Official size, background colour, and compliance rules for 60+ countries - sourced from government immigration departments. Click any country to see full specifications.
Passport photo requirements vary significantly by country - here's what to know
Maria Helen
Passport Document Specialist
No two countries share exactly the same passport photo rules. While 35 × 45 mm is the most common format globally - used by Australia, the UK, Japan, India, the Philippines, and most of Europe - the USA requires a square 51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 inch) print, Canada requires a taller 50 × 70 mm format, China uses a narrow 33 × 48 mm size, and Vietnam requires 40 × 60 mm. Getting the wrong size is the single most common reason passport applications are rejected before they even reach a reviewer.
Background colour is equally strict. Most countries require plain white, but there are notable exceptions: the UK accepts white, cream, or light grey - and many photo booths producing pure white are technically non-compliant for UK applications. Germany now accepts only digital submissions through certified studios. South Korea and Japan both require pure white backgrounds only; light grey is explicitly rejected. Indonesia's national passport uses a red background. Malaysia's e-Visa portals require light blue - a different spec to the Malaysian passport itself, which uses white. Click any country above to see the exact background requirement before ordering.
Expression rules are enforced by biometric systems, not just human reviewers. Japan and South Korea prohibit any smiling - even a slight natural smile causes automated rejection. Canada and China require strictly neutral expressions. Australia permits a slight smile for visa photos from 2025, but neutral remains the safest choice for passports across all countries. The photo must also be recent: most countries require a photo taken within the last 6 months, Singapore within 3 months, and the UK within the last 1 month - the strictest recency rule worldwide.
Since late 2025, stricter ICAO biometric standards have taken effect across 172 countries, introducing zero-tolerance policies for AI editing, skin smoothing, beauty filters, and background replacement. The US State Department reported over 300,000 application rejections in 2024 alone due to non-compliant photos - and enforcement has since tightened further. PassPhoto prepares every photo to the exact specifications of your target country, reviewed by a human expert before printing or digital delivery. All orders include a compliance guarantee - if your photo is rejected for technical reasons, we reprint at no cost.
Common format families at a glance
35 × 45 mm
Australia, UK, India, Japan, Korea, Philippines, Europe
51 × 51 mm (2×2")
USA - square format only accepted for US applications
50 × 70 mm
Canada - larger tall format, unique globally
33 × 48 mm
China - narrow portrait, unique size; cut wrong by most booths
40 × 60 mm
Vietnam, Greece - tall portrait format
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
35×45mm is the most widely used size internationally, used by Australia, UK, most European countries, India, Japan, Philippines, and many more. The US is an exception - it uses a square 51×51mm (2×2 inch) format. Canada uses a larger 50×70mm format. Vietnam and Greece use a taller 40×60mm format.
Usually not - different countries have different physical sizes, background colour rules, and face positioning requirements. For example, the same photo can't be used for both a Chinese passport (33×48mm, white background) and a Malaysian passport (35×50mm, white background for passport - blue for visa portals). We prepare your photo to the exact country specification.
Most countries require a plain white background. Notable exceptions: Malaysia e-Visa and work permit portals require light blue (but the Malaysian passport itself uses white); Indonesia's national passport uses a red background; UK accepts white, cream, or light grey; Germany requires light grey; France accepts light grey. Click your country above to see the exact requirement.
Most countries strictly require a neutral expression with mouth closed. Japan and South Korea prohibit any smiling at all. Canada requires neutral - no smiling. The US officially allows a natural slight smile but recommends neutral for biometric accuracy. Australia allows a slight smile for visa photos from 2025, but neutral is still safest for passports. When in doubt, always go neutral - it's accepted everywhere.
Most countries require photos taken within the last 6 months. Singapore has a stricter 3-month rule. The UK has the strictest rule - photos must be taken within the last month. The key requirement everywhere is that the photo must be a recent, accurate likeness of how you look now.
Yes - we ship printed passport photos to all Australian addresses via tracked Australia Post, with delivery in 1–3 business days. We also send digital files by email on the same day. Whether you're in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide or a regional area, we deliver to you.
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