United Kingdom
2 government-specification photo formats.
Overview
SpecSnap supports two United Kingdom presets: Passport and Visa / Permission. Passport geometry is 35 × 45 mm for prints, with a 29–34 mm head band. The reference preset is 600 × 771 px, but a digital passport submission must be an original image meeting the separate 600 × 750 px minimum; the reference crop is not a generated submission photo. The passport digital photo must be between 50 KB and 10 MB.
Visa / Permission is a digital-only 600 × 750 px preset with a 50 KB–6 MB file range. It is separate from the passport print format. Both need a neutral expression, visible eyes, and a plain light background without shadows. Printed passport photos specifically require light grey or cream; digital passport photos require a plain light-colored background. Passport photos must be taken within the last month.
Use an original photo without filters, beautification, or digital alterations. SpecSnap provides passport requirements as guidance and does not process UK passport photos, which need an original image. For a digital passport photo taken on your own device, include the head, shoulders, and upper body, and leave cropping to the passport application service. Do not replace the background.
Visa / Permission also requires an unaltered original. SpecSnap offers an optional white-background comparison preview with a submission warning and official source link, without payment, printing, application export or compliance claims. The actual upload is available for comparison only in the live session; history retains a labelled preview. The preview is not an original-photo checker.
Issuing authorities
- HM Passport Office — printed and digital passport-photo requirements on GOV.UK.
- GOV.UK visa / permission guidance — digital photo instructions for visa or permission applications.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
How many UK photo presets does SpecSnap support?
Two: Passport and Visa / Permission. The passport preset provides guidance for an original photo; Visa / Permission requires an unaltered digital photo. Its optional edited comparison preview is unsuitable for submission and has no application export.
What size is a UK passport or visa photo?
Passport prints use 35 × 45 mm with a 29–34 mm head band; the reference preset is 600 × 771 px, while the digital submission minimum is 600 × 750 px for an original image. Visa / Permission uses 600 × 750 px and is digital-only.
Can I reuse a UK passport photo for a visa application?
Check the visa application’s digital requirements first. The passport and visa presets have different output aspect ratios and file ceilings: passport accepts 50 KB–10 MB digitally, while Visa / Permission uses 50 KB–6 MB. Do not assume a passport print tile is the correct visa upload.
What is distinctive about UK passport photo requirements?
Printed passport photos use a plain light-grey or cream background and a 29–34 mm head band. Digital photos require a plain light-colored background. Both have a one-month recency rule. Use an original, unaltered photo; SpecSnap’s passport preset is guidance-only.
What should I check before submitting?
Check the correct application format, background, recency, and file-size range. Keep your mouth closed and eyes clear, avoid glasses glare, and use even lighting. Both documents require unaltered photos. Do not submit the edited visa comparison preview. For passport digital photos, leave cropping to the passport application service.
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