Getting a passport or ID photo rejected for not meeting spec is more common than you'd think. This guide covers the official size rules for the most commonly needed documents, and how to turn a photo you already have into one that meets spec — no studio visit required.
US passport and visa photo requirements (official)
According to the U.S. Department of State, a US passport photo must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51mm), with the head size (chin to top of head) between 1 and 1-3/8 inches (25-35mm). The background must be plain white or off-white, and the photo must have been taken within the last 6 months, in color, facing the camera directly with a neutral expression. Digitally altering the photo with software, filters, or AI editing is explicitly not allowed. The same size and background rules apply to US visa photos. (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, checked: 2026-10-04)
UK passport photo requirements (official)
Per GOV.UK, a UK passport photo must be 35 x 45mm, taken within the last month, in color, with a plain light-colored (cream or light grey) background and a neutral expression with your mouth closed. If you're applying online, you'll upload a digital photo instead of a printed one. Head size and background shade requirements are checked automatically when you apply online, so follow the on-screen guidance at the time you apply. (GOV.UK, gov.uk/photos-for-passports, checked: 2026-10-04)
If you're outside the US, UK, or South Korea, check your own country's passport authority for the exact size and background rules before submitting — requirements vary by country and can change.
South Korea: passport and resident ID card photos
For readers dealing with Korean documents specifically: per Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs passport guidance, a Korean passport photo must be 3.5cm wide x 4.5cm tall, with a head length (crown to chin) of 3.2-3.6cm, a white background, and taken within the last 6 months, unedited and without headwear. Korean resident registration card (주민등록증) photos use the same 3.5 x 4.5cm size; when applying for a reissue online through Gov24, the digital upload is commonly required as a JPG file at roughly 413 x 531 pixels. (Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs passport site; checked: 2026-10-04 — always confirm the exact figure shown on the Gov24 application screen at the time you apply, since on-screen specs can be updated.)
How to make your own ID photo with Dagochim
- Open the ID Photo Maker tool.
- Drag in a photo of yourself — a front-facing shot against a plain white background works best.
- Pick the document type (passport, national ID, etc.) you need the size for.
- Adjust face position and size, then download.
If your background isn't white, use Dagochim's Remove Background tool first to cut out the background, fill it with white, and then crop to spec with the ID photo tool.
Checklist for taking the photo yourself
- Face the camera directly with a neutral or natural expression
- If you wear glasses, angle the shot to avoid glare (note that some countries, including the US, don't allow glasses in the photo at all anymore)
- Don't cover your face with a hat or scarf (religious head coverings are usually an accepted exception)
- Light your face evenly to avoid harsh shadows
- Keep hair away from covering facial features like your cheeks or jawline
Alternative: photo studios and self-service booths
A professional photo studio will get the size, lighting, and composition exactly right, but it costs money and time. Self-service photo booths (common near transit stations in several countries) also shoot to spec automatically, but they cost money too and don't offer much flexibility if you need a retake. If you already have a usable photo and just need it resized to spec, doing it yourself online is the fastest, free option.
Common problems
- It got rejected after submitting: usually because the head-size ratio fell outside the allowed range, the background wasn't truly plain/white, or there was visible retouching. Double check proportions and background carefully before resubmitting.
- Wrong file format: many government portals only accept JPG/JPEG. If yours is a different format, convert it first with Dagochim's Image Format Converter.
- File size too big or too small: each submission site has its own allowed size range. Adjust the quality setting when saving to fit it.
Is my data safe?
Yes. Dagochim's ID photo tool never uploads your face photo to a server — everything is processed inside your browser. It's built with the sensitivity of ID photos specifically in mind.
Other common sizes the same tool supports
Beyond passport-style photos, Dagochim's ID photo tool also supports other common sizes used for résumés, exams, and professional headshots in various formats. Always double-check the exact size requested by whoever you're submitting to, since requirements vary by organization and country.
If you need a printed copy
For situations that need an actual printed photo rather than a digital upload, Dagochim's tool can also lay out multiple copies on a standard 4x6 inch (10x15cm) print sheet. When printing at a studio or on a home printer, print at "actual size (100%)" with "fit to page" turned off so the proportions stay accurate. This layout also saves paper when you need several physical copies, such as submitting the same photo with multiple applications.
Frequently asked questions
Are US and UK passport photo sizes the same?
No. The US uses a 2x2 inch (51x51mm) square photo, while the UK uses a 35x45mm rectangular photo. Always check the size for your own country before submitting.
Can I use a selfie I took myself?
If it meets the size, background and no-editing rules, a self-taken photo is usually accepted. Digital retouching or AI-edited photos are not allowed by the US State Department and most other passport authorities.
What if my background isn't white?
Remove the background first, fill it with the required color, then crop it to the official size with an ID photo tool.