UK Passport Photo

UK Passport Photo Guidelines

Passport pictures are an important part of the application. If the pictures are incorrect (wrong size, wrong pose, wrong facial expression), HM Passport Office will reject the photo and your passport will be delayed. To get the correct UK passport photo follow our tips. This way you will be accepted, and you will soon be able to travel all over the world.

In this article you will learn, among other things:

• What is the correct UK passport photo size?
• What are the latest UK passport picture requirements?
• How to take a UK passport photo with a phone at home?
• What to wear when posing for a picture?
• How to add a digital photo when applying online?

Getting the correct photo. Why is it so important?

Taking a photo for your passport is one of the most important steps in applying for a document. The UK passport office takes this extremely seriously. You must provide a biometric image that meets the strict standards for document photos. But not only the UK government is restrictive on photos. Almost all Europeans have to provide biometric photos in important documents such as driving license, ID, insurance card or passport.

Biometric photos have been present in the UK since 2006 − then the first biometric travel documents were issued. The biometric photo looks quite specific − a bit like a mugshot. The shot is taken straight ahead and the photographed person cannot smile, not even a little. For this reason, many people complain that they look unfriendly and unattractive in the passport photo. However, all this has a purpose − such photos are supposed to reflect the biometric features of the face. These are individual features that allow special biometric programs to quickly and easily identify the person in the photo. All because each person has an individual set of biometric features of the face.

There is another aspect, no less important − a bit of vanity. Your passport picture will be your companion for 10 years - this is the validity period of the document. There is nothing wrong with wanting to get a good shot. After all, if we travel a lot, we will have to show our passport picture often. Perhaps it will be watched not only by passport officials, airline employees or border officials. You may need to show your passport to your boss and colleagues. It's obvious you want a good UK passport photo!

Take a picture and get your passport quickly

To quickly take a UK passport photo you need a smartphone and our editor. You don't even have to prepare the background and worry about the correct UK passport photo size − the tool removes the background itself and cuts the image to 35x45 mm (printed pictures) or 900x1200px (digital photo).

Ask a family member for help. Prepare lighting and clothing. Pose as required (you can find the listing below). Tick! Take more shots and choose the best. Share the picture file on our online tool. Wait for the program to validate (the tool also works like a passport photo validator!). Now it will remove the background and crop it to the correct size. Done! Check your email. You’ll find there a file that has been edited and prepared for printing or sending directly online.

What are the requirements for a UK passport photo?

For the current UK passport photo requirements you should visit www.gov.uk and see the photo guidelines. There you will find two separate instructions for taking digital or printed photos. This is because you can apply for a UK passport online, through the website, or by traditional filling out and submitting a paper form. Luckily you’re visiting this site now and we are happy too. Below are some tips for taking passport photos. You will learn about the most important UK passport photo requirements so you can take a good picture at home.

Quality and validity period

The quality of the photos is very important. You need to print the pictures with high quality on photo paper. It must be colored and not torn, wrinkled or marked. Also, except for certification by countersignor, photos cannot be signed. The photo must be clear and sharp, and also strongly "fresh". Specifically, it must have been taken within the last month. This requirement is specific to the United Kingdom. Most countries require a photo that is no more than 6 months old.

UK passport photo size and frame

UK passport photo size is 35 x 45 mm for printed pictures, and 900 x 1200 px for a digital photo. In both cases the head must be between 34 and 29 mm (approx.). This is the area from the top of the hair to the chin. The frame must include the close-up of your face, head and upper shoulders.

Face

You have to pose facing forward and look directly at the camera. The head must be in the center of the frame. You must have a neuter facial expression - you cannot smile or frown. Pictures with a smile, even a small one, are rejected. The face must be straight − don't tilt your head to either side. Do not raise or lower it.

Glasses and headcovers

Sunglasses and tinted are unacceptable. Prescription glasses may be worn on the UK passport photo as long as they do not cover your eyes. There must be no glare in the lenses of the glasses. In addition, the glasses must not cover the pupils.

All headcovers should be removed. Religious covers are an exception, however, to be able to have them in the picture, you must provide a certificate from the religious community. Moreover, religious headcovers must not cover even a part of the face.

Clothing and hair

There is no such thing as a dress code on a passport photo. Do you have casual clothes that make you look nice? Put them on, but remember a few things. It is best to wear a bright top, but not a white one. The white color blends with the background, making the photo unreadable by biometric software. Black or almost black color should also be avoided - it can distort the contrast necessary to achieve the correct image.

Do not wear a uniform or clothes that look like a uniform. Avoid too tight and crazy clothes. Fluorescent colors are also not welcome. Dress for your UK passport photo as for Sunday lunch, and you won't regret it.

Jewelry

No matter how beautiful your jewelry is − it's best to take it off for a picture if the size is at least L. Shiny necklaces can throw reflections, and large earrings can cover the cheeks. In the photo you may have, however, small earrings and a fine chain.

Photo background

A UK passport photo must be taken with a solid and light background. The background may be cream, light gray or white. You can get such a background by posing with a white wall behind your back. You can also organize a background photo with the help of a sheet. Remember that our photo editor removes the background itself, so that the final version of the photo is completely white. This is a big help - when using our tool, you don't have to worry about the background at all.

How to pose for a UK passport photo?

• Stand in front of the window, preferably in the morning (natural light).
• If the lighting is poor, set up an additional lamp.
• Don't worry about the background - the editor will remove it.
• Put yourself 0.5 m away from the wall.
• Stand the photographer 1.5 meters away from you.
• Look straight into the camera lens.
• Place your body and face in front of the camera.
• The mouth must be closed and the eyes open.
• Keep your head straight - don't tilt it.
• Keep your facial expression natural - don't smile.
• Take more shots than one.

A UK passport photo must be taken with a solid and light background. The background may be cream, light gray or white. You can get such a background by posing with a white wall behind your back. You can also organize a background photo with the help of a sheet. Remember that our photo editor removes the background itself, so that the final version of the photo is completely white. This is a big help - when using our tool, you don't have to worry about the background at all.

Most common mistakes that make your passport photo rejected (or simply bad)

Are you taking a passport photo at home? There are many common mistakes that you should avoid. If you ignore them, your picture will not look good or will not be validated at the passport office. As a result, your passport application will be rejected. What not to do when you take a picture?

·     Bad lighting

Lighting is perhaps the most difficult thing to handle in a home photo shoot. You probably don't have studio lamps at home, do you? Fortunately, natural light is enough. However, you need to ensure that daylight comes in from both sides and illuminates you well. If the plan is still underexposed, bring a lamp.

·     Shadows

There must be no shadows on the UK passport picture: on the head, behind the back, on clothes, on the background. But how to avoid shadows on the home plan? Ask someone to take a photo of you. You'll get it much faster and easier than taking a selfie. The 'assistant' should stand with the phone 1.5 m in front of you. You stand 0.5 m from the wall. Such distances will eliminate unacceptable shadows.

·       Unacceptable background

If you use our photo editing tool, you don't have to worry about the background. The tool itself removes the background and you get an image with a white background. However, if you set the background yourself, make it uniform, bright, without any decorations or objects on the back. Otherwise your photo will be rejected.

·     Facial expression and smile

Many people remember the times when they posed half-profile and with a full smile for passport photos. Perhaps you did it even recently - 7-8 years ago. These times, however, are over. There are currently specific photo requirements for personal documents. You have to pose straight (frontally), look directly at the camera and not smile. Keep your natural facial expression and closed mouth. Do not frost your eyes and look away. This is very important because only in this way you will take a biometric photo at home that is necessary to attach to the application.

·     Wrong size

UK passport photo size must be exactly 35x45 mm (width x height) or 900x1200 px (digital picture). Some people decide to crop printed pictures before submitting them to the application. Don’t do that! HM Passport Office clearly states that cropping will be done by an officer and applicants mustn’t do it by themselves. It is, however, acceptable if the professional photo editor does the cropping. Our photo tool activates this function for every image file. As a result you get a perfectly cropped passport photo ready to print or submit online.

Digital or printed passport photo?

How do I add a passport photo to my application? It depends on the application method you have chosen. Below you will find quick instructions on how to add a photo to your UK Passport application:

Digital photo

• You only need to deliver one digital UK passport photo.
• Prepare a digital photo according to the guidelines.
• Make sure it is 900x1200 px and its weight is between 50kB and 10MB.
• Start applying online and upload your picture as soon as you are asked to do so.
• Complete the application form and send it via www.gov.uk.

Photo printed

• Provide 2 identical printed photos,
• Size: 35mm wide by 45mm high each.
• Take pictures as required.
• Prints photos on photo paper.
• Attach photos in bulk to the application.
• Apply by letter or at the passport desk at the post office.

Last update: 31.08.2021