Passport photo sizes, and how to make one that's accepted

Two numbers decide whether a passport photo is accepted: its physical size and its file size. They're set by different parts of the process, which is why so many applications fail on one while satisfying the other.

Sizes by country

The 35 × 45 mm format covers most of the world. The US is the notable exception — square, and used for visas and the Diversity Visa lottery as well as passports.

Where the pixel numbers come from

Print size only means something alongside a resolution. Authorities generally expect 300 DPI — 300 dots per inch. To convert, divide the millimetres by 25.4 to get inches, then multiply by 300. So 35 mm ÷ 25.4 × 300 = 413 pixels, and 45 mm gives 531.

If a portal asks for pixels instead of millimetres, it's usually quoting the same photo at that resolution. Producing 413 × 531 satisfies both descriptions.

The file size trap

Having the right dimensions doesn't mean the upload will work. Portals commonly cap the file at 20 KB, 50 KB or 100 KB, and a 413 × 531 photo straight from a phone camera can still be several hundred kilobytes.

Resize first, then compress to the limit. Doing it the other way round undoes the compression, because resizing re-encodes the image.

Why photos get rejected

• Head size. Most authorities want the head to fill roughly 70–80% of the frame. Too far away is the most common rejection.
• Background. Plain, light, no shadow on the wall behind you, no pattern.
• Expression and eyes. Neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open and visible — no glare on glasses, and many countries now prefer no glasses at all.
• Lighting. Even, no hard shadow across the face, no flash reflection.
• Age. Usually taken within the last six months.

A cropping tool gets the dimensions exactly right, but it can't judge head height or lighting. Check the finished photo against the official template before you submit.