United Kingdom Visa Photo

The United Kingdom (UK) has specific requirements for visa photos that must be followed in order to ensure a successful visa application. This document will outline the guidelines for the UK visa photo and provide you with the necessary information to meet these requirements.

1. Size and Dimensions:

- The photo must measure 45 millimeters (mm) high by 35mm wide.

- The photo should have a head height of 29 mm to 34 mm, measured from the crown of the head to the chin.

- The photo should be taken without any borders.

2. Background:

- The background of the photo should be a plain cream or light grey

- Avoid using patterned or textured backgrounds.

- The background should be free from shadows or reflections.

3. Post and Facial Expression:

- The applicant should have a neutral expression with the mouth closed.

- The eyes should be open and clearly visible, with no hair covering the face.

- The photo should be a close-up of your full head and upper shoulders

- The photo should contain no other objects or people

- The subject should be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera

- Glasses cannot be worn unless you absolutely have to. If you must wear glasses, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses, and you must make sure your eyes are not covered by the frames or any glare, reflection or shadow.

4. Clothing:

- The applicant should wear their everyday clothing for the visa photo.

- Avoid wearing uniforms or clothing that may obscure the face or create confusion.

5. Lighting:

- The photo should have even lighting across the face, with no shadows.

- Avoid using flash photography, as it can cause harsh shadows and reflections.

- The photo does not have ‘red eye’

6. Printing:

- The UK visa photo should be printed on high-quality photo paper.

- The photo should be clear and in sharp focus, with no pixelation or blurriness.

- The photo should not have any creases or tears

Photos for child passports

Children must be on their own in the picture. Babies must not be holding toys or using dummies.

If the child is under 6, they don't have to be looking directly at the camera or have a neutral expression.

If the child is under 1, their eyes don't have to be open. If their head is supported by a hand, the hand mustn't be visible in the photo.

Passport photos: dos and don'ts

Do I Need to Upload a Photo for a UK Visa?

Not every UK visa applicant needs to upload a separate photograph.

How your photo is collected depends on how you prove your identity.

If You Use the UK Immigration: ID Check App

You may be asked to take a new photograph of your face using your phone as part of the identity verification process.

Follow the instructions shown in the app.

If Your Online Application Asks for a Digital Photo

Upload a new photo that meets the digital photo requirements shown on your application.

Do not simply photograph the photo page of your passport or upload an old passport photograph unless your application specifically tells you to do so.

If You Attend a Visa Application Centre

Your digital photograph is normally taken when your biometric information is collected.

You may therefore not need to bring your own visa photographs unless your application checklist specifically asks for them.

If You Are Asked for Printed Photos

Some application routes or supporting-document procedures may still request printed passport-style photographs.

Always check the document checklist provided with your application.

Digital UK Visa Photo Size

If you are required to upload a digital photograph, the image should be at least:

600 pixels wide × 750 pixels high

The photograph should be vertical rather than landscape.

The digital file should be between:

50 KB and 6 MB

Use:

JPG or JPEG format

Avoid submitting screenshots, scanned identity documents or photographs of printed photographs.

Does a UK Visa Photo Need to Be 35 × 45 mm?

The familiar 35 × 45 mm measurement applies to printed UK passport-style photographs.

A digital UK visa application is normally measured in pixels and file size instead of millimetres.

If your application specifically asks you to provide printed photographs, follow the instructions supplied with your application.

For standard UK passport-style printed photos, the photograph is typically:

• 35 mm wide
• 45 mm high
• Printed on professional-quality photographic paper
• Printed without a border
• Clear and in focus

Do not assume that printed photographs are required for every UK visa application.

How to Make a UK Visa Photo With 123PassportPhoto

You can use 123PassportPhoto to crop, resize and prepare your UK visa photograph online.

Step 1: Take a Suitable Photo

Ask another person to take your photograph using a smartphone or digital camera.

Step 2: Upload Your Photograph

Upload the original photo from your phone, tablet or computer.

Use a clear, high-resolution original image. Do not upload a photograph copied from your passport or another identity document.

Step 3: Process the photo

123PassportPhoto helps prepare the image at 35 × 45 mm printable photo template and provides downloadable digital photo for online submission.

Step 4: Download Your UK Visa Photo

Download the prepared photograph in the format you need.

For a printed photograph, print it on suitable photographic paper without stretching or changing the image proportions.

Official UK Government – Digital Visa Photo Requirements:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-take-a-photo-for-a-visa-application-or-permission