UK Visas and Immigration applies the same photograph standard as HM Passport Office: 35×45 mm proportions, the head 29–34 mm from chin to crown, a plain light-grey or cream background, neutral expression and a photo taken in the last month. Many applicants now have the photo captured at a visa application centre or through the UK Immigration: ID Check app, but online forms for several routes still take an uploaded digital photo, and some centres ask for a print.
Make and check a UK visa UKVI photo Free checker; files from A$6.99.
Specification
| Photo size | 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) |
|---|---|
| Pixels at 300 / 600 dpi | 413 × 531 px / 827 × 1063 px |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 29–34 mm |
| Eye line from bottom | not specified |
| Head width | not specified |
| Space above the crown | not specified |
| Background | white or light grey |
| 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 month |
| Print requirements | photo paper, no creases — Most UKVI applications now capture a photo at the visa application centre or via the UK Immigration: ID Check app; printed photos are rarely required. |
| Digital upload | 1050×1350 px JPEG, 50–10 MB (UK visa online application / ID Check app); 827×1063 px JPEG (Printing a 35×45 mm photo where a centre asks for one) |
| Self-taken photos | accepted |
| Prints needed | none |
| Infant rules | eyes may be closed, mouth may be open (under 6) |
| Official source | GOV.UK – Visa application photograph guidance |
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).
- GOV.UK blocked the fetch of the visa photograph guidance. The guidance applies the HMPO standard: 35×45 mm, head 29–34 mm, plain light grey or cream background, and for digital uploads a clear JPEG from a camera or phone. Exact digital limits for the UKVI online form were not confirmed; the passport digital rules (at least 600×750 px, 50 KB–10 MB) are used.
- Check your route: many UKVI routes capture the photo themselves and need no upload.
Can I take it myself? Yes
Yes where the form takes an upload. GOV.UK allows a photo taken with your own device for passport applications and the visa guidance follows the same standard; the ID Check app takes a live photo of you itself. If your route sends you to a visa application centre for biometrics, the centre captures the photo and you need nothing, so check the route page before buying. Background editing is not permitted.
How to take the photo
- Use a plain light-grey or cream wall, stand half a metre in front of it and face a window. No flash; no shadows on the wall or face.
- Someone else takes the photo from 1.5 metres at eye level with shoulders in frame and space above the head.
- Plain expression, mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at the camera, hair off the face.
- Take glasses off if you can; if you must wear them, no tint, no glare, frames clear of the eyes.
- Take it within a month of applying, and use the camera's original file for the upload.
- If the centre asks for prints, print two 35×45 mm photos from our sheet on photo paper.
Why UK visa UKVI photos get rejected
- Shadow on face or background. Face the light and step away from the wall; the most common UKVI rejection.
- Head outside 29–34 mm. Adjust the head-size control until the readout is in band.
- Background too dark or patterned. Plain light grey or cream, contrasting with hair.
- Glare on glasses. Remove them.
- Photo altered. No filters or background edits; retake instead.
- Photo older than a month. Take a fresh one.
- Low resolution. Use the original file; at least 600×750 px.
Infants and children
Children must be alone in the photo. Under six they need not look at the camera or hold a plain expression; under one the eyes may be closed. Lay the baby on a plain light sheet and shoot from above, supporting the head from under the sheet so no hand shows.
Step by step: UK visa online application
- Start the online application for your visa route on GOV.UK and complete the form.
- If the route uses the UK Immigration: ID Check app, it will take your photo itself; if it asks for an uploaded photograph, use the UKVI JPEG from this tool.
- If you are booked for biometrics at a visa application centre, the centre takes your photo; bring a print only if your appointment confirmation asks for one.
File limits: JPEG at 35×45 mm proportions, plain light background, taken within a month. Digital limits follow the HMPO rules (at least 600×750 px, 50 KB–10 MB) and are flagged for re-checking.
Open UK visa online application
What it costs
Boots, Tesco and photo booths charge £8–16 for a set. Our Single licence is £3.99 for the upload file and print sheets for 30 days; the free checker confirms the 29–34 mm head band first.
UK visa UKVI photo FAQ
Do I need a photo for a UK visa?
It depends on the route. The ID Check app and visa application centres capture it; some online forms take an upload and some centres ask for a print.
What size is a UK visa photo?
35×45 mm with the head 29–34 mm, plain light-grey or cream background, same as a UK passport photo.
How recent must it be?
Taken in the last month, the same rule HM Passport Office applies to digital photos.
Can I wear glasses?
Only if you must; no tint, no glare, frames clear of the eyes.
Can I edit the background?
No. Retake against a plain wall.
Is the passport photo the same?
Yes, the same standard; a Single licence covers both as the same document size.
Related documents
UK passport
35×45 mm · head 29–34 mmUK driving licence photo (DVLA online)
35×45 mm · head 29–34 mmSchengen visa photo
35×45 mm · head 32–36 mmLast verified 2026-10-28 against GOV.UK – Visa application photograph guidance. Spotted a mistake? Report an error.