Visa Photo Size by Country
Every destination country's visa photo specification at a glance. Where ranges are given for head height, position the top of your head at the upper bound to maximise the chance of acceptance.
| Country | Size (mm) | Background | Glasses | Head height |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇪🇺 Schengen (all 27) | 35 × 45 | Light grey | ❌ No | 32–36 mm |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 51 × 51 | Pure white | ❌ No | 25–35 mm |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 35 × 45 | Light grey or cream | ❌ No | 29–34 mm |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 50 × 70 | White or light grey | ✅ OK (no glare) | 31–36 mm |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 35 × 45 | Light background | ❌ No | 32–36 mm |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 35 × 45 | Light background | ❌ No | 32–36 mm |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 45 × 45 | White or light | ❌ No | ~34 mm |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | 35 × 45 | White | ❌ No | ~32 mm |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | 43 × 55 | White | ❌ No | — |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | 40 × 60 | White | ❌ No | — |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | 35 × 45 | White | ❌ No | — |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | 35 × 45 | White | ❌ No | ~32 mm |
| 🇮🇳 India (OCI) | 51 × 51 | White | ❌ No | 25–35 mm |
| 🇨🇳 China | 33 × 48 | White | ❌ No | — |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | 35 × 50 | White or blue | ❌ No | — |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong | 40 × 50 | White | ❌ No | — |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 35 × 45 | Light grey | ❌ No | 32–36 mm |
Universal rules that apply everywhere
- Full frontal face, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Both eyes open, looking directly at camera
- No hats (religious head coverings sometimes permitted if face is fully visible)
- No glasses, no sunglasses (banned in most countries since 2016)
- Photo taken within 6 months (Mexico: 30 days)
- Printed on high-quality glossy or matte photo paper - never standard printer paper
- No digital filters, retouching, smoothing, or AI enhancement
- Clean uniform background - no shadows, no patterns, no other people
- Natural skin tones, no excessive editing
Country-specific quirks
- Schengen: - Light grey background is required (NOT pure white). France is strictest - many consulates have rejected white backgrounds even for otherwise perfect photos. Use Pantone 11-4001 or similar light grey.
- US: - Pure white background, 2×2 inches exactly. No tolerance for off-dimensions. The State Department's online photo tool will tell you immediately if your photo is rejected.
- UK: - Light grey OR cream - not pure white. UK Visas & Immigration also runs an online photo check tool at gov.uk.
- Canada: - The largest photo (50×70mm). White or light grey background. Canada is one of the few countries that still permits glasses if there is no glare and no reflection.
- Japan: - Some consulates accept 35×45mm, others require 45×45mm - check your specific consulate's website before printing.
- India: - Different specs for passport vs OCI vs visa applications. The OCI/PIO photo is 51×51mm matching US format.
Top 5 photo rejection reasons
- Wrong background color - pure white instead of light grey for Schengen is the single most common rejection
- Photo too old - more than 6 months will be rejected on sight
- Glasses visible - banned since 2016 in most countries; even thin frames trigger rejection
- Wrong dimensions - even a 1–2mm error can be flagged by Schengen consulates
- Shadow on face or background - caused by bad lighting; use natural diffuse light from a window
How to take a good visa photo at home
- Use a plain wall as background. If white walls only, tape up a light grey sheet or paper for Schengen.
- Use natural light from a window (overcast day is ideal - diffuse light, no shadows). Avoid flash.
- Position phone camera at eye level, 1–1.5 metres from your face. A tripod or stack of books helps.
- Have someone else take the photo if possible. Self-timer works but framing is harder.
- Crop to exact dimensions required for your destination - use a tool like idphoto4you.com or passport-photo-online.com.
- Print at a professional photo shop (Walgreens, Boots, FotoVista, etc.) - never on a home printer.
Digital upload specs for online applications
| Platform | Format | Max size | Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| VFS Global | JPEG | 5 MB | 400×514 min |
| US DS-160 | JPEG | 240 KB | 600×600 exact |
| UK gov.uk | JPEG | 10 MB | 600×750 min |
| Canada IRCC | JPEG | 4 MB | 420×540 min |
| Australia ImmiAccount | JPEG | 5 MB | No minimum |
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Câu hỏi thường gặp
What is the standard visa photo size?
There is no single global standard. Schengen (all 27 countries), UK, and Australia use 35×45mm. The US uses 51×51mm (2×2 inches). Canada uses the largest format at 50×70mm. Always check your destination country's specific requirement before printing.
Can I wear glasses in a visa photo?
No, in almost all countries. Since 2016 most countries (Schengen, UK, US, Canada, Australia) explicitly ban glasses in visa and passport photos because of glare and identity verification issues. Canada is one of the few exceptions - glasses are permitted there if there is no glare.
What background color should my visa photo have?
It depends on the country. Schengen and UK require light grey (NOT pure white) - many applicants get rejected for using a white background. US and Canada require pure white. Always check the destination's specification - the wrong colour is the #1 rejection reason.
How old can my visa photo be?
Most countries require a photo taken within the last 6 months. Mexico is the strictest at 30 days. The US and Schengen require 6 months. The key test: the photo must look like your current appearance. If you have changed significantly (hairstyle, beard, glasses prescription), retake it.
Can I use a smartphone selfie as a visa photo?
Technically yes, but rarely successfully. Smartphone selfies usually have wrong dimensions, poor lighting, and image compression artifacts. The cheapest reliable option is a photo shop (most cost $5–15). If you must use a phone, follow our home-photo guide above precisely.
Why was my visa photo rejected?
The five most common rejection reasons are: (1) wrong background color, (2) photo older than 6 months, (3) glasses visible, (4) wrong dimensions (even 1mm off triggers rejection in some countries), (5) shadow on face or background. Schengen, UK, and German consulates are the strictest on dimensions.
Do digital and printed photo specifications differ?
Yes. Online applications (US DS-160, UK gov.uk, Canada IRCC) require specific JPEG sizes and resolutions. Printed photos for VFS appointments have different physical dimensions. If you use a photo shop, ask for both - most provide a digital file alongside printed copies.
Can children use the same photo specifications?
Yes, the dimensions are the same. The only difference: babies under 12 months can have closed eyes and need not be supporting their own head. For Schengen and UK, children's photos must follow the same head-height ratio (32–36mm). No toys, parents' hands, or pacifiers visible.