UK Passport Photo Requirements 2026 – HMPO Complete Guide

The UK HMPO specifies passport photo requirements on gov.uk and updates them periodically. As of 2026, the requirements are:

• Size: 45mm tall × 35mm wide (equivalent to the ICAO 35×45mm format)
• Background: Plain cream or plain light grey — no patterns, textures, or shadows
• Head height: 29–34mm (chin to crown of head)
• Expression: Neutral — mouth closed, relaxed face
• Glasses: Not permitted (since 2021, applies to all types)
• Head coverings: Permitted for religious or medical reasons; full face must be visible
• Recency: Taken within the last 6 months (within 1 month for countersignatory applications)
• Format: Colour photo, sharp focus, no red-eye, no shadows on face or background
• Print quality: Printed on high-quality paper, glossy or satin finish, no creases or marks

Note that HMPO guidance states dimensions as height × width (45×35mm), while the ICAO standard notation is width × height (35×45mm). The physical size is identical — this is a notation convention difference only.

The UK is notable for accepting both plain cream and plain light grey backgrounds — not just white. This gives slightly more flexibility than most countries, which require strictly white or off-white. In practice, a plain white background is also accepted by HMPO as it falls within the "plain cream or light grey" range.

What HMPO does not accept: coloured backgrounds, patterned walls, shadows from the subject falling onto the background, or a background that blends with the subject's clothing or skin.

For adult passport renewals applied for online via the UK government's digital service (gov.uk/renew-adult-passport), you do not need to submit physical printed photos. Instead, after completing your application, you receive a link to upload a digital photo.

The digital photo must meet the same compliance requirements as a printed photo: plain cream or light grey background, no glasses, neutral expression, head correctly sized. The file should be a JPEG, minimum 600×800 pixels, under 10 MB.

Digital submission is available for:

• Adult passport renewals applied for online

Digital submission is not currently available for:

• First-time adult passport applications
• Child passport applications (most cases)
• Applications requiring a countersignatory
• Emergency travel document applications

For first-time adult passport applications and most child passport applications, a countersignatory is required. A countersignatory is a person who confirms your identity by signing the back of one of your two passport photos and completing a section of your application form.

A countersignatory must:

• Have known you personally for at least 2 years
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Hold a current UK passport (or one that expired within the last 5 years)
• Not be related to you by blood or marriage
• Not live at the same address as you
• Not be your partner or former partner

The countersignatory writes a specific phrase on the back of the photo ("I certify that this is a true likeness of [full name]") and signs it. They also provide their passport number and contact details.

For applications via the countersignatory route, the photos must have been taken within 1 month of the application date — a stricter recency requirement than the standard 6-month window for online renewals.

Children's passport photos must meet the same technical standards as adult photos. Some practical accommodations are made for very young children:

• Babies under 6 months: Eyes do not need to be fully open. The mouth can be slightly open. Support devices (such as a hand or car seat) must not be visible in the photo.
• All children: No toys, dummies, or pacifiers should appear in the photo. No other person should be visible.
• Infants who cannot sit up: It is acceptable to photograph a baby lying on a plain white background — the white background is visible but acceptable in this specific case.

A countersignatory is required for child passport applications unless the child is renewing and the parent applying holds a valid UK passport and applies online through a limited set of qualifying circumstances.

From 2021, the UK HMPO no longer permits glasses of any type in passport photos. This aligned the UK with the ICAO biometric standard, which prohibits glasses because they can partially obscure the eyes and interfere with automated facial recognition at border e-gates.

Previously, glasses were permitted with certain restrictions (no tinted lenses, no flash glare, frames not covering eyes). The 2021 change removed all glasses, including prescription glasses, reading glasses, and medical prescription eyewear. Contact lenses remain permitted.

Brexit did not change the technical passport photo requirements. The UK passport photo standard was and remains based on ICAO Doc 9303, which is a global standard maintained by the International Civil Aviation Organization — not an EU regulation.

The visible change post-Brexit was the return of the blue passport cover (replacing the burgundy EU-format cover) and some changes to the country name on the cover. The underlying biometric chip, photo requirements, and ICAO compliance remained the same.

For visa purposes, UK citizens now require a Schengen short-stay visa for visits exceeding 90 days within a 180-day period to EU/Schengen destinations — but the photo format for a Schengen visa (35×45mm ICAO, white background) is the same standard used for UK passports.

• Post Office: Most Post Office branches offer a passport photo service. The photos are printed and checked for compliance.
• Pharmacy chains: Boots, Superdrug, and other pharmacies offer photo booths and in-store photo services.
• Supermarket photo booths: Available in many large supermarkets. Output is printed automatically in the correct UK format.
• Online tools: For online passport renewal applications that accept digital submission, online passport photo tools can produce a JPEG file that meets HMPO requirements.