Passport & Visa Photo Size Requirements by Country
Exact print and digital dimensions, head-height and background rules for the most common passports and visas — with a free tool that crops your photo to each template on your own device.
Quick-reference table
| Document | Print size | Digital size* | Head (chin→crown) | Background | How recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States — passport & visa | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 600 × 600 px (min 600, up to 1200) | 25–35 mm (1–1⅛ in) | White or off-white | Within 6 months |
| Canada — passport (printed) | 50 × 70 mm (2 × 2¾ in) | 591 × 827 px | 31–36 mm | White / plain light | Within 6 months |
| Canada — passport (online) | 3:2 portrait | 1200 × 1800 px min, 3000 × 4500 max; 200 KB–4 MB | 45–50% of frame | White / plain light | Within 6 months |
| United Kingdom — passport | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px (online portal often requires ≥ 600 × 750) | 29–34 mm | Plain cream or light grey | Within 1 month |
| Schengen visa (all 27 states) | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | 32–36 mm (face ≈ 70–80%) | White or plain light | Within 6 months; usually 2 prints |
| Australia — passport | 35–40 × 45–50 mm (usually 35 × 45) | 413 × 531 px | 32–36 mm | Plain light | Within 6 months; 2 prints |
| Japan — passport | 35 × 45 mm | 413 × 531 px | ≈ 34 mm | Plain, no background | Within 6 months |
| China — passport | 33 × 48 mm | 390 × 567 px | 28–33 mm (head width 15–22 mm; 3–5 mm above crown) | White | Recent |
* Pixel values are the 300-DPI equivalent of the print size: pixels = mm ÷ 25.4 × 300. Online application portals often set their own minimum dimensions and file-size limits — always check the official source for your application channel.
United States — 2×2 passport & visa photo
- 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), in color, printed on matte or glossy photo-quality paper.
- Head between 1 and 1⅛ inches (25–35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
- Plain white or off-white background with no shadow behind the head.
- Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance.
- No eyeglasses, no uniforms, no headphones or wireless hands-free devices; no digital retouching.
- For online uploads: a square color image, at least 600 × 600 pixels.
Source: U.S. Department of State — travel.state.gov/photos (linked below).
Canada — 50×70 mm print and digital upload
- Printed: 50 mm wide × 70 mm high (2 × 2¾ in); face 31–36 mm from chin to crown; plain, uniform white or light background; two photos, one endorsed by your guarantor.
- Online (digital): portrait orientation with a 3:2 aspect ratio; at least 1200 × 1800 px and no larger than 3000 × 4500 px; file size between 200 KB and 4 MB; chin-to-crown height 45–50% of the image.
Source: Government of Canada passport photo pages and IRCC digital photo specification (linked below).
United Kingdom — 35×45 mm passport photo
- 35 mm wide × 45 mm high; face between 29 and 34 mm from chin to crown.
- Plain cream or light-grey background, evenly lit with no shadows.
- Must be a close likeness — a recent photo; neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking at the camera.
- For the online renewal portal the image must be at least 600 px wide × 750 px high and pass the government's automatic checks.
Source: GOV.UK — Photos for passports (linked below).
Schengen visa — one 35×45 mm standard for all 27 states
- 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, based on the ICAO biometric standard.
- Face 32–36 mm from chin to crown, filling roughly 70–80% of the frame.
- Plain white, off-white or light background, even lighting, no shadows; full color.
- Taken within the last 6 months; typically two identical prints (one attached to the form, one for biometrics).
- Glasses are generally not permitted; head coverings only for religious or medical reasons with the full face visible.
Source: Schengen member-state consulates and VFS Global photo guidance; ICAO Doc 9303 (linked below).
Australia — 35–40 × 45–50 mm
- Width 35–40 mm, height 45–50 mm (35 × 45 mm is the standard print); face 32–36 mm.
- Plain light background; high-quality glossy dye-sublimation prints (≥ 200 gsm).
- Two identical photos taken within 6 months; one must be endorsed by a guarantor (except PC7 renewals).
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, facing the camera squarely.
Source: Australian Passport Office — Camera operator guidelines (linked below).
Japan — 35×45 mm borderless
- 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, with no border; face height about 34 mm from the top of the head to the chin.
- No headwear, plain background, taken straight-on, sharp and clear.
- Taken within the last 6 months; color or black-and-white accepted.
Source: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs / consular photo guidance (linked below).
China — 33×48 mm
- 33 mm wide × 48 mm high.
- Head width 15–22 mm; head height (chin to crown) 28–33 mm.
- 3–5 mm gap from the top of the head to the top edge; at least 7 mm from below the chin to the bottom edge.
- Plain white background; hair must not cover the eyebrows, eyes or ears, and no facial feature may be obscured.
Source: Chinese consular services — passport portrait photo specification (linked below).
Biometric photo rules that almost every country shares
- Face the camera directly with your head straight and shoulders square — no tilt.
- Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible.
- Even, diffused lighting with no shadows on the face or background; sharp focus and natural colors (no filters or retouching).
- Remove glasses unless the issuing authority explicitly allows them; avoid flash glare and tinted lenses.
- Head coverings only for religious or medical reasons, with the full oval of the face visible.
- Use a recent photo that shows your current appearance (usually within 6 months; the UK is stricter).
Print size to pixels at 300 DPI
pixels = mm ÷ 25.4 × 300. So 35 × 45 mm → 413 × 531 px; 51 × 51 mm → 600 × 600 px; 50 × 70 mm → 591 × 827 px; 33 × 48 mm → 390 × 567 px. For online uploads, follow the portal’s own pixel and file-size limits rather than the print conversion.
Create a compliant photo in your browser
Open the free Passport & ID Photo Maker, choose the country or standard size, set the required background color, crop to the head-height rule and export a ready-to-print sheet. Everything runs locally — your photo never leaves your device.
Official sources
- U.S. Department of State — Passport Photos: travel.state.gov/.../photos.html
- Government of Canada — Passport photos: canada.ca — passport photos
- Government of Canada — Digital Passport Photo Specifications (PDF): digital-photo-spec-eng.pdf
- GOV.UK — Photos for passports: gov.uk/photos-for-passports
- Schengen photo guidance (35 × 45 mm, ICAO Doc 9303) — Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs / VFS Global: exteriores.gob.es — Schengen visas
- Australian Passport Office — Camera Operator Guidelines (PDF): passports.gov.au — camera operator guidelines
- Consulate-General of Japan — passport photo specifications: sydney.au.emb-japan.go.jp
- Consulate General of China in Chicago — passport portrait photo specification: chicago.china-consulate.gov.cn
Last reviewed September 2026. Requirements differ between paper and online applications and can change without notice. PixlReady provides this summary for convenience only; always confirm the size, background, digital dimensions and file-size limits with the issuing government before you print or submit.