Passport and visa offices are strict for a reason: photos need to be consistent for facial recognition and printing. Below are the current standard requirements. Always double-check with your local embassy or passport office before submitting, since rules occasionally change.
Quick Reference Table
| Country / Document | Size | Background |
|---|---|---|
| United States (Passport) | 2×2 in (600×600 px @ 300 DPI) | Plain white or off-white |
| United Kingdom (Passport) | 35×45 mm | Plain light grey or cream |
| Turkey (Vesikalık) | 4.5×6 cm | White or light blue |
| Schengen Visa (EU) | 35×45 mm | Plain white or light grey |
| Canada (Passport) | 50×70 mm | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Australia (Passport) | 35×45 mm | Plain white |
| India (Passport) | 2×2 in (51×51 mm) | Plain white |
General Rules That Apply Almost Everywhere
- Face forward, neutral expression. No smiling with teeth showing, no tilted head.
- Both eyes open and visible. Glasses are usually allowed if there's no glare, but many countries now ask for photos without glasses entirely.
- No shadows on the face or background. Even, flat lighting is essential.
- Recent photo. Most offices require the photo to be taken within the last 6 months.
- No head coverings, except for religious reasons — and even then, your full face must be visible.
How to Get the Exact Size Without a Photo Studio
You don't need a professional studio for this. Take a clear photo against a plain wall (or use a background-replacement tool afterward), then crop it to the exact pixel dimensions your country requires. The hardest part is usually getting the crop and centering exactly right — this is where most people mess up, cropping too close or leaving too much empty space above the head.
Common Mistakes That Get Applications Rejected
- Photo is the wrong pixel size or aspect ratio (most common issue by far).
- Background isn't a solid, even color — shadows or texture visible.
- Face isn't centered, or too much/too little space around the head.
- Photo is too old or doesn't match current appearance.
- File is compressed too heavily and looks blurry or pixelated when printed.
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Upload any photo, pick your country's preset, and photoresizer.me crops it to the exact pixel size automatically — no design skills needed. If your background isn't plain, use the Change Background Color tool first to swap it for a clean white, blue, or grey backdrop before cropping.