Universal rules every country shares
- Plain background. White or off-white (never patterned).
- Neutral expression, mouth closed (a small smile is rejected in 19 countries).
- Both ears or hairline visible (no covering hair).
- Eyes open, looking at camera, no red-eye.
- Recent (taken within the last 6 months).
- No filters, no beauty mode, no Photoshop slimming.
- Glasses generally allowed for medical reasons only — every passport-issuing authority since 2017 prefers no glasses.
- Head must occupy 70–80 % of frame height.
India — passport, PAN, voter ID
Passport: 35 × 45 mm, white background, mat finish. Face from chin to crown should be 25–35 mm. No glasses unless prescribed.
PAN card: 25 × 35 mm, white or light background.
Voter ID: 25 × 35 mm, light background acceptable.
United States
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm), white or off-white background, head 1–1⅜ inches from chin to crown. No glasses since 2016. Printed on matte or glossy photo paper.
United Kingdom
45 × 35 mm. Light grey or cream background (pure white is rejected). Head 29–34 mm from chin to crown. Eyes 14–17 mm from chin. No glasses.
Schengen (26 EU countries)
35 × 45 mm, light grey background, head 32–36 mm. ICAO 9303 compliant. No tinted glasses, no head covering except religious.
Canada
50 × 70 mm (note: taller than wide). White background. Face 31–36 mm. Photographer's name, address and date stamped on the back.
Australia
35 × 45 mm, light grey background. Head 32–36 mm. No smile. Two identical prints; one endorsed by a guarantor on the back.
China
33 × 48 mm (Z-visa, X-visa). White background for visa, pale blue for resident permit. No glasses. Eyebrows visible.
Japan
35 × 45 mm. White or light grey. Head 32–36 mm. Taken within 6 months. Glasses must not reflect light.
UAE / Saudi visas
43 × 55 mm, white background. Head must occupy 70–80 % of frame. Light against headscarves accepted but face fully visible from forehead to chin.
Step-by-step: shoot and crop a compliant photo at home
- 1Find a wall painted white, off-white or light grey (no patterns, no shadows).
- 2Stand 1 m in front of the wall. Have someone shoot from 1.5 m away, camera at eye level.
- 3Use natural daylight from a window (not direct sun). Avoid overhead fluorescent — it casts under-eye shadows.
- 4Neutral expression, eyes open, no glasses unless prescribed.
- 5Open the EazyAITools Passport Photo Maker, upload, pick the target country.
- 6The tool auto-crops to the correct head ratio and outputs the right pixel and millimetre size.
- 7Print at a local Kodak/photo lab on 4 × 6 photo paper — costs ₹20–₹50.
Common rejection reasons
- Background isn't actually plain — gradient from wall corner is detectable.
- Smile or teeth showing.
- Glasses reflecting flash.
- Hair covers one or both ears.
- Photo more than 6 months old (judged by visible age change).
- Wrong head-to-frame ratio (too zoomed out or too cropped in).
- Pixelated print (printer DPI too low).
FAQ
- Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
- Yes. Modern phone cameras meet the 600 DPI print requirement. Use the rear camera (not the selfie cam) and avoid Portrait mode — the synthetic blur is detected and rejected.
- Do I need a professional photographer?
- Most countries don't require it. Canada does (the photographer must endorse the back of the print). Check your specific country's policy.
- How many copies should I print?
- Bring at least four. Embassies frequently ask for two for the form and one for the file; spares save a second trip if any get rejected.
- Is a white shirt OK against a white background?
- Avoid it. The face-detection algorithm at most embassies needs a visible neckline. Wear a dark or coloured top.
- Can I wear religious head coverings?
- Yes — every major country allows hijab, dastaar, kippah, etc. The face from chin to forehead must still be fully visible.
- How long are passport photos valid?
- Most countries accept photos up to 6 months old. After that they're rejected on appearance grounds.