Passport photo size guide, by country
Size, background color, and glasses rules aren't the same everywhere — compare them here, then crop your photo to the exact spec for free.
Passport photo requirements compared
Every country sets its own passport photo specification, and the differences aren't just the size — background shade and glasses policy vary too, and getting either wrong is a common reason photos get rejected at a passport office or visa center. Here's how six of the most commonly searched requirements compare:
| Country | Size | Background | Glasses | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | White or very light plain | Allowed, but avoid glare | India passport photo |
| USA | 2 × 2 in | White or off-white | Not recommended; no glare, eyes fully visible if worn | US passport photo |
| UK | 35 × 45 mm | Light grey or cream (not pure white) | Not recommended; no glare, eyes fully visible if worn | UK passport photo |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm | Plain white | Not permitted (except documented medical exemption) | Canada passport photo |
| UAE | 35 × 45 mm | Plain white | Best avoided; no glare, eyes fully visible if worn | UAE passport photo |
| EU / Schengen | 35 × 45 mm | Usually white or light grey (confirm per country) | Mostly disallowed; confirm per country | EU/Schengen passport photo |
This table is a starting point, not a substitute for your destination country's official guidance — rules do change, and some details (like exact glasses policy) can vary by individual consulate. Always confirm the current requirement before submitting, especially for a country not listed here.
The pattern behind the differences
Most of these requirements trace back to ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) facial-image guidance for machine-readable travel documents, which is why so many countries converged on similar rules around a plain, evenly-lit background and a neutral, glasses-free, direct-on expression — even though the exact pixel or millimeter size stayed a national choice. India and the US kept imperial 2×2 inch sizing; the UK, UAE, and most of the EU/Schengen area use the metric 35×45mm; Canada's 50×70mm is its own standard, with a specific 31-36mm face-height measurement built into the rule.
One photo, several sizes
If you need photos for more than one country — a visa application alongside a passport renewal, for example — you don't need a separate photoshoot for each. Take one well-lit, front-facing photo without glasses against a plain background, then crop it separately to each country's exact size using the tool for that country above. The Passport Photo Maker also covers every size from one page with a dropdown, if you'd rather not open a separate page per country. Need several copies of one size on a single print? Use the print sheet maker to fit multiple copies on one 4×6in print instead of paying per photo.