Passport Photo Requirements by Country

Standard passport photo requirements include: correct size (usually 35x45mm / 3.5x4.5 cm or 2x2 inches / 5.1x5.1 cm), a plain white or light-colored background, neutral facial expression with mouth closed, both eyes open and visible, no glasses (most countries), photo taken within the last 6 months, and high-resolution print quality (300 DPI minimum). Specific requirements vary by country.

The most common passport photo size is 35x45mm (3.5x4.5 cm, 1.4x1.8 inches), the ICAO standard used by 170+ countries. The US and India use 51x51mm (5.1x5.1 cm, 2x2 inches). Canada uses 50x70mm (5x7 cm, 2x2.8 inches). China uses 33x48mm (3.3x4.8 cm, 1.3x1.9 inches). Always verify your country's specific size.

Most countries require a white or off-white background, including the US, UK, India, and Australia. Some European countries like Poland accept light grey. A few countries accept light blue backgrounds. The background must always be plain, uniform, and free of shadows or patterns.

Yes. Most countries accept self-taken passport photos as long as they meet official requirements for size, background, lighting, and facial positioning. With Last Min ID Photo, you can upload any selfie and our AI generates a fully compliant passport photo in under 60 seconds — no studio needed.

Most countries now prohibit glasses in passport photos, including the US (since 2016), UK, Australia (since 2018), and most of Europe. This policy prevents glare and ensures clear biometric scanning of the eye area. If you have a medical exemption, contact your local passport office.

Digital passport photos typically require a minimum of 600x600 pixels (for 2x2 inch photos) or 413x531 pixels (for 35x45mm photos) at 300 DPI. File format is usually JPEG with a maximum size of 240KB (US) to 10MB depending on the country. Color space must be sRGB, and the image must not be digitally altered beyond basic brightness/contrast adjustments.

Drug stores charge $15-$17 per set. Photo studios charge $10-$20. Online services like Last Min ID Photo offer professional-quality results for $9.99 with the convenience of taking your photo at home and downloading instantly.

Options include photo studios, retail stores (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart), post offices, and online services. Online generators are the fastest — upload a selfie, get a compliant photo in 60 seconds, and print at home or any photo kiosk.

No. While the ICAO 35x45mm (3.5x4.5 cm) format is most common, requirements for photo size, background color, head positioning, and attire vary by country. The US requires white backgrounds with 2x2 inch (5.1x5.1 cm) photos, while many European countries accept light grey backgrounds with 35x45mm photos.