Visa application centre
Most overseas applicants attend a centre to provide fingerprints and have their photograph taken there.
Based on UKVI guidance published 12 February 2026
UK visa photo requirementsat least 600 × 750 JPEG
A digital photo for a UK visa application or permission must be a vertically oriented JPG or JPEG, at least 600 × 750 pixels, between 50 KB and 6 MB, and unaltered by software.
Free and private. The checker reads file properties locally; the separate maker can prepare a background and crop with a UKVI note.
Free technical file check
Check a UK visa digital photo file
Stays on your device
Choose the original photo file
We inspect the original photo locally. It is not uploaded, cropped, compressed, retouched, mirrored, flipped, or stored.
Official range: at least 600 × 750 px, JPEG, portrait, 50 KB–6 MB
Minimum dimensions
600 × 750 pixels
A larger portrait image is allowed.
Digital file
JPG or JPEG
Vertically oriented, not mirrored or flipped.
File size
50 KB–6 MB
Both the lower and upper limits apply.
Do not use software to fix a UK visa photo
UKVI says the image must not be altered by computer software or other means. Do not replace the background, retouch the face, apply filters, mirror or flip the image, or photograph an existing print. Correct the setup and take a new original photo instead. PassPhoto still makes the background tool available, but it displays this note first because UKVI may reject an edited file.
Technical checklist
UK visa digital photo size and format
These are the published UKVI requirements for a digital photo used in a visa application or application for permission. Your specific application instructions remain authoritative.
Minimum pixels
600 × 750 px
At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall
File size
50 KB–6 MB
Both the minimum and maximum limits apply
File type
JPG or JPEG
Other image formats are outside the published digital rule
Orientation
Vertical portrait
The image must not be mirrored or flipped
Image treatment
Original and unaltered
No software changes, effects, filters, or AI edits
Framing
Head, shoulders, upper body
Face forward with appropriate clothing on shoulders and torso
Printing and submission are your responsibility
PassPhoto does not print or submit photos. Follow the photo or identity-capture step shown in your GOV.UK application and arrange a physical print only when that route specifically asks for one.
The file must show
One person, clearly framed
- Your head, shoulders, and upper body
- A plain light-coloured background with clear contrast
- A forward-facing pose and clearly visible facial features
- Open eyes, a plain expression, and a closed mouth
- Appropriate clothing covering the shoulders and torso
The file must not show or use
No reuse, scans, shadows, or edits
- Another person, object, red eye, or background shadow
- The same photo used in your passport or identity card
- A scan or photograph of an existing printed photo
- A photo of your passport, identity card, or other document
- Software alterations, filters, mirroring, or flipping
Check your application route first
You may not need to prepare or upload a photo file
UKVI decides how each applicant provides a facial image. Follow the instruction shown inside your application rather than buying prints or preparing a JPEG before you know which route applies.
UK Immigration: ID Check app
Eligible applicants are told to use the app and usually do not attend an in-person appointment.
Online facial-image route
Some biometric-reuse or online-status flows request a new live image in an app or online form. Use the exact prompt shown.
Take a stronger original
Fix the camera setup, not the pixels
GOV.UK recommends arranging for another person to take the photo. A rear camera, eye-level framing, balanced room light, and a real plain background usually give a better original than a close phone selfie.
Open the official UKVI photo page- 1
Use a well-lit room
Keep light balanced with no shadows on the face or behind you.
- 2
Ask another person
This reduces close-up distortion and makes framing easier.
- 3
Face straight ahead
Keep eyes visible and hair away from your eyes.
- 4
Use a real light background
No pattern, texture, other people, or objects.
- 5
Remove glasses when possible
Necessary glasses must not cover the eyes or cause glare.
- 6
Keep the original file
Do not filter, mirror, flip, retouch, or reuse an ID photo.
Straight answers
UK visa photo FAQs
What size should a UK visa photo be in pixels?
UK Visas and Immigration says a digital visa or permission photo must be at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall. The file must be a vertically oriented JPG or JPEG between 50 KB and 6 MB.
Is a UK visa photo 35 x 45 mm?
The current GOV.UK guidance published in February 2026 specifies a digital photo rather than a universal 35 x 45 mm print. It requires at least 600 x 750 pixels, JPG or JPEG format, and a 50 KB to 6 MB file. Follow any route-specific or appointment instructions if they separately ask for a printed photo.
Can I edit or replace the background of a UK visa photo?
No. The official guidance says the photo must not be altered by computer software or other means, including adding a filter. Retake the photo against a real plain, light-coloured background instead of digitally replacing it.
Can I use the same photo that is in my passport?
No. The GOV.UK visa photo guidance says the digital photo must not be the same photo used in your passport or identity card. It also must not be a scan or a photo of another photo or identity document.
Can I take the UK visa photo with a phone?
Yes. GOV.UK says the photo can be taken with a phone or tablet. Ask another person to take it when possible, use balanced light and a plain light-coloured background, and keep the original image unedited.
Do all UK visa applicants upload a prepared JPEG?
No. Your application tells you how to provide biometrics. Many applicants attend a visa application centre where fingerprints and a photograph are taken. Eligible applicants may instead use the UK Immigration: ID Check app, while some biometric-reuse routes can request a new live facial image through an app or online form.
Does PassPhoto print or submit a UK visa photo?
No. PassPhoto only explains the rules and checks selected file properties in your browser. If your own application asks for a file or print, you arrange it and submit it through the official UKVI route yourself.
Can I wear glasses in a UK visa photo?
Do not wear glasses unless you have to. Necessary glasses cannot be sunglasses or tinted, and your eyes must not be covered by the frames, glare, reflections, or shadows.
Does this file checker guarantee UKVI acceptance?
No. The checker reads pixel dimensions, portrait orientation, file type, and file size locally. It cannot judge focus, lighting, expression, background, likeness, mirroring, editing history, or route-specific instructions. UK Visas and Immigration makes the final decision.
Primary source
Verify against GOV.UK
The official UKVI guidance was published on 12 February 2026 and reviewed here on 16 July 2026. Follow the instructions inside your own application if they ask for a photo in a different step or collect one during identity checks.
Have an original phone or tablet photo?
Check the technical file limits locally
Nothing is uploaded and nothing is changed.