UK visa photo size — 35×45 mm UKVI dimensions

Exact dimensions and pixel size

UK visa photos use the 35×45 mm portrait format — the same dimensions as the UK passport photo. At 600 DPI this becomes 827 pixels wide by 1063 pixels tall. VFS Global biometric centres capture the photo on site for biometric enrolment, but you should still bring a print or pre-uploaded digital copy for the application file.

If you are applying through the 'Apply for a UK visa' online service from outside the UK, you typically upload the digital JPG in the supporting documents step. File size should sit under 240 KB; pixel dimensions should match 35×45 mm at 600 DPI exactly to pass the portal's automated dimension check.

Head height and positioning

Head height — chin to crown, hair included — must be between 29 and 34 mm. That works out to 65-75% of the photo's vertical extent. The eyes should be roughly two-thirds up from the bottom edge, on a horizontal line with no tilt.

Face must be squared to the camera with shoulders visible. UKVI explicitly rejects three-quarter angles, looking-away gazes, and any tilt of more than five degrees. Children's photos use the same framing rules but allow slightly softer expressions if the child is under five.

Background colour — not pure white

The UK requirement is a plain light grey or cream background — not pure white. UKVI's printed guidance accepts white as well, but VFS biometric centres routinely flag pure-white backgrounds as overexposed, which causes manual review and delays. Light grey around #EEEEEE is the safe default we apply by default.

Background must be uniform, with no shadows behind the head or against the wall. No textures, no patterns, no doorframes or furniture. Common rejection causes are visible shadows from indoor lighting and gradient backgrounds from window light.

Recency, glasses and expression

UKVI requires the photo to have been taken within the last month — one of the strictest recency rules globally. The VFS biometric officer compares the photo against your in-person capture, and any visible change (haircut, weight, glasses) past four weeks risks rejection.

No glasses at all since 2016, even for medical reasons. Religious head coverings are allowed only when the face is fully visible from chin to forehead without shadow. Expression neutral, mouth closed; no big smiles, no teeth showing.

UKVI portal upload and VFS appointment requirements

When you complete the online application on gov.uk, the supporting documents step may ask for a digital photo. Upload the 35×45 mm JPG sized at 600 DPI. The portal accepts JPG only, between 50 KB and 240 KB, sRGB colour.

At your VFS Global biometric appointment, the agent captures a fresh photo for the biometric chip — but bringing a compliant printed copy speeds things up if the on-site capture is contested. complypic produces both the portal-ready JPG and a 4×6 inch print sheet in a single export.

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