Visa photo size by country
visa photo dimensions are not standardised globally. 44 countries in this table use 8 different size formats — from the compact 33 × 48 mm Chinese standard to the larger 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) US format.
Quick answer
Most common sizes: 35 × 45 mm, 2 × 2 inches, 35 × 35 mm
35 × 45 mm is used across the Schengen Area, the UK and most former British Commonwealth countries. 2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm) is the US standard, also used by some Caribbean and Latin American states. 35 × 35 mm is the Indian standard. China uses 33 × 48 mm. Last reviewed .
Why visa photo sizes differ by country
Visa photo size usually matches the issuing country's passport photo size, but several authorities apply different rules for visa applications versus their own national passport. Indian visa centres often request 50 × 50 mm even though the Indian passport is 35 × 35 mm. US ESTA and DS-160 both require 2 × 2 inch. Schengen visa applications use 35 × 45 mm across all 27 member states.
A visa photo that fits the consulate's size requirement but uses the wrong background, wrong head ratio or wrong expression will still be rejected. Size is necessary but not sufficient — use the per-country guide on this table for the complete specification.
Visa photo size by country — full table
Click any country to see the full specification, source link and shooting guide.
| Country | Size | Background | Head height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afrique du Sud | 35 × 45 mm | Fond blanc, gris clair ou crème uni. | 70–80% |
| Allemagne | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni. | 71–80% |
| Arabie saoudite | — | Fond blanc uni. | 70–80% |
| Argentine | 40 × 40 mm | Fond blanc uni. | — |
| Autriche | 35 × 45 mm | Fond uni sans ombres conformément aux Passbildkriterien officiels autrichiens. | 71–80% |
| Azerbaïdjan | 35 × 45 mm | Fond blanc uni. | — |
| Bangladesh | 35 × 45 mm | Fond blanc uni. | — |
| Biélorussie | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni, sans ombres ni objets parasites. | 70–80% |
| Brésil | 35 × 45 mm | Fond strictement blanc. | 70–80% |
| Bulgarie | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni. | 70–80% |
| Canada | 35 × 45 mm | Fond blanc ou clair uniforme. | 69–80% |
| Chine | 33 × 48 mm | Fond blanc uni. | 58–69% |
| Chypre | 35 × 45 mm | Fond gris clair uni, sans ombres ni motifs. | 70–80% |
| Corée du Sud | 35 × 45 mm | Fond strictement blanc. | 56–78% |
| Croatie | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni. | 70–80% |
| Égypte | 51 × 51 mm | Fond blanc uni. | — |
| Émirats arabes unis | 35 × 45 mm | Fond strictement blanc, de haute qualité. | 70–80% |
| Estonie | 40 × 50 mm | Fond clair uni, sans objets parasites ni motifs. | 70–80% |
| États-Unis | 51 × 51 mm | Fond blanc ou blanc cassé uni, sans ombres ni objets parasites. | 50–69% |
| Europe Schengen | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni. | 70–80% |
| France | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni conforme aux normes ISO/IEC et ICAO 9303. | 70–80% |
| Géorgie | 35 × 45 mm | Si la source officielle ne publie pas de règle distincte concernant le fond, utilisez un fond clair uni, sans textures, ombres ni objets parasites. | 50–70% |
| Inde | 51 × 51 mm | Fond blanc ou blanc cassé. | 49–69% |
| Indonésie | — | Fond strictement blanc. | 50–60% |
| Irlande | 35 × 45 mm | Fond blanc ou gris clair uni. | 70–80% |
| Israël | 50 × 50 mm | Fond blanc uni. | 70–80% |
| Japon | 35 × 45 mm | Fond blanc ou clair uniforme. | 70–80% |
| Kazakhstan | 35 × 45 mm | Fond blanc ou gris clair uni. | 71–80% |
| Lettonie | 35 × 45 mm | Fond uni sans objets parasites. | 70–80% |
| Mexique | — | Fond blanc uni. | — |
| Norvège | 35 × 45 mm | Fond éclairé de manière uniforme. | 70–80% |
| Ouzbékistan | 35 × 45 mm | Si la source officielle ne publie pas de règle distincte concernant le fond, utilisez un fond clair uni, sans textures, ombres ni objets parasites. | — |
| Pakistan | 35 × 45 mm | Photo récente (de moins de 6 mois), fond uni sans ombres. | — |
| Philippines | 51 × 51 mm | Fond strictement blanc. | 50–69% |
| Pologne | 35 × 45 mm | Fond strictement blanc ; une photo en couleur de 35 × 45 mm, de moins de 6 mois. | 70–80% |
| République tchèque | 35 × 45 mm | Fond blanc uni. | — |
| Roumanie | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni conforme à la norme Schengen. | 70–80% |
| Royaume-Uni | 35 × 45 mm | Fond neutre uni avec un contraste net par rapport au visage. | 64–76% |
| Russie | 35 × 45 mm | Si la source officielle ne publie pas de règle distincte concernant le fond, utilisez un fond clair uni, sans textures, ombres ni objets parasites. | — |
| Serbie | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni. | 70–80% |
| Slovénie | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni conforme à la norme compatible ICAO 9303. | 70–80% |
| Tadjikistan | 35 × 45 mm | Fond clair uni, sans ombres ni objets parasites. | 70–80% |
| Thaïlande | 40 × 60 mm | Fond blanc uni. | 70–80% |
| Viêt Nam | 40 × 60 mm | Si la source officielle ne publie pas de règle distincte concernant le fond, utilisez un fond clair uni, sans textures, ombres ni objets parasites. | — |
Frequently asked questions
Is the visa photo size always the same as the passport photo size?
Usually but not always. Schengen visa = Schengen passport (35 × 45 mm). US visa = US passport (2 × 2 inches). But Indian visa often uses 50 × 50 mm while Indian passport uses 35 × 35 mm. Chinese visa often uses 33 × 48 mm matching the passport. Always check the visa application portal, not the passport rule.
What size for a Schengen visa photo?
35 × 45 mm across all 27 Schengen member states. The size is set by the EU Visa Code and identical at every consulate. See our Schengen pillar guide for the full specification and country-by-country application route.
What size for a US ESTA or B1/B2 visa photo?
2 × 2 inches (51 × 51 mm). The US Department of State requires the same size for ESTA, B1/B2 visitor, F-1 student, H-1B work and most other US visa categories. Some immigration forms (I-130, I-485) accept a slightly different format — read the form instructions.
My visa photo was rejected at the appointment — what should I check?
Size, background, head height, expression and image quality in that order. A correct size with a wrong-shade background is rejected. A perfect background with a head that occupies the wrong percentage of the frame is rejected. Use our rejection guide for a fix-it checklist.
Related guides
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