- UK visa photographs must be 45mm x 35mm, in colour, on a plain white or off-white background.
- The photograph must have been taken within the last 6 months.
- Glasses are no longer permitted in UK visa photographs as of 2018.
- Head coverings are only permitted for religious reasons, and a signed declaration confirming this is required.
- Photos printed at home on plain paper are rejected; only photographic paper printed at a professional booth or studio is accepted.
Last reviewed: 13 May 2026
A non-compliant photograph is one of the most common and avoidable reasons a UK visa application is delayed or rejected at the Visa Application Centre (VAC). The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) photo specification exists to ensure facial recognition systems can accurately match the photograph to the applicant, and to maintain consistency in the immigration database.
Why Photo Specifications Matter
The specifications below are the current UKVI requirements as of May 2026. They apply to photographs submitted in person at a VAC and, where required, submitted as part of the online application. Some VACs now take the official photograph digitally at the biometric appointment, reducing reliance on printed submissions. However, many still require two printed photographs to be brought to the appointment. The appointment confirmation letter specifies whether photographs are needed.
Exact Size and Format Requirements
Size: 45mm high x 35mm wide. Colour: yes, colour photographs only. Background: plain white or cream/off-white. Finish: printed on photographic paper (glossy or matt). Recency: taken within the last 6 months. Number of copies: usually 2 identical photographs. The 45mm x 35mm size is the standard UK passport photograph size. Photographs taken at a photo booth in a UK post office, supermarket, or chemist will typically meet this specification. Many countries also have photo booths calibrated to UK specifications.
Head and Face Requirements
Face positioning: the full face must be visible from crown to chin with nothing obscuring it; the face must be centred in the photograph; the head must be straight, not tilted to either side or forward/backward; the face and shoulders should fill approximately 70 to 80 percent of the frame; eyes must be at the mid-point of the photograph, looking directly at the camera.
Expression: neutral expression with the mouth closed; eyes open, fully visible, and not squinting; no smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows. Hair: hair must not obscure the face, eyes, or forehead; hair tied back or pinned away from the face if it covers facial features in its natural state.
Glasses: No Longer Permitted
Since October 2018, glasses are not permitted in UK visa photographs. This rule aligns with UK passport photo requirements and is driven by facial recognition technology requirements. Prescription glasses must be removed for the photograph. Sunglasses or tinted lenses are not permitted under any circumstances. Photochromic lenses (lenses that darken in sunlight) are not acceptable even if they appear clear in the photo. The rule applies regardless of whether the applicant wears glasses full-time for medical reasons. Applicants who find it difficult to remove glasses for the photograph should note that the rule is applied strictly and there are no medical exemptions.
Religious Headwear: Permitted With Declaration
Head coverings are not permitted unless worn for religious reasons. Where a head covering is worn for religious reasons, a signed declaration from the applicant confirming the head covering is worn for religious reasons must accompany the photograph. The face must still be fully visible from crown (below the hairline) to chin. The head covering must not cast shadows on the face. For women wearing hijab: the face from hairline to chin and ear to ear must be fully visible. For other religious head coverings (turban, kippah, etc.): the face must be fully visible and the covering must be a consistent plain or simple pattern. Decorative or fashion head coverings (hats, caps, headbands) are not permitted.
Background and Lighting Requirements
Plain white or off-white (cream) background. No patterns, textures, or objects in the background. No shadows on the background; even slight shadows caused by poor studio lighting can cause rejection. The background must be uniform, not a wall with visible texture, paint marks, or wallpaper. No tinted or coloured backgrounds. Many applicants attempt to edit photographs taken against a non-white background to replace the background digitally. UKVI examiners are trained to identify digitally altered backgrounds, and photographs with evidence of digital editing are rejected.
Lighting: uniform lighting across the face with no visible shadows cast by the nose, chin, or glasses frames; no shadows on the background; no red-eye effect; no overexposure or underexposure; skin tones must be accurately represented, not whitened, darkened, or colour-corrected.
Most Common Reasons Photographs Are Rejected
Rejected due to background: coloured or patterned backgrounds; visible furniture, doorways, or objects; shadows cast on the background.
Rejected due to face or head: glasses of any kind; sunglasses or tinted lenses; hair covering eyes or forehead; head tilted, turned, or not centred; mouth open or visible teeth; eyes closed or partially closed.
Rejected due to print quality: printed on plain paper rather than photographic paper; pixelated or blurry images; creased, torn, or dirty photographs; dark or faded photographs; photographs with writing or marks on them.
Rejected due to recency: photographs more than 6 months old; photographs that clearly do not represent the applicant's current appearance.
Rejected due to alteration: digitally edited background; colour-corrected skin tone; filtered or beautified images.
Photographs for Children
The same specification applies to children as to adults, with two additional considerations: infants who cannot hold their head upright may have the photograph taken from above with the child lying on a white surface, provided the face is fully visible and meets all other requirements. Young children may have eyes that are not fully open in photographs; this is acceptable if the child is clearly awake and the eyes are partially visible. Children must not wear bibs, hats, or items that obscure the face. For family visa applications where children are included, photographs for each child must be submitted separately meeting the same specification.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size must UK visa photos be?
UK visa photographs must be 45mm high x 35mm wide, the standard UK passport photo size. They must be in colour, printed on photographic paper, with a plain white or off-white background.
Can I wear glasses in a UK visa photo?
No. Glasses of any kind have not been permitted in UK visa photographs since October 2018. Prescription glasses must be removed. There are no medical exemptions to this rule.
Can I wear a hijab in a UK visa photo?
Yes, provided the head covering is worn for religious reasons and the full face from hairline to chin and ear to ear is clearly visible. A signed declaration confirming the religious reason for the head covering must accompany the photograph.
How recent does a UK visa photo need to be?
The photograph must have been taken within the last 6 months. Photographs that do not represent the applicant's current appearance may be rejected even if technically within the 6-month window.
Can I print a UK visa photo at home?
No. Photographs must be printed on photographic paper by a professional lab or photo booth. Home-printed photographs on plain paper or even glossy inkjet paper are rejected.
How We Verified This Article
This article draws on UKVI passport and visa photograph guidance published on GOV.UK, Home Office VAC rejection data, and current photo specification requirements current as of May 2026.
