Condensed guide. Read the full Japan visa photo requirements or the rejection diagnostic.
Specification
| Photo size | 45 × 45 mm (1.77 × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels at 300 / 600 dpi | 531 × 531 px / 1063 × 1063 px |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 27–34 mm |
| Eye line from bottom | not specified |
| Head width | not specified |
| Space above the crown | not specified |
| Background | plain and light |
| Background editing | not allowed (retake instead) |
| Glasses | allowed only with no glare and frames clear of the eyes |
| Expression | neutral, mouth closed |
| Recency | taken in the last 6 months |
| Print requirements | photo paper, glued or stapled to the form as instructed — One 45×45 mm photo attached to the visa application form; write your name on the back if the embassy asks. |
| Digital upload | 1063×1063 px JPEG (Printing the 45×45 mm photo for the paper form); 1063×1063 px JPEG (Japan eVISA (where available for your nationality)) |
| Self-taken photos | accepted |
| Prints needed | 1 |
| Infant rules | eyes may be closed, mouth may be open (under 1) |
| Official source | MOFA – Visa (application requirements) |
Check the official source. Some values on this page could not be confirmed from the official page when it was last checked (2026-10-28).
- The MOFA visa FAQ could not be fetched. Japanese embassies specify a 45×45 mm photo taken within six months on a plain white or light background; some consulates accept 35×45 mm. Head band is an ICAO-style estimate. Confirm with the embassy or consulate you apply through.
- Confirm 45×45 mm versus 35×45 mm with the embassy you are using.
Can I take it myself? Yes
Yes. Japanese embassies and consulates publish the requirement and accept any photo meeting it; there is no photographer rule. The square 45×45 mm format is the detail people miss, because booths and shops default to 35×45 mm. The tool crops to the square; if your consulate takes 35×45 mm, use the Japanese passport preset instead.
Why Japan visa photos get rejected
- Wrong size (35×45 mm where 45×45 mm is required). Use this square preset.
- Face not centred or too small. The checker reports head height and centring on the 45 mm square.
- Shadow behind the head. Light from the front and step away from the wall.
- Background not plain. Use a plain light wall.
- Photo older than six months. Take a new one.
Japan visa photo FAQ
What size is a Japan visa photo?
45×45 mm square for most embassies, taken within six months on a plain light background. Some consulates accept 35×45 mm; check yours.
Is it the same as the Japanese passport photo?
No. The passport photo is 35×45 mm with a top-margin rule; the visa photo is a 45 mm square.
Can I apply online?
Some nationalities can use the eVISA portal with an uploaded square photo; others apply on paper.
Can I wear glasses?
Only without glare and with the eyes clearly visible.
How many photos?
One photo, glued or stapled to the application form as the embassy instructs.
What background colour?
Plain white or light, no pattern or shadow.
Related documents
Last verified 2026-10-28 against MOFA – Visa (application requirements). Spotted a mistake? Report an error.