General Passport Photo Requirements
General requirements for passport photos. These guidelines apply when country-specific rules are not available. Follow these specifications to ensure your photo meets international standards.
Official Photo Size
The photo must be exactly 2×2. This is a critical requirement—photos that don't match the exact dimensions will be rejected.
| Inches | 2×2 |
| Millimeters | 51×51 |
| Pixels (300 DPI) | 600×600 px |
Tip
Background & Lighting
Background: Plain white or light-colored. The background must be uniform with no shadows, patterns, or other people visible.
- No shadows on the background or your face
- No patterns, textures, or decorations
- No other people or objects visible
- Uniform color throughout
- Even lighting with no harsh shadows
Face & Head Size Rules
Head size: 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) from chin to top of head. Your face must be positioned correctly in the frame.
- Face the camera directly (no tilting)
- Expression: Neutral expression (no smiling)
- Eyes open and clearly visible
- Head centered in the frame
- Shoulders visible in the photo
What You Can Wear (Glasses, Head Coverings)
Understanding what accessories and clothing are allowed:
- Glasses: Generally allowed if no glare
- Clothing: Regular clothing
- Head coverings are only allowed for religious purposes
- Head coverings must not cast shadows on your face
- Your face must be fully visible from bottom of chin to top of forehead
Photo Quality Requirements
High quality, sharp focus, 300 DPI
- Sharp focus with no blur
- High resolution (minimum 300 DPI for printing)
- No filters or digital alterations
- Color photo (no black and white)
- Recent photo (taken within last 6 months)
Common Rejection Reasons
Photos that don't meet these requirements will be rejected, delaying your application. Common issues specific to General general applications:
- Wrong photo size (not 2×2)
- Incorrect background (not plain white or light-colored)
- Wrong head size (not 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) from chin to top of head)
- Poor photo quality (blurry or pixelated)
- Wrong expression (Neutral expression (no smiling))
- Shadows on face or background
- Photo too old (taken more than 6 months ago)
- Digital alterations or filters
- Wrong size
- Incorrect background
- Poor photo quality
- Wrong expression
Local Notes for General
- These are general guidelines when country-specific rules are not available
- Always check official requirements for your specific country
- When in doubt, use white background and neutral expression
Printing Tips for General
- Print at 300 DPI for professional quality
- Use photo paper, not regular printer paper
- Verify all requirements are met before printing
Create a General Passport Photo Online
Use our tool to create a compliant general photo. We'll automatically:
- Crop to exactly 2×2
- Fix background to plain white or light-colored
- Ensure proper head size (1 to 1 3/8 inches (25-35mm) from chin to top of head)
- Align face correctly
- Export at 300 DPI for print quality
Create Your Passport Photo
Upload your photo and we'll make it compliant with General requirements
General Passport Photo Requirements FAQs
What are general passport photo requirements?
General requirements include 2×2 inch size, white background, neutral expression, and proper head size. However, always check your specific country's requirements.
Can I use general requirements for any country?
While many countries use similar requirements, some have specific rules (like Canada's rectangular format or Schengen's colored background). Always verify country-specific requirements.