UK Passport
UK Passport Photo Requirements (35x45mm, 600x750px)
UK passport photo requirements: a digital photo of at least 600×750 pixels for an online application, or a 35x45mm print on a plain cream or light grey background. HM Passport Office does not accept photos altered by software, so we explain the rules and do not make this photo.
Last updated Oct 9, 2026
Verified against the official source · Oct 9, 2026Official UK Passport Photo Dimensions & Requirements (35x45mm)
The UK HM Passport Office has specific rules that differ from the US and EU.
- Background: Plain cream or light grey for printed photos; plain and light-coloured for digital photos.
- Size: 35mm x 45mm.
- Recency: Must be taken in the last month.
- Expression: Neutral, no smiling.
Why We Do Not Make This Photo
HM Passport Office says a passport photo, digital or printed, must be unaltered by computer software. Replacing the background is how an online photo maker works, so we do not offer one for UK passports. For an online application you can get a digital photo with a code from a photo booth or shop.
Photo Examples
Pass example
Correct photo
Common rejection risk
Incorrect photo
Real UK Passport Rejection Data
25.5% of UK Passport photos were rejected on first submission, based on 55 checks run through VisaPhotoCheck.
Most common reasons a rejected photo failed
- Accessories (glasses, hats, headphones)43%
- Crop or framing36%
- Lighting or shadows7%
- Head pose or angle7%
- Resolution7%
Each figure is the share of rejected UK Passport photos that failed that specific check. A single rejection often fails more than one check, so these do not add up to 100%.
Based on VisaPhotoCheck's own UK Passport submissions — this reflects our users, not an official or industry-wide rejection rate.
How UK Passport compares to similar documents
Every figure below is read from the same rule profiles this checker validates against, so it says what actually differs rather than what sounds different.
The same specification
A photo that passes for UK Passport meets the same measurable requirements as UK Visa. Size, head height and background are identical; check each portal's own file-size limit before uploading.
What changes for nearby documents
- Ireland Passport wants 715×951px, not 35×45mm; head fills 70–80% of the frame, not 64–76%; file limit 9000 KB, not 10000 KB; a plain white background.
- Greece Passport wants 40×60mm, not 35×45mm; head fills 52–58% of the frame, not 64–76%; file limit 240 KB, not 10000 KB; a slightly different background shade.
- Schengen Visa wants head fills 71–80% of the frame, not 64–76%; file limit 200 KB, not 10000 KB; a slightly different background shade.
- Schengen Generic wants head fills 71–80% of the frame, not 64–76%; file limit 200 KB, not 10000 KB; a slightly different background shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
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