Official passport photo requirements and visa photo specifications for 166 countries. Click any country on the world map for size, head ratio, background color, and DPI.
How to Read Passport Photo Requirements
- Size — physical dimensions in mm or inches (e.g. 35 × 45 mm).
- Head ratio — chin-to-crown as a percentage of frame height. Top rejection cause.
- Anchor — where the face sits vertically (eye, hair, or chin anchor).
- DPI — 300 minimum, 600 common for European passports.
- Background — pure white (#FFFFFF), off-white (#FCFCFC), or light gray (#EEEEEE).
- Rules — glasses, jewelry, expression, ears visible.
The 8 Things Every Country Specifies
- Width and height in mm or inches.
- Head ratio (50–69% US, 70–80% Schengen, 60–65% China).
- Anchor point — eye, hair, or chin.
- Background color — uniform white, off-white, or gray.
- DPI — 300 minimum.
- File size limits for online portals (China 40–120 KB, UPSC 20 KB).
- Validation rules — glasses, expression, eyes open, ears visible.
- Recency — taken within the last 6 months.
Passport Photo Size by Country
The five most common passport photo standards:
| Country | Size | Head ratio | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 50–69% | White / off-white |
| EU / Schengen | 35 × 45 mm | 70–80% | Light / white |
| India (e-Visa) | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 70–80% | White |
| China | 33 × 48 mm | 60–65% | Pure white |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm | ~65% | Light gray |
35 × 45 mm (ICAO) is the global default. The US 2 × 2 in, Canada's 50 × 70 mm, and China's 33 × 48 mm are the main outliers.
Background Color Rules by Region
- Pure white (#FFFFFF) — India, China, Germany, Mexico, most of Latin America.
- Off-white (#FCFCFC) — Japan, South Korea, US (accepts either).
- Light gray (#EEEEEE) — UK, Netherlands, France, Turkey, Greece.
The background must be uniform — no gradients, shadows, or texture.
Passport Photo by Country
Popular guides: US Passport, UK Passport, Schengen Visa, Indian Passport, Chinese Visa, Canadian Passport.
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