UK passport, visa and BRP photo requirements

UK passport, visa, and biometric residence permit photos share the same 35 × 45 mm format, and the rules are checked closely — a photo that's slightly cropped wrong, or has any shadow on the background, is one of the more common reasons an online application gets held up.

Background

The background should be plain, light grey or cream, with no marks, shadows, or texture. Photos taken against household walls often fail here because of uneven lighting rather than the wall colour itself — even a light wall throws a visible shadow if the light source is off to one side. Diffuse, even light (a bright but overcast day near a window works well) gives the most consistent result.

Head position and expression

Face the camera directly with a neutral expression — mouth closed, no smiling, both eyes open and clearly visible. Head height (chin to top of head) needs to fall between 29 and 34 mm within the 35 × 45 mm frame. Hair should not cover the eyes, and if hair covers the outline of the face that can also cause an issue with photo-matching software used during application processing.

What isn't allowed

• Glasses that cause glare, tinted lenses, or heavy frames that obscure the eyes — plain glasses with clear lenses and no glare are usually fine, but many applicants find it simpler to remove them.
• Hats or head coverings, except for religious or medical reasons, and even then the face must be fully visible from chin to forehead.
• Other people, pets, or objects in the frame.
• Filters, digital retouching, or red-eye correction beyond what a standard camera applies automatically.

Taking the source photo

1. Stand roughly a metre from a plain light-coloured wall, with even light falling on your face — a window in front of you rather than behind works best.
2. Keep the camera at eye level rather than angled up or down, which distorts proportions.
3. Remove glasses, hats, and anything covering your hairline if possible.
4. Take several shots at slightly different framing so you have options when cropping.

Digital vs printed photo

Online applications generally accept a digital upload directly, while postal applications and some in-person services still require a printed photo. If you need a print, the tool above can generate a 4×6 inch sheet with several 35 × 45 mm copies laid out at true size, ready to cut and hand in.

Common rejection reasons, in order of frequency

• Shadow visible on the background
• Head too small, too large, or off-centre in the frame
• Hair partially covering the face outline
• Smiling or an open mouth instead of a neutral expression
• Glasses causing glare or obscuring the eyes
• Photo more than a month old, or not resembling current appearance

Frequently asked questions

Requirements are set by the relevant passport and visa authorities and can change — this page is a practical summary rather than an official source. Confirm current detail before you submit an application.