ICAO 9303 & Consular Standards

Official Passport & Visa Photo Requirements

Consular guidelines, millimeter dimensions, background color rules, and biometric tolerances to guarantee 100% acceptance for government submissions.

Universal Biometric Rules (ICAO Doc 9303)

All electronic passports (e-Passports) read by optical border control gates adhere to these fundamental biometric specifications:

Facial Proportions

Your head (measured from the base of your chin to the top of your head/hair) must occupy between 50% and 69% of the total image height for US photos, and 70% to 80% for UK/EU photos.

Background Consistency

Backgrounds must be plain, uniform, and completely shadow-free. White is mandatory for the US, Canada, and India. Light grey or cream is required for the UK and Schengen states.

Resolution & DPI

Printed photos must be rendered at a minimum of 300 DPI (dots per inch) on photographic quality paper. Digital online portal uploads must be uncompressed JPG or PNG files without pixelation.

Attire & Dress Code

  • Dark everyday clothes: Wear collared shirts, dark tops, or executive suits that contrast with the background.
  • No white clothing: White shirts blend into white backdrops, making shoulders invisible and triggering rejections.
  • No uniforms or camouflage: Military, commercial airline, police, or athletic uniforms are strictly prohibited.
  • Religious headwear: Allowed with a signed statement, provided full face (hairline to chin, ear to ear) remains unobstructed.

Eyeglasses & Facial Features

  • US & Australian Ban: Eyeglasses are strictly forbidden on US and Australian passports since 2016/2018 (medical waivers require physician notes).
  • No tinted lenses: Sunglasses, reading glasses with glare, or colored contacts are universally disallowed.
  • Hair styling: Push long hair behind shoulders and tuck bangs to keep eyes, cheekbones, and eyebrows completely visible.
  • Natural appearance: No heavy beauty filters, altered skin tones, or AI face modifications that distort biometric markers.
Consular Dimension Database

Country-Specific Passport Requirements

Click any country to launch the AI generator pre-configured with that nation’s exact legal dimensions:

CountryStandard SizeHead RatioBackgroundEyeglassesAction
United States
Passport, Visa, Green Card
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm)1.0 – 1.375 in (50–69%)Solid Plain WhiteStrictly ProhibitedFormat
United Kingdom
HMPO Passport, Visa
35 × 45 mm29 – 34 mm (64–75%)Light Grey or Plain CreamAllowed without glare (disrecommended)Format
Canada
Passport, PR Card, Visa
50 × 70 mm (2 × 2.75 in)31 – 36 mm (44–51%)Pure White or Light ColourAllowed without glare or tinted lensesFormat
Australia
Passport, Citizen Photo
35 × 45 mm32 – 36 mm (71–80%)White or Light GreyProhibited since 2018Format
Schengen (EU)
France, Germany, Italy, Spain
35 × 45 mm32 – 36 mm (70–80%)Neutral Light GreyFrames must not cover eyesFormat
India & OCI
Passport, OCI, Indian Visa
51 × 51 mm (2 × 2 in) / 35 × 45 mm35 – 40 mm (70–80%)Plain Solid WhiteProhibited on Indian passportsFormat
Pakistan
NADRA, Machine Readable Passport
35 × 45 mm / 51 × 51 mm70% – 80% of photoWhite or Light Blue (NADRA CNIC)ProhibitedFormat
China
Consular Visa, Passport
33 × 48 mm28 – 33 mmPure White or Light BlueProhibitedFormat
Germany
Reisepass, Personalausweis
35 × 45 mm32 – 36 mm (Biometrisch)Neutral Light GreyAllowed without reflectionsFormat
Spain
DNI, Pasaporte Español
26 × 32 mm / 30 × 40 mm70% of frameUniform Plain WhiteProhibited for DNIFormat

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