Standard Passport Size Photo Dimensions in India and Abroad

1 Photo Size

The most common passport photo size in India is:

• 51 mm × 51 mm (2 inches × 2 inches)

For visas, you may have to submit:

• 35 mm × 45 mm

Note: This smaller size is usually needed for extra forms attached to the main application.

2 Background and Image Quality

Your passport-size photo should qualify for the given criteria:

• Use a plain white or off-white background.
• The picture must appear sharp and colourful, not blurry.
• Your head and shoulders should show clearly.
• Your face should cover most of the photo area.
• Keep a neutral expression with a closed mouth and open eyes.
• Lighting should stay even, with no shadows on your face or behind you.

3 Digital Photo Rules

Online applications also need a digital photo, and the criteria for the same are given below:

• Size should stay between 350 × 350 pixels and 1000 × 1000 pixels.
• Alternative Dimensions: 630 x 810 pixels (often cited for updated Passport Seva 2.0)
• DPI/Resolution: 200-300 DPI.
• Color Depth: 24-bit
• File size must fall between 20 KB and 100 KB.
• Format must remain JPEG.
• The image should stay clear after upload.

4 What to Wear

Clothes matter more than people think. Here are the suggestions for the clothes you should wear while getting your photo clicked:

Wear regular clothes in darker colours. Avoid uniforms. Do not wear shades that blend into the background.

5 Glasses and Head Coverings

You can wear the glasses if prescribed by the doctor and have no glare. Any kind of religious head covering is allowed when it does not hide the face.

Note: Your eyes must remain visible.

6 Printing Rules

Printed photos must come from a good studio. Always use high-quality matte or glossy paper. The photo should not be in Polaroid prints or in low resolution.

7 Rules for Children

Photo rules stay softer for young children. Here are the related rules:

• Babies do not need to keep their eyes open.
• Small head movements are allowed.
• The face must remain clearly visible.
• The background should stay plain.

1 United States

Here are the passport-size photo dimensions rules of the USA:

• Photo size must be 51 mm × 51 mm.
• Your head should measure 25-35 mm from the chin to the top.
• The background should be plain white or off-white.
• Keep a neutral face with both eyes open.
• Glasses are not allowed unless a doctor gives written proof.
• Religious head coverings are fine if the full face remains visible.
• The picture must look sharp with natural colour and no editing.

2 United Kingdom

The UK follows a smaller rectangular photo size. Here are its passport-size photo guidelines:

• The photo size stays 35 mm × 45 mm.
• Digital uploads must reach 600 × 750 pixels or more.
• File size can range between 50 KB and 10 MB.
• The background colour should look light grey or cream.
• Expression needs to remain neutral with a closed mouth.
• Lighting must stay even without shadows.
• Head coverings work for religious or medical reasons.

3 Canada

Below are the guidelines for passport-size photo dimensions:

• Photo size must measure 50 mm × 70 mm.
• Head height should stay between 31 mm and 36 mm.
• The background must look white or off-white.
• No smiling is allowed during the photo.
• Only professional studio prints are accepted.
• Glasses need medical proof, though religious headgear is allowed.

4 Australia

To know about the rules related to passport-size photo dimensions, read the points given below:

• The photo size remains 35 mm × 45 mm.
• Head height should fall between 32 and 36 mm.
• Digital photos must range from 1200 × 1600 to 2400 × 3200 pixels.
• The background colour stays white or light grey.
• Expression must remain neutral with eyes open.
• No digital retouching is allowed.
• Glasses work only when the eyes stay visible.

5 Germany

Here are guidelines for Germany passport size photograph:

• Photo size must be 35 mm × 45 mm.
• The face should cover about 70–80% of the image height.
• The background must look plain and light in colour.
• Expression must stay neutral with a closed mouth.
• No digital editing is allowed.
• Glasses are fine if they hide no part of the eyes.

6 Japan

Read the following guidelines to know more about Japan's passport-size photo:

• Photo size must measure 35 mm × 45 mm.
• The background should stay plain white or light blue.
• Face position must sit in the centre.
• Expression must look natural and calm.
• No hats unless worn for religious reasons.

7 Singapore

Here are the passport-size photo dimensions rules:

• The photo size stays 35 mm × 45 mm.
• Digital images usually need high resolution.
• The background must remain plain white.
• Expression must stay neutral.
• No heavy editing is accepted.

8 United Arab Emirates

The UAE follows biometric photo rules for passports and visas, which are as follows:

• Photo size often stays around 40 mm × 60 mm.
• The background must appear white.
• The face must show fully from chin to forehead.
• Religious headgear is allowed if the face stays visible.
• Glasses may cause rejection if glare appears.

• Visit a professional photo studio that is aware of passport rules.
• Ask the photographer to follow government photo guidelines.
• Use a plain white or light background.
• Sit straight and face the camera fully.
• Keep your mouth closed and eyes open.
• Remove hats or caps unless worn for religious reasons.
• Check for shadows on your face or behind you.
• Avoid heavy makeup or bright accessories.
• Wear simple clothes in darker colours.
• Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes.
• Remove tinted glasses before the photo.
• Ask to review the photo before printing.
• Keep extra copies in case one gets rejected.
• Save the digital version for online use.