GOV.UK-based photo guidance

UK visa photo guides

Start from the UKVI digital photo rules, then separate online upload, 45 × 35 mm print photos, smartphone capture, glasses, background, and passport-photo differences.

✓ Checked against official sources Last checked: August 20, 2026

Requirement snapshot

The safest starting point for a UK visa or permission photo is the UKVI digital-photo guidance. Printed passport photos use a different submission pattern, so treat them separately.

Visa or permission digital photo: at least 600 × 750 px, JPG/JPEG, up to 6 MB, portrait orientation, not mirrored.
Digital photos should include head, shoulders, and upper body; avoid tight cropping before upload.
Printed passport-style photos are 45 × 35 mm, with head height about 29 to 34 mm.
Plain light background, clear face, neutral expression, no software alteration, and no acceptance guarantee.

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All UK visa photo guides

Laptop and phone showing a UK visa-style digital photo upload preview

Digital photo upload Prepare a UKVI digital photo upload: JPG/JPEG, 600 × 750 px minimum, up to 6 MB, portrait orientation, and no mirroring.

Printed 45 × 35 mm identity photo sheet with ruler and scissors

Printed 45 × 35 mm photo Understand UK 45 × 35 mm printed photo requirements, head size, paper quality, and when prints differ from digital UKVI uploads.

Applicant standing before a plain wall while a phone on a tripod frames the photo

Take a photo with a smartphone How to take a UK visa photo with a phone: distance, background, lighting, framing, mirroring, and export checks before upload.

Plain light-coloured wall, chair, and phone tripod prepared for visa photo lighting

Background and lighting Choose a UK visa photo background and lighting setup that avoids shadows, patterns, digital replacement, and poor contrast.

Glasses and head covering placed near a visa-style portrait photo

Glasses, hair, and head covering Rules and practical advice for glasses, hair over the eyes, head coverings, glare, tinted lenses, and face visibility.

Several identity photo prints being checked for common UK visa photo mistakes

Common UK visa photo mistakes Avoid UK visa photo mistakes: mirroring, tight crop, wrong file size, glasses glare, software background changes, shadows, and old photos.

Digital and printed identity photos compared for UK passport and visa use

Passport photo vs visa photo Compare UK passport photos and UK visa photos: digital file limits, 45 × 35 mm prints, upload framing, photo code, and UKVI routes.

Official sources

GOV.UK - How to take a photo for a visa application or permission Checked: September 22, 2026
GOV.UK - Digital passport photo requirements Checked: July 1, 2026
GOV.UK - Printed passport photo requirements Checked: July 1, 2026
GOV.UK - Using the UK Immigration: ID Check app Checked: July 1, 2026

FAQ

Are UK visa photos and UK passport photos the same?

They overlap, but they are not always the same workflow. UKVI digital visa photos use a 6 MB file limit, while digital passport photos use a 10 MB file limit and printed passport photos use 45 × 35 mm physical prints.

Should I prepare a digital upload or printed photo?

Follow the instruction shown in your actual application. Many UK visa and permission routes ask for a digital photo, while some paper or appointment workflows may ask for printed passport-style photos.

Create your UK passport or visa photo now

Create a UKVI-style digital JPEG or 45 × 35 mm print layout, then confirm the latest GOV.UK instructions for your actual application route.

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