UK passport photo rejected online? The GOV.UK rules and how to fix it
Updated 7 November 2026
A UK online passport photo has to be at least 600 x 750 pixels and 50 KB to 10 MB, in colour and in focus, unaltered, on a plain light-coloured background, with no shadows, your eyes open and your mouth closed. GOV.UK says your application will be delayed if the photo doesn’t meet the rules, so it’s worth checking each one before you submit.
The GOV.UK rules for digital photos
| Rule | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Size | At least 600 px wide and 750 px tall |
| File size | 50 KB to 10 MB |
| Quality | Clear, in focus, in colour, no red eye |
| Editing | Unaltered by computer software |
| Background | Plain and light-coloured, in clear contrast to you |
| Shadows | None on your face or behind you |
| Pose | Facing forwards, looking straight at the camera |
| Expression | Plain, mouth closed, eyes open and visible |
| Hair | Not in front of your eyes |
| Glasses | Only if you have to; no sunglasses or tinted lenses, and no glare or frames over your eyes |
| Head coverings | Only for religious or medical reasons |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last month |
| Framing on your own device | Head, shoulders and upper body. Don’t crop it |
Common problems and the fix for each
You took it alone. Selfies at arm’s length distort the face and rarely show the upper body. GOV.UK says you need someone to help you. Fix: ask someone to take it, at eye level.
You cropped it. The rule for own-device photos is to show your head, shoulders and upper body, and not to crop. Fix: use the original, or take a new one with more space around you.
Smiling. A smile with your teeth showing breaks the plain expression and closed mouth rules. Fix: relax your face and close your mouth.
Shadows. Light from one side or above shades your face, and standing against the wall throws a shadow behind you. Fix: see shadows on a passport photo.
Background. Patterned walls, doors, or a background too close to your clothes or hair colour all count against you. Fix: see background colours.
Glasses. Glare and frames over the eyes are common problems. Fix: take them off unless you have to wear them. See glasses and glare.
File too small or too large. Messaging apps shrink photos, and that can take them under 50 KB. Fix: use the original file. See file size limits.
Edited photos. Filters, beauty modes and background removal all count as altering the photo. Fix: turn them off and retake it.
An old photo. It must have been taken in the last month. Fix: take a new one.
Your two options
Booth or shop. Ask for a photo code, then enter it in your application and the photo is added for you. GOV.UK says these are more likely to be approved than photos from your own device.
Your own device. Someone helps you take the photo during your application. You can test it first with the free photo checker, which looks at file size, pixel size, head position, eyes, mouth, lighting and background.
The UK online passport photo tool can prepare a file at the right size. Because GOV.UK says not to crop, use it only to get a file that meets the limits, with your head, shoulders and upper body showing. VisaPhotos doesn’t retouch your face or change your background.
Applying on paper instead? Printed photos have different rules, including a cream or light grey background; see the UK passport photo page.
Acceptance is decided by HM Passport Office.
Common questions
What size is a UK online passport photo?
At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, and between 50 KB and 10 MB.
Should I crop my UK passport photo before uploading it?
No. If you take it on your own device, show your head, shoulders and upper body. GOV.UK says not to crop it, because that is done for you.
Can I take my UK passport photo myself?
You can use your own device, but GOV.UK says you need someone to help you take it. It also says photos from a booth or shop are more likely to be approved.
How recent does the photo have to be?
It must have been taken in the last month, and you need a new photo for each new passport, even if you look the same.
What happens if my photo doesn't meet the rules?
GOV.UK says your application will be delayed.