← Visa Photo Sizes by Country — Requirements & Crop Tool
Japan visa — photo requirements
413×531 px · 71–80% · white · JPEG
Click or drop your photo
JPG / PNG · processed on your device only
Background replacement only — facial features are never altered. Some authorities (US State Dept, UK HMPO, Canada IRCC) require unedited photos; check your destination's rules and prefer a real plain background when possible.
Align the top of the head between the guide lines (71–80% of the frame).
Requirements at a glance
| Size in pixels | 413 × 531 px (300 DPI) |
|---|---|
| Head height | 71–80% |
| Background | white |
| Format | JPEG |
| Checked | 2026-10-26 · Official source ↗ |
Japan follows the standard ICAO portrait for visas: 35 mm wide x 45 mm tall, which is
413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI. The head, from crown to chin, should measure 32-36 mm -
71-80 percent of the frame height - per the guidance published by Japanese embassies and
consulates. Note that the printed MOFA application form shows a stricter figure (head
27 +/- 2 mm with 2-9 mm margin above the hair), and a few posts accept the US-style
2 x 2 inch square, so check the instruction sheet of the embassy or consulate where you
will apply. The background must be plain white with no borders or shadows. The Japan
Online Visa System (eVISA) accepts digital photo uploads for eligible nationalities;
printed applications need two identical photos attached to the form. Because so many
websites still circulate the old square 45 x 45 mm template for other Japanese
documents, double-check that you are on the 35 x 45 mm preset before cropping - a
square crop is visibly wrong for a Japan visa. Align the eyes on the upper third and
leave a visible strip of background below the shoulders; counters check that the
shoulders do not touch the bottom edge. Business attire is customary but not mandatory.
White shirts against a white background reduce contrast - wear a mid-tone. If you use
eVISA, upload the JPEG exactly as exported here; photos older than six months are
refused at submission.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Japan visa photo square?
No - Japan visas use the vertical 35 x 45 mm format (413 x 531 px at 300 DPI), the same rectangle as Schengen. The square 45 x 45 mm photo belongs to other Japanese documents and is a common source of wrong crops.
What head height does Japan require?
32-36 mm on a 45 mm frame, i.e. 71-80 percent of the height, per embassy guidance. The printed MOFA form shows a stricter 27 +/- 2 mm figure - check your local embassy's instruction sheet.
Can I use a photo from my other visa applications?
Only after re-cropping to the 35 x 45 mm vertical format. A square or US 2 x 2 inch crop will be rejected; a few consulates accept 2 x 2 inch, but the safe default is 35 x 45 mm.