UK Passport & Visa Photo app icon

UK Passport & Visa Photo

Digital photo & passport print support for iPhone

Create passport and visa application photos on your iPhone following GOV.UK photo requirements. Supports UK Passport Digital Photo, UKVI/Visa Digital Photo, and passport print layouts. This app does not issue HMPO photo codes. No server upload, no acceptance guarantee.

Coming soon on the App Store

Key features

FACE POSITION

Face positioning guidance

On-screen face positioning guide aligned with UK passport and UKVI photo composition.

APP TYPES

Three application types

UK Passport Digital, UKVI/Visa Digital, or passport print — each in the required format.

PRINT

Passport print sheets

4×6 inch or L-size print sheets with passport-size photos, ready for photo-lab or convenience-store printing.

ON DEVICE

On-device processing

Import, face detection, adjustments, and export all run on your iPhone — nothing uploaded.

JPEG OUTPUT

JPEG digital output

Export JPEG files that meet GOV.UK digital upload requirements.

PRE-SUBMISSION CHECK

Pre-submission checks

Review face position, head size, background, and glasses before you save.

Pricing

Export plan

Pay only when saving

Preview before purchase

  • Digital JPEG output for UK passport / UKVI
  • Passport print layout sheet
  • Preview before you pay

Photo Guide

Photo checklist

Even a slightly non-compliant photo can be rejected during your application. Check these points before saving.

  • Digital photos must meet GOV.UK minimum requirements. This app exports higher-resolution output. Only the applicant should be in the frame.
  • Use a photo taken within the last month. Face the camera directly with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
  • Use a plain light-coloured background (light grey or cream) with no shadows. Digitally altering the background is not permitted.
  • Both eyes must be open and clearly visible. Do not wear glasses unless you have to; if you must, no tinted lenses, glare, reflections, shadows, or frames covering your eyes.
  • No appearance-altering filters, AI face modification, heavy retouching, mirrored images, or digitally altered backgrounds.

Size and composition

GOV.UK specifies minimum pixel requirements for digital photos. This app exports higher-resolution output. For digital uploads, include your head, shoulders, and upper body — do not crop the photo too tightly yourself.

UKVI visa — digital upload

Minimum pixels 600 × 750 px minimum
Aspect ratio 4:5
Format JPG / JPEG
Max file size within 6 MB
Background Plain light background
Pose Head, shoulders and upper body visible; not mirrored
Recency Newly taken

UK passport — digital photo

Minimum pixels 600 × 750 px minimum
Aspect ratio 4:5
Format JPG / JPEG
Max file size within 10 MB
Background Plain light background
Recency Taken within 1 month

UK passport — printed photo

Size 45 × 35 mm
Face height 29–34 mm
Quantity 2 identical photos required
Background Plain light background

Source: GOV.UK — HM Passport Office Photo Requirements

Examples that are OK

The person faces forward, background is plain and light, and the face is clearly visible with a neutral expression.

Acceptable photo example 1
Forward-facing with a plain light background.
Acceptable photo example 2
Face is clear with no strong shadows.

Common examples that are not OK

These are common reasons a photo may be rejected by HM Passport Office.

Off-centre photo
Face is too far from centre.
Photo with shadow on the background
Background shadows make the outline harder to see.
Side-facing photo
You must face the camera directly.
Tilted head photo
Keep your head straight and level.
Photo with face partially covered
Your full face must be visible.
Photo with glasses frame over eyes
If you must wear glasses, frames must not cover your eyes.
Photo with glare on glasses
Glasses glare, reflections, or shadows can cause rejection. Removing glasses is the safest option.
Photo with hair covering the eyes
Hair must not cover your eyes.
Photo with cloth or shadow on face
The face must be fully visible with no obstructions.
Photo with unnatural expression
Use a natural, neutral expression with your mouth closed.
Photo with background too dark
Background must be plain light grey or cream.
Blurred photo
The photo must be sharp and in focus.
Photo with shadow on the face
Even lighting with no harsh shadows on the face.

About editing

GOV.UK requires photos to be unaltered by computer software. This includes enlarging eyes, smoothing skin excessively, modifying facial features, removing moles or scars, AI-generated changes, appearance-altering filters, or digitally altering the background. The app provides framing, resizing, and export only — no digital background alteration, appearance modifications, or filtered changes for UK outputs.

Official guidance HM Passport Office Photo Requirements

FAQ

What are the digital photo requirements for a UKVI visa?

Official requirements for UKVI digital photos: 600 × 750 px minimum, JPG / JPEG, up to within 6 MB, Plain light background, portrait orientation. Your head, shoulders, and upper body must be visible. App output: 1200 × 1500 px (product specification), up to ≤6 MB.

What are the digital photo requirements for a UK passport application?

Official requirements for UK passport digital photos: 600 × 750 px minimum, JPG / JPEG, up to within 6 MB, Taken within 1 month, Plain light background, portrait orientation. Your head, shoulders, and upper body must be visible. App output: 1200 × 1500 px (product specification), up to ≤6 MB.

What are the printed photo requirements for a UK passport application?

Official requirements for UK passport printed photos: 45 × 35 mm (height × width), face height 29–34 mm (chin to crown), 2 identical photos required, plain light background.

Are there UK application routes where I do not need to prepare a photo file in advance?

Yes. For the following routes, an official photo is captured during your appointment or via an official app, so you do not need to prepare a photo file yourself: UKVCAS (biometrics appointment), VAC (Visa Application Centre), UK Immigration: ID Check app.

Can I use this app for an ETA application photo?

For ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), capture provenance and user-upload eligibility are not yet resolved. We do not guarantee that output from this app can be used for ETA submissions.

What is the difference between UKVI and UK passport digital photos?

The main difference is the file size limit. UKVI visa: up to within 6 MB. UK passport: up to within 10 MB. Both require the same minimum pixels (600 × 750 px minimum), plain light background, and similar composition. App output: 1200 × 1500 px for UKVI / 1200 × 1500 px for passport (both product specifications).

What are the digital photo requirements for a UK passport?

UK passport digital photo requirements vary by application route. Please check the Size and Composition section below for route-specific official requirements.

What are the photo requirements for a UKVI visa application?

UKVI visa photo requirements vary by application route. Please check the Size and Composition section below for route-specific official requirements.

What is the difference between UK passport and UKVI digital photos?

The main differences are the file size limit and recency requirements. See the Size and Composition section below, or the first questions in the FAQ for details.

Can I wear glasses in my UK passport photo?

Do not wear glasses unless you have to. If you must wear them, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses, and your eyes must be clearly visible with no glare, reflections, shadows, or frames covering the eyes. Removing glasses is the safest option.

What background colour is required?

A plain light grey or cream background is required. Photos with patterned, dark, or coloured backgrounds will be rejected. The app provides guidance to help you achieve a compliant background.

What photos are commonly rejected?

Common rejection reasons: wrong dimensions, file too large or too small, face off-centre or wrong size, shadows on face or background, glasses with glare/reflection/shadow/frames covering eyes, hair covering eyes, dark background, blurry image, unnatural expression, head tilted, digital alterations to appearance, or digitally altered backgrounds.

Does this app guarantee my photo will be accepted?

No. This app helps you create a photo file that follows published GOV.UK photo requirements, but final acceptance is determined by the reviewing authority. Requirements may also change, so always check the latest official guidance on GOV.UK.

Is this app affiliated with HM Passport Office or the UK government?

No. This app is a photo file creation tool and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to HM Passport Office, UKVI, the Home Office, or any UK government body.

Does the app provide a photo code for online passport renewal?

No. This app creates digital photo files (JPEG) that you can upload yourself. It does not generate a photo code. To get a photo code, you would need to visit a photo shop that offers the HMPO digital photo code service.

Are my photos uploaded to a server?

No. All photo processing, face detection, and JPEG export happen entirely on your iPhone. Only App Store billing uses the network, and it never includes your photo data.

How do I print the passport photos?

The app generates a print sheet. Save it to your photo library and print at a photo lab or home printer. For paper applications, always check official print requirements.

What about children's passport photos?

Children under 6 must have a photo with a plain light background, facing forward if possible. Children under 1 do not need to have their eyes open. For infants, lay the child on a plain light sheet and photograph from above.

Create your UK passport or visa photo now

Capture and preview for free. Pay only when you save.

Download on the App Store (free)

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