Country Guidesโ€ข5 min read

UK Passport Photo Rules 2026: Size, Background & Guidelines

HM Passport Office has specific requirements for passport photos. Here's the complete guide for UK applicants.

Updated: February 20, 2026โ€ขOriginally published: January 20, 2026

UK passport photo specifications

ParameterRequirement
Print size35ร—45 mm
BackgroundPlain light grey or white
ExpressionNeutral, mouth closed
GlassesNot allowed
Digital formatJPEG
RecencyWithin last month (for new passports)

UK-specific rules

  • UK requires photos taken within the last month for new passport applications โ€” stricter than most countries.
  • Background can be light grey or white โ€” unlike the US which requires pure white.
  • No smiling โ€” neutral expression only.
  • Children under 6 don't need to have their eyes open (but it's preferred).

How to prepare

Use PhotoResizer.us to resize to 35ร—45 mm equivalent pixels (approximately 600ร—750 px for digital uploads). Use the Background Changer for a clean white/grey background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions regarding official biometric guidelines and photo preparation.

No. The UK Passport Office requires you to remove glasses for passport photos. Medical exceptions may apply with documentation.

Ready to format your photo to official specifications?

Use our Biometric Compliance Studio to auto-crop, verify head ratios, and create a pure certified background in 15 seconds.