Visa Photo Requirements 2026 — Size, Background & Specifications by Country
An incorrect passport photo is one of the most common reasons visa applications are rejected. This guide covers the exact specifications required by 15 major destination countries in 2026.
Important: eVisa digital photo uploads must typically be JPEG format, under 1 MB, and taken within the last 6 months. Printed photos must be colour, matte or glossy, not pixelated or edited.
Standard International Visa Photo Specifications
- Size: 35 mm × 45 mm (most of Europe, Asia, Australia)
- Background: Plain white or off-white — no shadows, patterns, or objects
- Face coverage: 70–80% of the frame; head fully visible including top of hair
- Expression: Neutral, eyes open and looking directly at the camera
- Glasses: Not permitted for US, UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen since 2022
- Recency: Taken within the last 6 months (some countries require 3 months)
- Digital format: JPEG/JPG, 600×800 px minimum, file size under 1 MB
Photo Requirements by Country — 2026
| Country | Size (mm) | Background | Recency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 51 × 51 | White | 6 months | Head must be 25–35 mm tall in frame |
| UK | 35 × 45 | Cream/white | 6 months | No glasses; head 29–34 mm in frame |
| Schengen (EU) | 35 × 45 | White/light grey | 6 months | ICAO standard; no glasses since 2022 |
| Australia | 35 × 45 | White/off-white | 6 months | For eVisitor / ETA: digital only, no print |
| Canada | 50 × 70 | White | 6 months | Head 31–36 mm tall; no glasses |
| India | 51 × 51 | White | 3 months | eVisa upload: JPEG under 1 MB, 10–300 KB |
| Thailand | 35 × 45 | White | 6 months | eVisa: JPEG, 200 KB–2 MB |
| Vietnam | 40 × 60 | White | 6 months | eVisa: JPEG min 400×600 px |
| Turkey | 50 × 60 | White | 6 months | eVisa upload: JPEG, colour, under 300 KB |
| Japan | 45 × 45 | White/light grey | 6 months | Face must fill 70–80% of frame |
| China | 33 × 48 | White | 6 months | Ears must be visible; no hat |
| UAE | 43 × 55 | White | 3 months | No head covering except for religious reasons |
| Saudi Arabia | 40 × 60 | White | 3 months | Colour, matte finish preferred |
| Indonesia | 35 × 45 | Red (for tourist) / White | 6 months | Background colour depends on visa category |
| Singapore | 35 × 45 | White | 3 months | ICAO standard; glasses not recommended |
Common Rejection Reasons for Visa Photos
- Photo taken more than 6 months ago
- Shadow on the background or face
- Wearing glasses (prohibited by most countries since 2022)
- Wearing a hat or head covering (unless for religious purposes)
- Smiling or mouth open
- Image too dark, blurry, or digitally altered
- Wrong dimensions or file size for digital upload
- Wearing a uniform or camouflage clothing
- Red-eye or uneven lighting
- Head tilted or eyes not looking directly at the camera
Editorial Team — eVisa-Card.com
Last updated: March 2026.
Photo specifications change periodically. Always verify at the official embassy or consulate website before submitting.