Quick answer: This United Kingdom visa preset uses 35 × 45 mm with plain neutral background with clear 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 clear 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 clear, well-lit, and without digital alterations. |
| Digital resolution | 600 × 750 px |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| File size | Check the authority portal before upload |
UK visa photos are administered by **UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)** with the spec at gov.uk. For paper applications: 35×45mm, two identical photos, head 29-34mm chin-to-crown (matches UK passport spec), face approximately 80% of image. For digital: JPEG at least 600×750 pixels, max 10MB. Background plain light grey or cream (NOT white). Glasses: best to remove to avoid glare/reflections. Most UK visa applicants now capture biometrics + photo at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services Centre (UKVCAS) abroad.
| Authority | UK Visas and Immigration |
|---|---|
| Source | UK visa digital photo guidance |
| Verified | |
| Confidence | Official — general |
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for United Kingdom visa 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.
Stand 1–2 metres from a plain, light-coloured wall — match Plain neutral background with clear contrast to the face. The gap eliminates shadow on the wall behind you. Consular automated pre-screening rejects photos with patterned wallpaper or any background colour gradient.
Face a large window during daylight hours. Even frontal light prevents shadow under the brow ridge and beside the nose — two of the most common rejection triggers for consular visa applications.
Look straight at the camera. Keep your head level and centred in the frame. Even a 3–5° tilt is flagged by the consular ICAO alignment check before a human reviewer sees the application.
Both shoulders square to the camera. Visa photos are biometrically checked against the same reference standard as passports — turned shoulders shift the perceived face centre.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections For visa photos, consular pre-screening is particularly strict on glasses glare. If you must wear glasses for medical reasons, document this in your application.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes fully open and looking directly at the lens. No smile, no raised eyebrows, no parted lips. Match the expression of someone sitting for an official photograph, not a friendly portrait.
Deep solid colours photograph cleanest against a light background. Avoid white tops (they merge with the background), uniforms, religious headwear except where permanent and documented, and any large jewellery near the face or neck.
Verify the photo dimensions match 35 × 45 mm, the head occupies 64–76% of the height, both eyes are clearly visible, and the background matches the rule above. The tool catches most issues automatically but a manual check prevents surprises.
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-V-01 |
Background pure white (UKVI specifies light grey/cream) | Re-shoot against light grey or cream backdrop |
UK-V-02 |
Head height outside 29-34mm | Re-crop to UKVI spec |
UK-V-03 |
Photo with smile or teeth visible | Re-shoot neutral expression |
UK-V-04 |
Single paper photo when two required | Print second identical copy |
UK-V-05 |
Digital file under 600×750 px or over 10MB | Re-encode within UKVI digital spec |
UK-V-06 |
Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
UK visa applications are administered by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), with applications submitted online at gov.uk and biometrics captured at UKVCAS centers worldwide.
gov.uk + UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services Centre
Photo + fingerprints captured at UKVCAS or VFS center (operated by Sopra Steria / VFS Global). The photo specification: 35×45mm, light grey/cream background, head 29-34mm.
Authority pagegov.uk/evisa
BRP physical cards are being phased out — eVisa is now the standard. Travel proof obtained via share code from your UKVI account.
Authority pagePlain neutral background with clear contrast to the face is required. Consular pre-screening systems are strict on background — even minor texture, gradient or off-white tone is grounds for immediate rejection before a human reviewer sees the application.
Visa authorities typically require photos taken within the last three to six months. Reused passport photos are a frequent rejection cause, especially for first-time visa applications.
Each visa type has specific dimensions. Submitting a passport-sized photo for a visa that requires different proportions is grounds for rejection. Verify the spec table above matches the visa category you are applying for.
The face must be centred horizontally and vertically with the head straight. Consular automated systems flag head tilt above 3–5 degrees before manual review.
Glasses glare, hair across the eye, head covering that obscures the facial outline (except for documented religious exception), or any accessory near the face is rejected by automated pre-screening.
Smile, raised eyebrows, parted lips or visible teeth all cause rejection. Consular photos use the same biometric standard as passports — neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open.
If submitting a physical photo, low-quality home printing, glossy paper instead of matte, ink streaks or finger smudges around the edges all cause manual rejection at the consular submission stage.
It depends on when your previous biometrics were captured and which application. UKVI may reuse biometrics within a 5-year window for some visa categories (extension of stay), but new applications typically require a fresh capture at a UKVCAS or Sopra Steria center.
No. The Home Office stopped issuing physical BRPs on October 31, 2024. New visa holders receive an eVisa accessed through their UKVI online account. Existing BRP holders should transition to an eVisa via UKVI account creation. BRPs cannot be used for international travel since June 1, 2025.
Use the UK Immigration: ID Check app to verify your identity remotely. Generate a share code from your UKVI account before travel — this proves your immigration status to airlines and border officials. Without an active UKVI account + share code, travel is blocked.
This United Kingdom visa 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. Many consulates also require a specific digital file size — see the spec table above for full details.
Plain neutral background with clear contrast to the face. The background must be evenly lit with no shadow gradients, especially around the head. Consular automated pre-screening rejects photos with any wall texture or off-white shade before the human reviewer ever sees the application.
Visa authorities typically require the photo to be taken within the last three to six months. Submitting an older photo, even one that looks similar to your current appearance, is a frequent cause of immediate consular rejection.
Not always. Tourist, work, student and transit visa categories sometimes specify different dimensions or background rules. Use the exact profile for your specific visa type rather than assuming one photo fits all United Kingdom visa applications.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the photo is the cause of rejection and you supply the consular rejection notice. The refund covers the €4.99 download fee. We recommend keeping the consular receipt with rejection reason as proof.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. Consular automated checks flag glasses glare even when it is invisible to the human eye. Removing glasses entirely is the safest choice unless a medical exception is documented in your visa application.
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.