This page is for foreign nationals applying for a UK visa — including the Standard Visitor, Student, Skilled Worker, Transit, and Family routes. UK visa photo rules are set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), part of the Home Office, with applications processed at VFS Global and TLScontact visa application centres worldwide. The official digital photo guidance was updated in February 2026. Printed photos follow the same 35×45mm biometric standard used for UK passports, though digital upload is now the default for most routes. One important nuance: visa application photo checks are conducted at biometric appointment centres, and rejection there causes more disruption — and higher cost — than a delayed passport renewal. Compliance matters more, not less.
The core biometric photo specification is identical across all UK visa categories — UKVI does not publish a separate size standard for tourist vs. student vs. work visa photos. The practical difference lies in how your photo is submitted, which depends on your application route. Use the table below to confirm what applies to you.
| Visa Type | Photo Spec | Submission Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Visitor | Standard UKVI | Online portal (digital JPEG) | Most common route; digital photo uploaded at application stage |
| Student (formerly Tier 4) | Standard UKVI | Online portal (digital JPEG) | Biometric appointment at VFS centre required |
| Skilled Worker (formerly Tier 2) | Standard UKVI | Online portal (digital JPEG) | Sponsor letter required; photo spec unchanged |
| Family / Settlement | Standard UKVI | Online portal (digital JPEG) | Longer processing times make early photo compliance critical |
| Transit (Direct Airside / Short Stay) | Standard UKVI | Online portal (digital JPEG) | Transit visa — same spec, shorter stay |
| eVisa (digital immigration status) | Standard UKVI | Digital only — no physical vignette | eVisa changes how your status is held, not the photo spec used during application |
| Children under 5 | On-site photo | Taken at visa application centre | Per gov.uk guidance, under-5s attend the centre; photo taken on-site |
Specifications below reflect UKVI's official digital photo guidance published 12 February 2026 (gov.uk) and the standard UKVI biometric print spec. Where a value could not be confirmed directly from gov.uk, this is noted explicitly. Always verify against the specific application form page before submitting.
| Requirement | Print Submission | Digital / Online Portal | Source Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photo dimensions | 45mm high × 35mm wide | Min. 600px wide × 750px tall | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Head height (chin to crown) | 29mm – 34mm | Proportionally equivalent | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Background | Plain cream or light grey | Plain light-coloured (no pattern) | ⚠ Gov.uk uses "plain light-coloured"; cream/grey widely reported |
| File format | Colour print, glossy or matte | JPEG / JPG only | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| File size | N/A (physical print) | 50KB – 6MB | ✓ Official (gov.uk, Feb 2026) |
| Colour | Full colour, no filters | Full colour, no filters | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral, mouth closed | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Eyes | Open, clearly visible, no red-eye | Open, clearly visible, no red-eye | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Glasses | Avoid; if required: non-tinted, no glare | Avoid; if required: non-tinted, no glare | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Head coverings | Not permitted (religious/medical exception) | Not permitted (religious/medical exception) | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Shadows | None on face or behind subject | None on face or behind subject | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Orientation | Portrait | Vertically orientated, not mirrored | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Photo age | Recent likeness | Recent likeness | ⚠ Gov.uk says "recent" — 6 months is the widely followed convention |
| Number required | 2 identical photos (paper route) | 1 digital file (online route) | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Digital manipulation | Not permitted | Not permitted (no filters, no retouching) | ✓ Official (gov.uk) |
| Specs differ by visa type? | No — UKVI uses one biometric photo standard across all visa categories | ✓ Confirmed via official UKVI guidance | |
UK visa photo requirements are set by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), an operational body within the Home Office. UKVI publishes the photo guidance that all applicants must follow, regardless of which country they apply from.
In most countries outside the UK, visa applications are processed by one of two authorised commercial partners: VFS Global and TLScontact. These centres handle the biometric enrolment appointment — fingerprints and a facial scan — and physically check the photo you have submitted before forwarding the application to UKVI for a decision. Photo rejection at a VFS or TLScontact centre means your appointment may not be completed, which delays your application and can incur rebooking fees.
Your digital photo is used for identity verification, linked to your biometric record, and — if your visa is granted as a physical vignette — printed onto the document. Since the UK moved to eVisas for most routes, the vignette sticker is being phased out, but your photo still forms part of the biometric record held in UKVI systems and shared with Border Force for arrival checks.
For most UK visa routes, the photo is submitted digitally through the online application form on gov.uk. The UKVI portal runs automated biometric quality checks the moment you upload. If your photo fails, the form will prompt you to upload a replacement before you can proceed.
Passport Photo Maker exports a JPEG file sized to UKVI's digital specifications — 600×750px or larger — with a compliant background and biometric crop, so the portal's automated check is satisfied before you submit.
Yes — UKVI explicitly states the photo can be taken on a phone or tablet. Taking a good home photo is achievable, but the margin for error is smaller than it is for a passport renewal. The biometric centre will check your photo at the appointment, not just the portal.
Most UK visa applications are now digital-only. If your specific route still accepts or requires printed photos (some paper-form or postal routes): print two identical copies at 45×35mm (height × width) on glossy or matte photographic paper, do not staple or crease them, and write your full name lightly on the back if the application instructions ask for it.
Upload the image into Passport Photo Maker. The tool will resize it to the correct dimensions, remove or replace the background, centre the face biometrically, and export a portal-ready JPEG at 600×750px or above within UKVI's 50KB–6MB file size range. Download the digital file for online submission, or the print sheet for any centres that still accept printed photos.
Unlike a passport renewal where a rejected photo results in a resubmission letter and a few days' delay, a photo rejected at a VFS or TLScontact biometric appointment may mean you cannot complete the appointment that day. That can mean rebooking fees, travel costs to a distant centre, and a delay to your visa decision. The stakes are higher.
Children applying for a UK visa follow slightly different rules depending on age.
When preparing a child's photo, use the same upload and crop workflow in Passport Photo Maker. The head-size check adapts to the smaller face proportions typical of infants and young children.
This is one of the most common points of confusion. Here is the practical breakdown:
| Requirement | UK Visa Photo | UK Passport Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Print dimensions | 45mm × 35mm (h × w) | 45mm × 35mm (h × w) |
| Head height (print) | 29mm – 34mm | 29mm – 34mm |
| Background | Plain light-coloured (cream/light grey) | Plain cream or light grey |
| Digital file format | JPEG / JPG | JPEG / JPG |
| Digital file size | 50KB – 6MB (UKVI portal) | Not specified as a single range — varies by passport application route |
| Digital min. resolution | 600 × 750px (UKVI, Feb 2026) | 413 × 531px at 300 DPI is commonly cited for passports; different portal |
| Issuing authority | UKVI (Home Office) | His Majesty's Passport Office (HMPO) |
| Submission method | UKVI online portal or VFS/TLScontact centre | Passport application portal or Post Office |
| Photo recency | Recent likeness (no specific limit in official guidance) | Taken in the last month (online passport) |
| Number of prints | 2 (if paper route applies) | 2 (paper form only) |
| Consequence of rejection | Higher — appointment may not be completed; rebooking required | Lower — letter issued requesting new photo |
Upload once — get a UKVI-compliant JPEG ready for the online portal and a print-ready sheet for any centre that still accepts physical photos. Automatic background removal, biometric crop, and file-size validation included.
Photo requirements are set by UKVI and may change without notice. Always verify on gov.uk before submitting. Passport Photo Maker does not guarantee visa approval; final decisions rest with UKVI.
