Compliant United Kingdom residence permit example (35 × 45 mm)
- Face centred, looking directly into the lens
- Plain background — no shadow, pattern or texture
- Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed
- No glasses, no hair across the face
Quick answer: This United Kingdom residence permit preset uses 35 × 45 mm with plain neutral background with good contrast to the face. Head occupies 64–76% of photo height (29–34 mm chin to crown). Neutral expression, see glasses rule. It is based on official general guidance; verify the final submission route on the authority portal. Last verified .
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| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 64–76% of photo height |
| Head height (mm) | 29–34 mm chin to crown |
| 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 | Check the authority portal before upload |
UK residence permit photos are administered by **UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)** / Home Office. CRITICAL TRANSITION: physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have been DISCONTINUED — the Home Office stopped issuing new BRPs in November 2024, replacing them with the digital eVisa system. As of 1 June 2025, BRPs can no longer be used for international travel. As of 1 April 2025, BRP services are no longer available at Post Office branches. New residence applicants now receive an eVisa accessed via a UKVI online account; photos + fingerprints are captured at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services Centre (UKVCAS) abroad or self-captured via the UK Immigration ID Check app.
| Authority | UK Visas and Immigration |
|---|---|
| Source | UK permission digital photo guidance |
| Verified | |
| Confidence | Official — general |
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for United Kingdom residence permit applications. The final decision always belongs to UK Visas and Immigration, but these are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Upload a portrait — the tool crops, removes the background and checks compliance against the 35 × 45 mm rule automatically.
Plain neutral background with good contrast to the face. Plain, evenly lit, no shadow or texture. The photo is bound to your active legal residence status — immigration reviewers compare your live appearance to the photo at submission appointments, so quality matters.
Use daylight from a window in front of you. Avoid overhead lights that cast shadow under the brow. Many residence permit reviewers run an automated check before the in-person appointment — uneven lighting fails this check.
Camera at eye level, head straight, looking at the lens. Even a 5° tilt is grounds for rejection at the automated review stage. Place your phone on a stack of books to keep it steady.
Square shoulders, both visible. Centre your head in the frame. Residence permit applications often require both a digital upload AND a physical print — the same photo must work in both formats.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections Removing glasses is the safest option for residence permit photos because the document validity is tied to legal status checks that may happen years later.
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open. Residence permit photos are biometrically compared during status renewals — match the neutral expression style of an existing passport photo so future renewals do not flag inconsistency.
Solid dark colours that contrast with the background. Avoid uniforms, religious headwear except where permanently worn, and any clothing or accessories that cover the neckline or face.
Use a photo taken within the last three months. Residence permits are tied to active legal status — submitting an older photo, even one that technically meets the dimension rule, frequently triggers manual review and slows the application.
UK Visas and Immigration publishes the following rejection codes. Knowing the exact code on your notice tells you precisely what to fix in the reshoot.
| Code | Reason | Fix |
|---|---|---|
UK-RP-01 |
Submitting BRP renewal request (BRPs discontinued post-Nov 2024) | Apply for eVisa via UKVI online account |
UK-RP-02 |
BRP used for travel after 1 June 2025 | Use eVisa share code with carrier instead |
UK-RP-03 |
Self-captured photo via app fails biometric scan | Retake in well-lit area per app guidance, or attend UKVCAS |
UK-RP-04 |
Background not plain | Re-shoot against neutral backdrop |
UK residence permit applications are administered by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). The physical BRP (Biometric Residence Permit) was discontinued in October 2024 — current applicants receive an eVisa.
gov.uk + UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services
Photo + fingerprints captured at UKVCAS center. Successful applicants receive an eVisa via UKVI account — no physical BRP card issued since November 2024.
Authority pagegov.uk/evisa
Existing BRP holders should transition to eVisa before BRP expires. Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app for identity verification.
Authority pageResidence permits are tied to your active legal status. Most authorities require a photo taken within the last three months — older photos, even ones that look similar to your current appearance, are routinely rejected.
Plain neutral background with good contrast to the face is required. Immigration submission portals run a strict automated background check. Patterned wallpaper, off-white shade or shadow gradient are all rejection triggers.
Reusing your existing passport photo for a residence permit application is a common rejection cause. Even if dimensions match, immigration authorities typically require a fresh photo for each application.
Head must be straight and centred. Tilt above 3–5° fails the ICAO alignment check applied at both the automated pre-screening and the in-person biometric appointment.
If you have noticeably changed hair, weight, beard or facial features since the photo was taken, the immigration reviewer will reject the photo at the in-person submission stage and require a new one.
Glasses glare, hair across the eye area, or any clothing that covers the chin or face cause rejection at the automated stage. Religious head covering is acceptable only when permanently worn and documented in the application.
Smile, raised eyebrows or parted lips cause rejection. Residence permit photos must use the same neutral expression standard as biometric passports.
This United Kingdom residence permit preset uses 35 × 45 mm based on the official guidance available for this route. Use the 64–76% head-height profile unless the authority portal gives a more specific instruction. 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 or off-white shades 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 United Kingdom immigration authority rejects the photo and you supply the official rejection notice. The refund covers the €4.99 download fee.
Anfas.Pro is an independent tool and is not affiliated with any government authority. The final decision to accept or reject a document photo rests solely with the issuing authority. Requirements change — always verify on the official authority portal before submitting.