UK passport photo requirements 2026: the three rules that catch most applicants

The practical answer

UK passport photos must be 35×45mm for printed applications. For digital applications via GOV.UK, the file must be a JPEG, minimum 600×750 pixels, between 50KB and 10MB. The background must be plain and light-coloured — HMPO prefers light grey or cream; plain white is technically accepted but grey or cream provides better contrast for the automated check. The head must measure 29–34mm from chin to crown within the 35×45mm frame. The photo must have been taken within one month of the submission date. Glasses must be removed. No digital retouching or software alteration is permitted in the official photo.

Where people get surprised

Three rules differ from what most people expect from generic passport photo guidance. First, the background: unlike the US (plain white only) and most other countries, the UK prefers light grey or cream — submitting with a pure white background is not automatically wrong, but grey or cream is safer and is what HMPO's automated checker is calibrated for. Second, the one-month recency rule: most countries allow photos up to six months old. HMPO allows one month. A photo taken five weeks before submission is outside compliance. The December 2025 update removed a previous exemption for children's photos — the one-month rule now applies universally regardless of age. Third, glasses: the UK banned glasses from passport photos in 2018. No exceptions for prescription, clear, or non-reflective lenses unless a signed medical statement is provided.

How PassSnap fits

PassSnap 2.0 supports the UK Passport photo type with HMPO-specific crop dimensions, background guidance, and export settings. The official package contains no software alteration as required by HMPO. The optional AI verify step checks glasses, expression, and background compliance before export — without modifying the original file.

Before you take the photo

• Use a plain light grey, cream, or white wall. HMPO accepts all light-coloured backgrounds; light grey or cream provides slightly better facial contrast for the automated checker, but plain white is fully permitted.
• Take the photo within a few days of submitting your application, not weeks in advance. The one-month recency rule is strictly enforced; a photo taken more than a month before submission will be rejected.
• Remove glasses entirely. The UK has banned glasses from passport photos since 2018. No exceptions apply unless you have a signed medical professional statement.
• For digital applications via GOV.UK, export a JPEG between 50KB and 10MB at minimum 600×750 pixels. The GOV.UK online checker will flag files outside this range before you complete the application.
• Use soft front-facing natural light. Shadows on the face or background are a common rejection reason. Face a window; turn off overhead lights.

FAQ