Japan visa and passport photo: sizes and requirements 2026
Japan
In short. For a Japanese visa the photo is 45×45 mm (square); some consulates accept 2×2 inches; for a Japanese passport it is 35×45 mm with a head height of 34±2 mm. White or light plain background, no glasses, and the photo no older than 6 months.
- Japan visa: photo 45×45 mm (square); some embassies and consulates accept the 2×2 inches format (51×51 mm).
- Japan passport: photo 35×45 mm, head height from chin to crown 34±2 mm (i.e. 32-36 mm).
- Background white or light plain (white, light grey, light blue), without shadows and patterns; the photo taken no later than 6 months ago.
- No glasses, no headwear, neutral facial expression, mouth closed, eyes visible. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited.
- Submission: at the consular section of the Embassy of Japan or through the VFS Global visa centre in countries where it operates.
Short answer
Japan uses two different photo formats. For the visa the basic size is 45×45 mm (square), but certain embassies and consulates accept the American format of 2×2 inches (51×51 mm). For the Japanese international passport a different standard applies — 35×45 mm with a head height of 34±2 mm.
Photo sizes
| Document | Photo size | Head / face |
|---|---|---|
| Visa (basic) | 45×45 mm (square) | head ≈27 mm, top margin ≈7.5 mm; face approximately 70-80% of the frame |
| Visa (at some consulates) | 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) | same |
| Passport | 35×45 mm | 34±2 mm (32-36 mm) from chin to crown |
For the passport, leave a margin of approximately 2-6 mm above the head to the top edge of the photo.
Common requirements (visa and passport)
- Background: white or light plain (white, light grey, light blue are accepted), evenly lit, without shadows, patterns or objects. The safest choice is pure white, because some consulates require only that.
- Recency: the photo taken no earlier than 6 months before submission.
- Glasses: better to remove them; if you keep them on — without glare, both eyes fully visible, the frame not covering the eyes. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited.
- Headwear: prohibited (exception — religious reasons, the face must be fully uncovered).
- Facial expression: neutral, mouth closed, no smile, eyes open, looking straight into the camera.
- Colour: colour photo only.
Digital photo for the eVisa
If you apply for an electronic visa through the official MOFA portal, the photo is uploaded in an image format (JPG/JPEG, PNG, as well as GIF, BMP, HEIC). File size — up to 240 KB. The exact requirements for resolution and size are shown directly in the upload form before submission, so follow those.
Where to submit
- Embassy / consulate of Japan — at the consular section serving your place of residence.
- VFS Global — in countries where this centre operates, applications for short-term (tourist, business) visas are submitted there; the decision is always made by an embassy officer, VFS only receives the documents.
Before submitting, always check the website of the embassy or consulate serving your country: the exact photo size (45×45 mm or 2×2 inches) and the number of copies may differ.
Most common reasons for rejection
- Incorrect size or head smaller/larger than the norm.
- Grey, coloured or uneven background, shadows behind.
- Smile, open mouth, tilted head.
- Glare on the glasses, tinted lenses or a frame covering the eyes.
- Old photo (over 6 months) or a low-quality printout.
How to prepare quickly
Upload a selfie on a white background — the tool will automatically set the 45×45 mm square for the visa or 35×45 mm for the passport, check the background, centre the face and produce a file ready for printing and uploading.
Related guides
Official sources
Questions
- What size photo is required for a visa to Japan?
- The basic size is 45×45 mm (square). Some embassies and consulates of Japan also accept the 2×2 inches format (51×51 mm). Check the website of the embassy serving your country.
- How does the passport photo differ from the visa photo?
- A Japan passport requires a 35×45 mm photo with a head height of 34±2 mm (32-36 mm), while the visa requires a square 45×45 mm photo. These are different standards, so one photo does not work for both documents.
- Can I be photographed wearing glasses?
- It is better to remove the glasses. If you keep them on — both eyes must be fully visible, with no glare on the lenses, and the frame must not cover the eyes. Tinted lenses and sunglasses are prohibited.
- How recent must the photo be?
- The photo must be taken no earlier than 6 months before submission and accurately reflect your current appearance.