Guide
Passport & visa photo requirements
Head size, background, lighting, glasses, and exactly when you can smile — explained clearly and verified against official government sources. Every rule below is the same one Snapassport checks your photo against, free, before you pay.
Expression — when can you smile?
This is the most misunderstood rule. The short version: the US passport is the only common document that lets you smile — and even then only a closed-mouth smile. The US Department of State puts it plainly: “You can smile in your photo. Just make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed.”
Every other document here — the US visa, UK, Canada, Australia and the Schengen area — requires a neutral expression with the mouth closed. And no document in the world permits visible teeth or an open mouth for adults. So if you’re unsure, a calm, neutral expression is always safe.
Background
A plain, light, uniform background with no shadows, patterns, or objects behind you. The exact colour varies — white, off-white, light grey, or cream depending on the document. Snapassport segments you from your surroundings and composites you over the exact compliant colour for your document automatically, so a busy or off-colour background is corrected for you at no extra cost.
Glasses & head coverings
Glasses: the United States rejects all glasses in passport and visa photos unless you provide a signed medical statement. Most other authorities reject any glasses with glare, tint, or frames that cover the eyes — so it’s safest to take them off.
Head coverings: hats and caps are never allowed. Religious or medical head coverings are permitted as long as your full face is visible from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead and both edges of the face.
Requirements by document
The 20 documents Snapassport supports, each mapped to its official size, background, and expression rule. Tap a source to read the authority’s own page.
| Document | Size | Background | Expression | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States Passport | 51×51 mm2.01×2.01 in | White / Off-white | Neutral or a closed-mouth smile | Official ↗ |
| United States Visa (DS-160) | 51×51 mm2.01×2.01 in | White / Off-white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| United Kingdom Passport | 35×45 mm | Light grey / Cream | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| United Kingdom Visa | 35×45 mm | Plain light-coloured (preferably white) | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| Schengen Visa | 35×45 mm | White / Light grey | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| EU Passport (ICAO generic) | 35×45 mm | Plain white or light grey | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| Canada Passport | 50×70 mm | White / Light grey / Cream | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| Canada Visa (Temporary Resident) | 35×45 mm | Plain white or light-coloured | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| Australia Passport | 35×45 mm | White / Light grey | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| India Passport (ICAO) | 35×45 mm | Plain white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| India Visa (e-Visa) | 51×51 mm2.01×2.01 in | Plain light-coloured or white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| India OCI Registration | 51×51 mm2.01×2.01 in | Plain light colour (not pure white) | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| China Passport | 33×48 mm | Plain white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| China Visa (COVA) | 33×48 mm | Plain white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| Japan Passport | 35×45 mm | Plain white or light grey | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| South Korea Passport | 35×45 mm | Plain white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| Brazil Passport | 50×70 mm | Plain white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| Russia Visa | 35×45 mm | Plain light grey or white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| United Arab Emirates Visa | 43×55 mm | Plain white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
| Mexico Passport | 35×45 mm | Plain white | Neutral, mouth closed | Official ↗ |
Rules change. Final acceptance is always determined by the issuing authority — Snapassport validates against the published requirements, it doesn’t adjudicate.
Frequently asked questions
- Can you smile in a passport photo?
- Almost never. The only common exception is the US passport, which explicitly allows a natural, closed-mouth smile ("You can smile… just make sure your eyes are open and your mouth is closed"). The US visa, UK, Canada, Australia and Schengen all require a neutral expression with the mouth closed. No country allows visible teeth or an open mouth for adults.
- Can you show teeth in a US passport photo?
- No. The US allows a smile, but the mouth must stay closed — visible teeth or an open-mouth grin will be rejected. A relaxed, closed-mouth smile is fine.
- Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
- The United States rejects all glasses in passport and visa photos unless you provide a signed medical statement. Most other countries strongly discourage glasses and reject any with glare, tint, or frames that obscure the eyes.
- What background colour does a passport photo need?
- A plain, light, uniform background with no shadows or patterns. The exact colour varies by document (white, off-white, light grey, or cream). Snapassport standardizes the background to the exact compliant colour for your document automatically.
- What size is a passport photo?
- It depends on the country. The US uses 2×2 inches (51×51 mm); the UK, Schengen and Australia use 35×45 mm; Canada uses 50×70 mm. The head must also fill a specific fraction of the frame, which matters as much as the overall size.
Don’t guess — check your photo for free
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