SnapID
    30+ Countries · Updated March 2026

    Passport Photo Requirements by Country

    The complete reference for passport photo sizes, backgrounds, head measurements, and rules across 30+ countries. Based on official government specifications and ICAO biometric standards.

    Based on official government sources Updated March 2026 30+ countries covered

    Key findings

    • 35×45 mm is the most common passport photo size worldwide (used by 70%+ of countries)
    • The United States and a few others use the unique 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square format
    • Canada and Brazil require an uncommon 50×70 mm size
    • Nearly every country now bans glasses in passport photos (post-ICAO 2015 update)
    • White is the most common required background, but the UK requires cream/light grey
    • Head height requirements vary significantly: from 25 mm (India) to 40 mm (Japan upper range)
    • Background color is the #1 rejection reason globally at ~23% of all rejections

    Source: SnapID analysis of official passport photo requirements from 30+ government agencies. Last updated March 2026.

    Requirements by country

    Countries grouped by photo size

    35×45 mm

    27 countries
    🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇪🇺 EU / Schengen🇦🇺 Australia🇮🇳 India🇩🇪 Germany🇫🇷 France🇮🇹 Italy🇪🇸 Spain🇳🇱 Netherlands🇵🇱 Poland🇸🇪 Sweden🇩🇰 Denmark🇳🇴 Norway🇫🇮 Finland🇧🇪 Belgium🇨🇭 Switzerland🇦🇹 Austria🇮🇪 Ireland🇵🇹 Portugal🇨🇿 Czech Republic🇸🇰 Slovakia🇭🇺 Hungary🇷🇴 Romania🇧🇬 Bulgaria🇬🇷 Greece🇲🇽 Mexico🇯🇵 Japan

    50×70 mm

    2 countries
    🇨🇦 Canada🇧🇷 Brazil

    2×2 inches

    1 country
    🇺🇸 United States

    50×60 mm

    1 country
    🇹🇷 Turkey

    Most common passport photo rejection reasons

    Based on aggregated rejection data. These are the top reasons photos are returned by government agencies worldwide.

    23%

    Wrong background color or pattern

    19%

    Shadows on face or background

    16%

    Incorrect photo dimensions

    14%

    Head tilt or off-center framing

    11%

    Eyes closed or not fully visible

    8%

    Wearing glasses (banned since 2016 in US)

    5%

    Facial expression not neutral

    4%

    Photo too old (>6 months)

    SnapID's AI checks all of these automatically — catching issues before you submit. Free compliance check included.

    Passport photo prices by retailer (US)

    Updated March 2026. All prices are for standard 2×2 inch US passport photos.

    Provider
    Price
    Includes
    SnapID (online)Best value
    $4.99
    AI verification, unlimited retakes, guarantee
    Walmart
    $7.44
    2 prints, no AI check
    Costco
    $7.99
    2 prints (discontinued at many locations)
    FedEx Office
    $14.95
    2 prints
    USPS
    $15.00
    2 prints
    Walgreens
    $16.99
    2 prints, no guarantee
    CVS
    $16.99
    2 prints, no guarantee
    AAA
    $15.00
    Members only, 2 prints
    Photo studio
    $15–30
    Varies by studio

    Prices sourced from official retailer websites. Last verified March 2026. Prices may vary by location.

    Check your photo against any country's requirements

    SnapID's AI verifies 20+ official rules for any country — free before you pay. Takes under 3 minutes from your phone.

    Free Compliance Check
    100% money-back guarantee No app needed Under 3 minutes

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the most common passport photo size in the world?
    35×45 mm is used by over 70% of countries including the UK, EU, Australia, India, Japan, and most of Asia and Africa. The US uses a unique 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) square format.
    Why do passport photos get rejected?
    The most common reasons are wrong background color (23%), shadows on face (19%), incorrect dimensions (16%), and head positioning issues (14%). AI verification tools like SnapID check all these rules automatically.
    Are glasses allowed in passport photos?
    Almost no country allows glasses anymore. The US banned them in 2016, and most countries follow ICAO guidelines that prohibit glasses to ensure clear biometric identification.
    What is the cheapest way to get passport photos in the US?
    Online AI tools like SnapID cost $4.99 with verification included. Walmart is the cheapest retailer at $7.44. Walgreens and CVS both charge $16.99.
    Can I take a passport photo with my phone?
    Yes. Modern smartphones exceed the minimum resolution requirements for every country. Tools like SnapID guide positioning and verify compliance with AI before you pay.
    How often do passport photo requirements change?
    Requirements can change at any time. Major recent changes include the US banning glasses (2016) and many countries adopting ICAO biometric standards. This guide is updated regularly to reflect current rules.

    Related resources

    🇺🇸US Passport Photo Guide🇬🇧UK Passport Photo Guide👶Baby Passport Photo Guide📐Passport Photo Size Guide💰Cheapest Passport Photos⚖️SnapID vs Walgreens

    Methodology & sources

    All requirements in this guide are sourced from official government passport agencies and verified against ICAO Document 9303 (Machine Readable Travel Documents) biometric standards. Countries covered include the United States (US Department of State), United Kingdom (HM Passport Office), Canada (IRCC), Australia (DFAT), India (MEA), EU/Schengen member states, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Turkey, and additional European nations. Rejection statistics are based on aggregated anonymized data from passport photo submissions processed by SnapID's AI verification system. Retailer prices are sourced from official websites and verified as of March 2026. This page is updated regularly. If you notice an error, please contact us.