any lighting. Front camera works.
2·AI validates it
Face, eyes, framing checked against spec in seconds.
3·Background swapped
Clean, official-compliant backdrop applied automatically.
4·Cropped to size
2×2, 35×45, or whatever your country's spec calls for.

UK Passport Photo Check

Instant • Professional • Guaranteed

Instantly verify your photo meets UK Passport requirements. Get it right the first time.

25+

Validation Points

99%

Acceptance Rate

Check Categories

Biometric Compliance

Face detection, eye visibility, pose alignment

Technical Quality

Resolution, lighting, focus, contrast

UK Passport Standards

Official requirements, compliance guidelines

Validated using UK Passport official requirements

Real-time Analysis

Take perfect photos at home

A five-minute setup. Any smartphone will do.

1
Body-camera distance
Position yourself min 16-20 inch from the camera. Ensure your head, neck, and upper shoulders are visible in the frame.
2
Posture: straight ahead
Keep your head straight and centered. Look directly at the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed, and eyes open.
3
Lighting on both sides of the face
Use natural lighting for even illumination. Avoid shadows and ensure all facial features are clearly visible.

Print your UK Passport Photo same day

Walgreens, CVS & Walmart · under $1 for 4 photos

Walgreens Photo

Same-day printing guide

→

CVS Photo

Same-day printing guide

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How to Print Your Photo

Download your digital photo

After checkout, download the print-ready file to your phone or computer

Visit CVS, Walgreens, or Walmart photo center

Use their app or in-store kiosk to upload your photo

Print as 4x6 photo

Your file includes 4 passport-size photos on one 4x6 print

Print ready in 1 hour • No appointment needed

UK Passport specifications

Official requirements · compliant standards

Size

35 x 45 mm

Resolution

600 dpi

Position

Head covers 65% of the photo

Background Color

#eeeeee

Digital File Size

Minimum 50 KB (JPEG)

Not Permitted

Hats and caps (except religious), Sunglasses, Heavy makeup

Passport photo requirements to create photo online

Official Standards

Last update: 5/20/2026

Written by

Justine

Expert verified

UK passport photo: light background, not pure white

The gov.uk specification calls for a plain light-coloured background — white, cream, or light grey. Many home photos against pure white walls get flagged as over-exposed; light grey or cream is the safer choice.

Digital file rules

Format: JPEG or PNG (PNG is accepted, unlike most countries)
Size: at least 600 x 750 px, file 50 KB – 10 MB
The system auto-crops — upload head, shoulders, and upper body; you don't have to crop to 35 x 45 mm yourself

Photo codes from UK booths are optional

Booth services (Photo-Me at supermarkets, Boots, Timpson, Snappy Snaps) issue a one-time alphanumeric photo code valid 30 days, around £8–£15. You enter it during the online application and the photo auto-attaches. Taking your own photo and uploading the JPEG directly works exactly the same — the code is convenience, not a requirement.

For UK infant rules (closed eyes OK under 1, 1-month recency, supported photos) see UK Baby Passport Photo.

UK Passport Photo — what HM Passport Office requires

Submit to

HM Passport Office (HMPO)

Official portal →

Government fee

GBP 88.5

Adult UK passport fee for online application (renewal £88.50, first-time £94.50); photo not included.

Processing time

3 weeks standard; 1-week expedited service available for £193.5

Common rejection reasons at HM Passport Office

⚠Background not light grey or cream — HMPO explicitly REJECTS pure white (a common mistake from photos taken for US/Schengen specs)
⚠Photo not 35×45mm — HMPO uses ICAO 35×45mm; rejection of 2×2 inch US-style photos is automatic at the post office Check & Send
⚠Smile or open mouth — strictly neutral expression; HMPO is one of the strictest in Europe on this
⚠Glasses (since November 2024) — even prescription frames; this was a recent rule change

Common questions, answered

Everything you need to know before you upload. Tap any question to expand.

Supported documents, worldwide

Every country · current 2025 regulations · ICAO compliant

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