Whether you are applying for an Indian Passport renewal, a US Non-Immigrant Visa (DS-160), a UK Visa, or a European Schengen Visa, submitting a photo that fails diplomatic standards can delay your travel plans by weeks or lead to outright appointment rejection.
In this guide, we break down the exact dimensional rules, lighting specifications, and background requirements across major passport and visa systems.
Global Passport Photo Size Comparison
| Country / Visa Type | Standard Dimensions | Head / Face Coverage | Background Color |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Passport / OCI | 3.5 ร 4.5 cm (35 ร 45 mm) | 70% โ 80% of frame | Plain White or Off-White |
| US Visa (DS-160) | 2 ร 2 inches (51 ร 51 mm / 600ร600 px) | 50% โ 69% from chin to top of hair | Pure Plain White |
| Schengen Visa (Europe) | 3.5 ร 4.5 cm (35 ร 45 mm) | 70% โ 80% (32โ36 mm face height) | Light Grey or Light Blue |
| UK Passport & Visa | 3.5 ร 4.5 cm (35 ร 45 mm) | 29 mm โ 34 mm face height | Light Grey or Cream |
Essential Photo Guidelines to Avoid Rejection
- Neutral Facial Expression: Both eyes open, mouth closed, looking directly into the camera lens with no smiling or head tilt.
- No Eyeglasses Reflection: Most embassies now strongly recommend removing eyeglasses completely to prevent flash glare obscuring your pupils.
- Headgear & Religious Attire: Head coverings worn for religious reasons are permitted, but the full face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead must be completely uncovered.
- Even Studio Lighting: Ensure there are no dark shadows under the eyes, nose, or behind the head on the background wall.
Create Printable Passport Photos for Free
Use our Passport Photo Maker to crop your photo to the exact millimeter specifications, replace background with clean white, and generate a printable 4x6 inch grid for physical photo prints.
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