Getting a passport photo taken at a pharmacy or photo studio typically costs between five and fifteen dollars, and the results are often unflattering. The good news is that you can create perfectly compliant passport photos at home using your smartphone and a free online tool. This guide walks you through the requirements for major countries, how to take a proper photo, and how to prepare print-ready sheets that you can print at home or at any photo kiosk.
Passport Photo Requirements by Country
Every country has specific requirements for passport photos, including exact dimensions, background color, and head positioning. Using the wrong size or format is the most common reason passport applications get rejected. Here are the requirements for the most frequently requested countries.
United States
- Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm)
- Background: Plain white or off-white
- Head height: Between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (25-35 mm) from chin to top of head
- Recency: Must be taken within the last 6 months
- Expression: Neutral expression with both eyes open, mouth closed
- Glasses: Not permitted since November 2016
United Kingdom
- Size: 35 x 45 mm
- Background: Plain light grey or cream
- Head height: Between 29-34 mm from chin to crown
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, no smiling
- Glasses: Not permitted since February 2023 for new applications
European Union (Schengen)
- Size: 35 x 45 mm (standard across most EU countries)
- Background: Light grey, light blue, or white depending on the specific country
- Head height: 32-36 mm from chin to crown
- Expression: Neutral expression with mouth closed
- Note: Some EU countries have slightly different requirements. Always verify with your specific country’s passport authority.
Canada
- Size: 50 x 70 mm
- Background: Plain white or light-colored
- Head height: Between 31-36 mm from chin to crown
- Expression: Neutral with mouth closed
- Frame: Full face and shoulders visible, centered in the frame
India
- Size: 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) for passport; 35 x 45 mm for some visa applications
- Background: Plain white
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed
- Head coverage: Religious head coverings are permitted if they do not obscure the face
How to Take a Good Passport Photo at Home
You do not need a professional camera or studio to take a passport photo that meets official requirements. A smartphone with a decent camera and proper technique will produce excellent results.
Setting Up Your Background
Find a plain, light-colored wall in your home. A white or light grey wall works for most countries. If your walls are colored or textured, hang a large white sheet or poster board behind you. Make sure the background is free of shadows, patterns, and visible objects. Stand at least half a meter away from the wall to minimize shadows cast by your body.
Lighting
Natural light is your best option. Stand facing a large window so the light falls evenly across your face. Avoid standing directly under overhead lights, which create harsh shadows under your eyes, nose, and chin. If natural light is not available, use two lamps placed at equal distances on either side of the camera to create even illumination. The goal is a well-lit face with minimal shadows.
Camera Position and Framing
Place your camera at eye level. If using a smartphone, set it on a tripod or prop it against a stable surface. Use the self-timer to avoid blurry shots from pressing the shutter button. Frame the photo so your head and the top of your shoulders are visible, with some space above your head. It is better to capture slightly more than needed because you will crop the image precisely later.
Expression and Pose
Look directly at the camera lens. Keep your expression neutral with your mouth closed. Both eyes should be open and clearly visible. Do not tilt your head in any direction. Remove glasses unless they are required for medical reasons (and even then, check your country’s current rules). Pull hair away from your face so both ears and your full forehead are visible.
Creating Your Passport Photo Online
Once you have a good source photo, the ConvertKr Passport Photo Maker helps you crop and format it to meet your country’s exact specifications.
Step 1: Upload Your Photo
Upload the photo you took at home. The tool will display it with an overlay guide showing the correct head position and size for your selected country.
Step 2: Select Your Country
Choose your destination country from the dropdown menu. The tool automatically applies the correct photo dimensions, head size requirements, and background color guidelines. If your country is not listed, you can enter custom dimensions manually.
Step 3: Adjust the Crop
Position your face within the guide overlay. The guide shows you exactly where your chin, crown, and eyes should fall to meet the official requirements. Adjust the zoom and position until your face fits correctly within the template.
Step 4: Generate a Print Sheet
The tool generates a print-ready sheet with multiple copies of your passport photo arranged on a standard 4×6 inch or A4 page. This format is ready to print at home on photo paper or at any drug store or office supply store photo kiosk. You typically get 4 to 8 photos per sheet, saving significant money compared to professional photo services.
Printing Your Passport Photos
After creating your print sheet, you have several options for getting physical copies.
- Home printer: Use glossy photo paper for the best results. Set your printer to the highest quality setting and make sure the print size matches the sheet dimensions exactly. Do not use scaling or “fit to page” options, as these will change the photo dimensions.
- Photo kiosk: Most drug stores and large retailers have self-service photo kiosks. Upload your print sheet file, select the matching print size, and disable any auto-crop or auto-enhance features.
- Online print service: Upload to an online photo printing service and order standard size prints. This is the most convenient option and typically costs less than a dollar per sheet.
Common Reasons Passport Photos Get Rejected
Passport agencies are strict about photo requirements. Avoid these common mistakes that lead to rejected applications.
- Wrong dimensions: Even a few millimeters off can result in rejection. Always use a tool with built-in country-specific templates rather than cropping manually.
- Shadows on the face or background: Even faint shadows can cause rejection. Ensure even lighting and sufficient distance from the background wall.
- Incorrect head size: Your head must fall within the specified size range. Too close or too far from the camera produces a head that is too large or too small.
- Visible teeth or smiling: Many countries require a completely neutral expression. Even a slight smile with closed lips might be flagged.
- Wearing glasses: Most countries now prohibit glasses in passport photos. Remove them before taking your photo.
- Red-eye: Camera flash can cause red-eye. Use natural light or an indirect flash to avoid this issue.
- Low resolution or blurry image: The photo must be sharp and well-focused. Use a tripod or stable surface and make sure your camera is focused on your face.
Creating passport photos at home is straightforward once you know the requirements and have the right tool. The passport photo maker handles the technical details so you can focus on getting a good photo. You will save money, have full control over the result, and can retake as many times as you need until you are satisfied.