Passport photo sizes

Get the photo
size right.

A wrong-sized photo is the quickest way to get a passport or visa application bounced. Here's the required size by country — and the two standards that cover most of the world.

Two world standards

Most countries use one of these
2×2 in
51 × 51 mm · square
The US standard — a square photo, head centered, on a plain white background. Also used for US visas and a few other countries.
35×45 mm
The global default
A portrait rectangle used across the UK, Europe (incl. Schengen visas), Australia and much of Asia. Light grey or white background.
Rules
Same everywhere-ish
Recent (last 6 months), neutral expression, eyes open, no glasses, no hat, plain light background, face filling ~70–80% of the frame.

Photo size by country

Passport photo · always confirm official spec
CountryPhoto sizeBackground
United States2×2 in (51×51 mm)Plain white.
India2×2 in (51×51 mm)Plain white.
United Kingdom35 × 45 mmLight grey / cream.
Schengen Area (EU)35 × 45 mmLight grey.
France · Germany · Spain · Italy35 × 45 mmLight grey.
Australia35–40 × 45–50 mmPlain light.
New Zealand35 × 45 mmPlain light grey.
Canada50 × 70 mmPlain white (larger).
Japan35 × 45 mmPlain, no shadow.
China33 × 48 mmWhite.
South Korea35 × 45 mmWhite.
Brazil50 × 70 mmWhite.
Mexico2×2 in (varies)White.
South Africa35 × 45 mmPlain light.
UAE35 × 45 mmWhite.
Singapore35 × 45 mmPlain white.
Nigeria35 × 45 mmPlain light.
Schengen / most visas35 × 45 mmLight grey.

Requirements are set by each government and occasionally change (especially the head-size percentage and background shade). Always confirm the exact spec on the official passport/embassy site before you print.

Getting the photo taken? Most pharmacies, print shops and passport-photo apps can output the exact size if you tell them the country. Check how much passport validity your destination needs while you're at it.