Published January 15, 2025 · 6 min read
How to Make a Passport Photo Online
Skip the photo studio and pharmacy. You can create compliant passport, visa, and ID photos at home in minutes — free. Here's the complete guide.
What makes a valid passport photo
Passport requirements vary by country, but most share these rules:
- Recent: Taken within the last 6 months
- Front-facing: Direct eye contact with the camera
- Neutral expression: Mouth closed, eyes open
- Plain background: White, light grey, or light blue
- No shadows: Even lighting on face and background
- Full head visible: No hats, no sunglasses (religious exemptions may apply)
- Head size: 60–70% of the frame height
- Size: Standard dimensions per country
- Print quality: 300 DPI minimum
Standard passport photo sizes by country
| Country | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) |
| United Kingdom | 35 × 45 mm |
| India | 35 × 45 mm |
| Pakistan | 35 × 45 mm |
| Canada | 50 × 70 mm |
| China | 33 × 48 mm |
| Japan | 35 × 45 mm |
| Australia | 35 × 45 mm |
| Germany | 35 × 45 mm |
| France | 35 × 45 mm |
Always verify the exact requirements of your specific passport office — some accept digital uploads, some require physical prints, and technical specs vary.
Step-by-step: making a passport photo at home
Step 1 — Take the photo
- Stand against a plain white or light-colored wall
- Use soft, even lighting from front (window light works)
- Hold the camera at chest height (or have someone else)
- Look straight at the lens, neutral expression
- Wear dark clothing (contrasts with white background)
- Remove glasses and hats
- Shoot at high resolution — 3000×3000 or larger
Step 2 — Remove the background (if needed)
If your background isn't pure white, use the AI background remover. Download the transparent PNG.
Step 3 — Crop to passport dimensions
Open the passport photo maker. Choose your country preset, adjust zoom and position so your head fills 60–70% of the frame, choose a background color (white or light grey typically).
Step 4 — Download
Download the single photo for digital submission, or download the print sheet (multiple copies arranged on a 4×6 inch sheet) for printing.
Step 5 — Print (if needed)
For physical prints:
- Save the print sheet to a USB drive or email it to yourself
- Take it to a pharmacy (Walgreens, CVS, Boots) or print shop
- Print on photo paper at 300 DPI
- Cut with a paper trimmer for clean edges (scissors leave jagged edges)
Digital submission vs physical print
Different countries have different requirements:
- US, Canada: Physical prints required for standard passport applications
- India: Digital upload for online applications, physical for offline
- UK: Digital upload accepted for online passport renewal
- China: Physical print typically required
Check the specific requirements of your passport office before submitting.
Common mistakes
- Shadows on the face or background. Even lighting is essential.
- Smiling. Most countries require a neutral expression.
- Wrong dimensions. Even a 5 mm difference can get your photo rejected.
- Blurry or pixelated. Print quality needs 300 DPI at print size.
- Background not pure white. Light grey with shadows gets rejected.
- Head too small or too large. Must be 60–70% of frame height.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use my phone to take a passport photo?
Yes. Modern smartphones take excellent passport photos. Use the back camera (not selfie), stand against a plain wall, and use natural light.
Is the print sheet accepted at pharmacies?
Pharmacies will print any file you give them, but they can't guarantee it meets passport office requirements. Use the print sheet at 300 DPI on proper photo paper, and cut carefully.
How do I know if my photo will be accepted?
Check the specific requirements of your passport office. For US passports, use the State Department's photo tool. For UK, use the Home Office guidance.
Does BG Remove store my passport photo?
No. All processing (background removal, cropping, background color) happens in your browser or is deleted after processing. See our Privacy Policy.
Can I make a baby's passport photo with this tool?
Yes, but you may need an adult to hold the baby against a plain background. The AI can struggle with baby faces — inspect the result carefully.