Every country has specific requirements for passport and visa photos — exact dimensions, file size, background color, and head position. Getting these wrong delays your application. This guide covers the exact specifications and shows you how to resize your photo perfectly.
Passport Photo Sizes by Country
| Country/Region | Print Size | Pixels (300 DPI) | Max File Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px | 300KB |
| USA | 2 × 2 inches | 600 × 600 px | 240KB |
| UK | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px | 10MB |
| Canada | 5 × 7 cm | 591 × 827 px | 420KB |
| Schengen Visa | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px | 300KB |
| Australia | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px | 250KB |
| Japan | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 413 × 531 px | Varies |
| China | 3.3 × 4.8 cm | 390 × 567 px | 40KB |
How to Resize Your Photo
Step 1: Crop to the Right Aspect Ratio
Use our Image Cropper to crop your photo to the correct aspect ratio. For most countries (India, UK, Schengen), this is 3.5:4.5 (or 7:9). For the USA, it's 1:1 (square).
Step 2: Resize to Exact Pixel Dimensions
Use our Image Resizer to set the exact pixel dimensions required by your country. Enter the width and height from the table above.
Step 3: Compress to Meet File Size Requirements
If your photo exceeds the maximum file size, use our Image Compressor to reduce it. For Indian government forms that require 20KB, use the Compress to 20KB tool.
Photo Composition Rules
Beyond dimensions, passport photos must follow strict composition rules:
- Head position: Face the camera directly, head centered, eyes looking straight ahead
- Expression: Neutral expression, mouth closed
- Background: Plain white or light gray (India, most countries). USA accepts white only.
- Lighting: Even, no shadows on face or background
- Glasses: Most countries now require no glasses in passport photos (including USA since 2016)
- Head covering: Not allowed unless for religious reasons
- Head size: Your head should occupy 70-80% of the frame height
Common Rejection Reasons
- Wrong dimensions: Photo doesn't match required pixel dimensions
- File too large: Exceeds the maximum allowed file size
- Wrong format: Using PNG instead of JPG (most portals require JPG)
- Red eye or glare: Flash reflections in glasses or eyes
- Shadows: Visible shadows on face or background
- Wrong background: Not plain white/light gray
- Face too small or too large: Head not properly proportioned in frame
Indian Specific: Passport, Aadhaar, and Government Form Photos
Different Indian documents have different photo requirements:
| Document | Photo Size | File Size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Passport | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 10KB–300KB | JPG |
| Aadhaar Card | 3.5 × 4.5 cm | 20KB–50KB | JPG |
| UPSC/SSC Forms | Passport size | 20KB–300KB | JPG |
| PAN Card | 3.5 × 2.5 cm | 2KB–20KB | JPG |
| Voter ID | Passport size | 20KB–50KB | JPG |
Related Tools
- Image Resizer — Set exact pixel dimensions
- Image Cropper — Crop to specific aspect ratios
- Image Compressor — Reduce file size for upload requirements
- Compress to 20KB — Specific size target for government forms
- JPG to PNG — Format conversion if needed
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
Yes! Modern smartphones have more than enough camera resolution. Use a plain white wall as background, position the camera at eye level, and ensure even lighting. Then use our tools to resize and compress.
How do I make the background white?
The easiest approach is to take the photo against a white wall. If you have a colored background, you can use our Image Transparentizer to remove it and then add a white background.