The digital photo rules at a glance
| Rule | UK passport (online) | UK visa (UKVI) |
|---|---|---|
| Pixels | At least 600 wide × 750 tall | At least 600 wide × 750 tall |
| File size | 50 KB to 10 MB | 50 KB to 6 MB |
| Format | Not stated | JPG or JPEG |
| Framing | Head, shoulders and upper body; don't crop it yourself | Head, shoulders and upper body; upright, not mirrored |
| Background | Plain, light-coloured, clear contrast with you | Plain, light-coloured, clear contrast with you |
| Age of photo | Taken in the last month | Not stated |
Sources: GOV.UK "Photos for passports" and "How to take a photo for a visa application", read 26 October 2026.
How to check and fit your photo with the tool above
- Take the photo against a plain, light-coloured wall, facing the light, with your head, shoulders and upper body in the frame.
- Tap Choose image and pick it.
- On Form presets, UK passport photo (online application) is selected; for a visa, tap UK visa photo (UKVI) instead.
- Tap Apply preset. The tool keeps your framing (GOV.UK says: "Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you"), saves a JPG and keeps the file between 50 KB and the limit. If the photo is under 600×750 pixels, it tells you to use a larger original.
- Tap Download result and upload that file.
Most phone photos are already within these limits; the tool mainly helps when a photo is too large (over 10 MB for a passport, 6 MB for a visa) or in the wrong format, such as an iPhone HEIC. A JPG that's already within the limits is kept at about its original size.
Photo rules from GOV.UK
- The photo must be "clear and in focus", "in colour" and "unaltered by computer software", with no red eye.
- Glasses: "Do not wear glasses … unless you have to", and they "cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses".
- Head coverings are not allowed "unless it's for religious or medical reasons".
- For a visa, the photo "can be from a phone or tablet", but it must not be a scan or a photo of another photo, the same photo as in your passport or ID, or a photo of your ID document, and it must not use filters.
GOV.UK doesn't state a head-size percentage for these digital photos. Printed passport photos have their own rules, not covered here. More documents: photo requirements by country.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a UK passport photo for the online application?
At least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, and between 50 KB and 10 MB, according to GOV.UK.
What size is a UK visa photo?
At least 600×750 pixels, a JPG or JPEG file between 50 KB and 6 MB, upright and not mirrored.
Should I crop my UK passport photo?
No. GOV.UK says to include your head, shoulders and upper body and not to crop it: "it will be done for you". The UK presets don't crop.
Can I take a UK passport photo on my phone?
GOV.UK's online application accepts photos taken on your own device if they follow the rules: plain light background, in focus, in colour, unaltered.
How old can the photo be?
For a passport, it must be taken in the last month. The visa guidance doesn't state an age.
Can I wear glasses?
Only if you have to, and never sunglasses or tinted glasses.
My photo is a HEIC from an iPhone. Is that OK?
The visa guidance asks for a JPG or JPEG. The tool converts HEIC to a real JPG.
My photo is 12 MB. What do I do?
Apply the UK passport preset: it re-saves the photo under 10 MB without cropping it.
Does the tool check the background or my expression?
No. It handles the file rules (size, format, minimum pixels). The photo itself has to follow the rules above.
Is my photo uploaded to PixKB?
No. Everything runs in your browser on your device.