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United Kingdom UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026

The UK government introduced digital photo submission in 2022. Many people take photos at home and struggle with the unusual requirement — the background must be light grey or cream, NOT white. Pure white backgrounds are rejected.

Official Requirements at a Glance

Dimensions

600×750px

Print Size

35×45mm

Max File Size

10MB

Min File Size

50KB

Format

JPG / JPEG

Background

Light grey or cream (not pure white)

Face in Frame

70–80%

⚠️ UK Passport Photo Warning: The background must be light grey or cream — NOT white. This is the most common reason for UK passport photo rejection. Pure white backgrounds are explicitly rejected by HMPO. Also note the 50KB minimum — do not over-compress.

Prepare Your United Kingdom Photo — Free Tool

Drop your photo here

Will be auto-resized to 600×750px and compressed to under 10MB

Choose Photo

Complete United Kingdom UK Passport Photo Requirements

UK passport photos must be between 50KB and 10MB — there is both a minimum AND maximum size. The background must be light grey or cream, not white. This trips up most applicants.

Minimum 600×750 pixels (portrait orientation)
File size: between 50KB and 10MB
Format: JPG or JPEG
Background: plain light grey or cream — NOT white
Face must be 70–80% of the image height
Both eyes open and clearly visible
Neutral expression
No head coverings unless for religious or medical reasons
Glasses: only clear prescription glasses without tint — frames must not obscure eyes
Taken within the last month for children under 16, within 6 months for adults
High quality — no pixelation, blurring, or red-eye

View Official United Kingdom Portal Requirements

Most Common United Kingdom UK Passport Photo Rejection Reasons

✗Pure white background — UK requires light grey or cream specifically

✗Photo under 50KB minimum — over-compressed photos are rejected

✗Head covering not worn for religious or medical reasons

✗Tinted or prescription glasses with thick frames

✗Photo not showing both ears clearly

✗Baby photos where eyes are closed

✗Photo edited to change skin tone or facial features

✗Wearing a uniform that could be mistaken for official dress

Expert Tips for United Kingdom UK Passport Photo

Hang a light grey bedsheet or stand against a light grey wall — pure white is specifically rejected

The minimum 50KB rule means do not over-compress — use our tool which automatically stays above the minimum

Digital Photo Codes from booths are valid for 2 years — if you got one recently, check if it is still within date

For child passports, eyes must be clearly open — this is strictly checked

How to Prepare United Kingdom UK Passport Photo — Step by Step

1
Take or select your photo
Use a recent photo taken within 6 months. Stand against a Light grey or cream (not pure white) background. Make sure your face is clearly visible and well lit.
2
Upload to iFixImg
Click the tool above and upload your photo. iFixImg automatically crops to 600×750 pixels and compresses to under 10MB — the exact United Kingdom requirement.
3
Verify the checklist
Review the verification checklist that appears after processing. Check that file size is within limits and tick the confirmation box.
4
Download and upload
Click Download to save your United Kingdom-ready photo. Go to United Kingdom portal and upload the file. No further editing needed.

Frequently Asked Questions — United Kingdom UK Passport Photo

What are the UK passport photo requirements in 2026?

UK passport photos must be minimum 600×750 pixels, between 50KB and 10MB, in JPG format. The background must be light grey or cream (not white). Your face must be 70–80% of the image height with both eyes clearly visible.

Can I use a white background for a UK passport photo?

No. The UK government specifically requires a light grey or cream background. Pure white backgrounds are rejected. This is different from most other countries and catches many applicants by surprise.

What is the Digital Photo Code for UK passports?

A Digital Photo Code is a unique code issued by passport photo booths in the UK. You can enter this code on the online passport application instead of uploading a photo. The code is valid for 2 years. If you do not have a code, you can upload your own digital photo meeting the specifications above.

What is the minimum file size for a UK passport photo?

The minimum file size is 50KB. Files smaller than 50KB are rejected as too low quality. The maximum is 10MB. iFixImg ensures your compressed photo stays within this 50KB–10MB range automatically.

Can I take my own UK passport photo at home?

Yes. You can take your own photo at home and submit it digitally. It must meet all the specifications — light grey background, correct dimensions, correct file size. Many applicants successfully take their own photos with a smartphone.