head 64–76 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceUK Visas and Immigration
Verified
Quick answer: The recommended UK biometric residence permit (BRP) photo size is 35 × 45 mm. Plain neutral background with good contrast to the face. Head occupies 64–76% of photo height (29–34 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 64–76% of photo heightICAO 9303: 70–80% |
| Head height (mm) | 29–34 mm chin to crownICAO 9303: 32–36 mm |
| Background | Plain neutral background with good contrast to the face. |
| Pose | Face strictly straight; entire head visible; no other people or objects in the frame. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Photo must be well-lit, sharp, and without digital alterations. |
| Digital resolution | 600 × 750 px |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | min 50 KB · max 6 MB Compress photo to 2 MB — UK biometric residence permit (BRP) → |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
UK residence permit photos are reviewed by the relevant immigration authority. The review checks that the photo matches the applicant's current appearance, confirms the background and lighting meet the stated standard, and validates that the head-height ratio falls within the specified range. Some authorities run an automated biometric pre-check before the manual review stage.
Residence permit photos often have stricter recency requirements than passport photos, because the document is tied to an active legal status that may be audited. Submit a photo taken within the last three months where possible, even if the authority allows up to six months.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for UK biometric residence permit (BRP) applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
How to take it
Background: plain neutral
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Head: 64–76 % of the photo height (29–34 mm)
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | UK Visas and Immigration |
|---|---|
| Source | UK permission digital photo guidance |
| Verified |
Questions
The recommended size for the UK biometric residence permit (BRP) photo is 35 × 45 mm. The head occupies 64–76% of the photo height. Submit the photo with your application file or online portal as required by the immigration authority.
Residence permit photos often have stricter recency requirements than passport photos because the permit is tied to an active legal status. Submit a photo taken within the last three months where possible, even if the authority allows up to six months.
Plain neutral background with good contrast to the face. The wall behind you must be evenly lit with no shadows. Patterns typically trigger automated pre-screening rejection at the immigration submission portal.
Usually no. Even when dimensions match, residence permit applications require a fresh photo that reflects your current appearance at the time of application. Reused passport photos are a frequent rejection cause.
If hair, beard, weight or facial features have changed noticeably, take a new photo. The immigration reviewer compares the photo to your current appearance during the in-person submission or biometric appointment.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the UK immigration authority rejects the photo and you supply the official rejection notice.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
Yes. The same 35 × 45 mm format and head size apply to: refugee travel document, residence permit.