🪪 Photography Guide
Passport Photo Size Guide — Requirements by Country
📅 2026⏱ 6 min read✍️ Mian Hassam
⚠️ Important: Requirements change. Always verify the official dimensions and specifications from your country's passport issuing authority before submitting your application. The information below is provided as a general reference only.
Passport photo requirements vary significantly between countries — both in size and in rules about background color, head position, and expression. Here's a general overview of common standards.
Common Size Requirements by Country
| Country | Size | Background | Notes |
|---|
| 🇬🇧 UK | 35 × 45 mm | Light grey/cream | Head 29–34mm tall |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 51 × 51 mm (2×2 in) | White or off-white | Head 25–35mm tall |
| 🇪🇺 EU (most) | 35 × 45 mm | Light/white | Varies slightly by country |
| 🇮🇳 India | 35 × 45 mm or 51 × 51 mm | White | Check official portal |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 35 × 45 mm | White | Check NADRA guidelines |
| 🇨🇳 China | 33 × 48 mm | White | Specific head size rules apply |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | 40 × 60 mm | White | Check ICA guidelines |
General Photo Requirements (Most Countries)
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Clear, in focus, with good lighting
- Plain, light-colored background (no patterns)
- Face directly toward the camera, eyes open
- Neutral expression (closed mouth)
- No glasses in most modern standards
- No head coverings unless for religious reasons
- High quality, minimum 300 DPI for printing
How to Make a Passport Photo Online — Free
MultiMian ImageKit includes a free Passport Photo Maker that supports standard sizes for UK, US, India, Pakistan, and more. You can set background color, create print layouts (1 photo, 4 photos, 12 photos), and export at 300 DPI print quality.
🪪 Make Passport Photo Free →
Tips for Taking a Good Passport Photo
- Use natural light or a well-lit room — avoid harsh shadows on the face
- Stand against a plain white wall or hang a white sheet behind you
- Take the photo at eye level, not from above or below
- Use portrait mode on your phone for a clear, focused shot
- Crop tightly to show head and shoulders only
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