What resolution does the UK visa photo need?

At least 600 x 750 pixels, 50 KB to 6 MB, JPG. This tool exports exactly 600 x 750 px - the official minimum for the digital application route.

Is a white background required for UK visas?

No. The official guidance asks for a plain light background - cream or light grey works and reduces harsh contrast with pale skin.

No older than one month at the time of application.

Size in pixels	600 × 750 px (300 DPI)
Head height	64–76%
Background	plain light (cream or light grey)
Format	JPEG, ≤ 6144 KB
Checked	2026-10-26 · Official source ↗

For UK visa applications the current digital route asks for a photo of at least

600 x 750 pixels, between 50 KB and 6 MB, in JPG - this tool exports exactly

600 x 750 pixels. The underlying ICAO format it matches is 35 x 45 mm, where the face

from chin to crown must be 29-34 mm, i.e. 64-76 percent of the photo height; the crop

proportions here follow that band. Unlike the US, the UK accepts a plain light

background in cream or light grey; pure white is also fine. The photo must be no older

than one month at the time of application. UK guidance tolerates the lightest touch of

natural expression, but smiling with visible teeth is a common retake trigger. The

29-34 mm head band sits slightly higher than the Schengen band, so use the UK preset

rather than borrowing another format's crop. Shoot with the camera at eye level -

tilting the phone up shows nostrils and fails the face-forward requirement. The cream

or light-grey background rule exists because a stark white background can blow out

against pale skin in automatic exposure; if you have light skin, grey improves edge

detection. Photos must show the full head with nothing touching the frame edge - a

hair bun clipped by the border is a real rejection. For applications through the

UK Immigration: ID Check app, your face scan may replace the photo entirely, in which

case no upload is needed at all.