Everything you need to know about UK visa photo requirements for visitor, student, work, and settlement visa applications, including exact dimensions, background colour, pose rules, and how to take a compliant photo at home.
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Document Type | Visa (Visitor, Student, Work, Settlement) |
| Photo Size | 35 × 45 mm (3.5 × 4.5 cm) |
| Resolution (DPI) | 600 |
| Head Size | 29–34 mm from crown of head to chin |
| Head Proportion | 70–80% of the photograph |
| Background Color | Plain light grey or cream |
| Printable | Yes — 2 identical photos required |
| Digital for Online Submission | Yes (for online visa applications) |
| Digital Photo Size | At least 600 × 750 pixels (recommended: 826 × 1062 pixels) |
| Digital File Size | 50 KB – 10 MB |
| Photo Paper Type | Matte or glossy |
| Color | Color only |
| Recency | Taken within the last month |
UK visa photos follow the same strict rules as UK passport photos. Whether you are applying for a visitor visa, student visa, work visa, or settlement visa, the photo requirements are identical. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.
All UK visa applications require photos that meet the same standards as UK passport photos. This applies to every visa type including Standard Visitor Visa, Student Visa (Tier 4), Work Visa, Settlement Visa, and Transit Visa. The rules are set by HM Passport Office and apply uniformly across all visa categories.
It is best to remove glasses if possible when having your UK visa photo taken. If you must wear them:
If you are applying for your UK visa online, you can upload a digital photo during the application process. The digital photo must meet the same quality rules as a printed photo, with the following additional requirements:
The following UK visa categories all require photos that meet the same 35x45mm specification:
Source: UK Government — Passport Photo Rules (same rules apply to visa photos)
You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant UK visa photo at home using your smartphone.
Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a visa-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.
Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.
Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.
Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid uniforms and light-coloured tops that blend with the background. If you wear religious head coverings daily, you may keep them on as long as your full face is visible.
Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or cast shadows on your face.
Stand about 1.5 metres in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible.
Keep your face relaxed with a plain expression. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. Do not smile — the UK requires a completely neutral expression with no raised eyebrows.
Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable visa photos
A UK visa photo must be 35x45mm (3.5x4.5cm). Your head must measure between 29mm and 34mm from the crown of your head to your chin, occupying 70-80% of the photograph.
Yes. UK visa photos follow the same specifications as UK passport photos: 35x45mm size, light grey or cream background, head size 29-34mm, neutral expression with mouth closed, taken within the last month. The same photo can be used for both applications.
The background must be a plain light grey or cream colour. No patterns, objects, shadows, or other people should be visible. If you don't have a suitable background, our tool will automatically replace it with the correct colour.
You need 2 identical printed photos for a UK visa application. Both photos must meet the same requirements and be of professional quality, printed on matte or glossy photo paper.
Yes. For online visa applications, you can upload a digital photo during the application process. It must be at least 600x750 pixels (recommended: 826x1062 pixels), and the file size must be between 50KB and 10MB in JPEG format.
No. You must maintain a plain, neutral expression with your mouth closed. Smiling, frowning, and raised eyebrows are not permitted. Both eyes must be open and clearly visible.
It is best to remove glasses if possible. If you must wear them, they must not be sunglasses or tinted lenses, and there must be no glare or reflection on the lenses. Your eyes must be clearly visible through the lenses.
Your UK visa photo must have been taken within the last month. It should reflect your current appearance. Using an older photo may result in your visa application being delayed or rejected.
