Reviewed against current MOFA and Japanese mission guidance on 16 July 2026
Japan visa photo requirements35 x 45 or 45 x 45 mm?
There is no honest one-size answer. Current Japanese missions often request a 35 x 45 mm portrait, while the central MOFA visa application form still shows 45 x 45 mm or 2 x 2 inches. Your responsible mission, checklist, and active form control the requirement.
Route-specific answer
Which Japan visa photo size applies?
Use 35 mm wide x 45 mm high
Several current Japanese embassy and consulate checklists use this portrait size. Follow the checklist for the mission that will receive your application.
- Recent photo taken within 6 months
- Front-facing and bareheaded
- Plain background; follow the mission color wording
PassPhoto does not convert or edit Japan visa photos because the controlling size and upload rules depend on the route you select.
Current mission checklists
35 x 45 mm
Common current portrait instruction, but not universal.
Central MOFA form
45 x 45 mm / 2 x 2 in
Use when supplied for your application route.
JAPAN eVISA upload
Portal-specific
No universal public pixel or file-size limit.
Why official routes show different sizes
Japan's central application form shows a square photo, while current mission pages in Jamaica and Saudi Arabia request 35 x 45 mm. Use the requirement published by the Japanese authority responsible for your application route.
Shared official guidance
Rules that still need a route check
These are the recurring requirements in current forms and mission pages. Where wording differs, use the stricter instruction shown for your application.
Recency
Within 6 months
Use a recent colour photo that reflects your current appearance.
Pose
Front-facing
Face the camera directly and keep your full face clearly visible.
Head covering
Bareheaded
Follow any exception stated by the mission handling your application.
Background
Plain
Mission wording varies between plain, white, and light backgrounds.
Pixels
Route-specific
MOFA does not publish one pixel minimum for every visa and eVISA route.
File size
Route-specific
Use the active portal or responsible mission limit, not a generic value.
JAPAN eVISA scope
An online visa route, not a universal photo standard
Current MOFA guidance limits JAPAN eVISA to eligible ordinary-passport holders seeking a single-entry short-term tourism visa for up to 90 days. Applications for work, study, business beyond that scope, family stays, or long-term residence use another route.
Product boundary
Background preparation with a route check
The reviewed official sources require a plain, white, or light background but do not publish a ban on background replacement. PassPhoto can isolate the applicant and prepare the common 35 x 45 mm crop without changing the face, hair, expression, clothing, or identity. Confirm your route before printing or uploading the file.
Prepare the background and cropJapan visa photo FAQs
Is a Japan visa photo 35 x 45 mm or 45 x 45 mm?
Both values appear in current official material. The central MOFA visa application form shows 45 x 45 mm or 2 x 2 inches, while several current Japanese embassy checklists request a 35 mm wide by 45 mm high photo. Follow the responsible mission and the exact checklist or form for your application.
Why do Japan visa photo requirements conflict?
Japan visa documents are administered through different overseas establishments and application routes. The central form and current mission checklists are not fully uniform, so a single worldwide size claim would be misleading.
What is the Japan eVISA photo size in pixels?
MOFA does not publish one public pixel dimension or file-size limit that applies to every eVISA location. Follow the current upload instructions in the official JAPAN eVISA system and any instruction from the overseas establishment responsible for your place of residence.
Who can use JAPAN eVISA?
The current MOFA service is for eligible ordinary-passport holders applying for a single-entry short-term tourism visa of up to 90 days. Other purposes, long stays, and ineligible locations use the responsible embassy or consulate route.
What background does a Japan visa photo need?
Use a plain background and follow the wording in your mission checklist. Current official pages are not fully uniform: some say plain, while others specify a light or white background. Do not assume that one background statement covers every route.
How recent must a Japan visa photo be?
Current official forms and mission guidance generally require a photo taken within the previous six months.
Can PassPhoto replace the background of a Japan visa photo?
The reviewed MOFA form and Japanese mission pages require a plain, white, or light background but do not publish a ban on background replacement. PassPhoto can replace only the background and prepare the common 35 x 45 mm crop. Confirm the size and background shown by your responsible mission or eVISA portal before using the file.
Can PassPhoto guarantee Japan visa photo acceptance?
No. The responsible Japanese embassy, consulate, eVISA system, or application centre makes the decision. PassPhoto prepares the background and crop but does not print, submit, or guarantee Japan visa photos.