Passport Photo FAQ

Everything you need to know about getting perfect visa and passport photos online

164
Countries
954
Document Types
30s
Processing
100%
Guarantee

Getting Started

VisaPics uses advanced AI technology to process your photos in three simple steps:
  1. Upload any photo from your device or take a selfie
  2. Select your country and document type from 164 countries and 954 document types
  3. Our AI automatically adjusts everything to meet official government requirements

The entire process takes less than 30 seconds, and you'll receive professionally formatted photos ready for submission.

Yes, absolutely! Selfies work great with VisaPics. Our AI technology will:
  • Enhance photo quality to professional standards
  • Correct lighting and color balance
  • Ensure proper face positioning and size
  • Remove any background distractions and replace with compliant background color
  • Adjust head size and eye position to meet exact specifications

Just make sure you have good lighting and a neutral expression when taking your selfie. Our AI handles the rest!

We accept the following formats:
  • JPG/JPEG - Most common format, compatible with all devices
  • PNG - High quality with transparency support
  • WebP - Modern web format with excellent compression

Your photo should be at least 600×600 pixels for best results. Maximum file size is 50MB. We also accept photos from iPhone, Android, DSLR cameras, and even scanned photos.

VisaPics supports 164 countries worldwide with 954 different document types. This includes:
  • Popular countries: USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, Germany, France, China, Japan, South Korea
  • European countries: All EU member states, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland
  • Asian countries: India, China, Japan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines
  • Middle Eastern countries: UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey
  • And many more! View the complete list on our Photo Requirements page

Photo Requirements & Specifications

Passport photo sizes vary by country and document type:
  • US Passport & Visa: 2x2 inches (51x51mm)
  • UK Passport: 35x45mm
  • European passports: 35x45mm (most countries)
  • India Passport & Visa: 33x48mm (updated to ICAO 2025 standards)
  • Canada Passport: 35x45mm
  • Australia Passport: 35x45mm
  • China Visa: 33x48mm

Don't worry about memorizing these - VisaPics automatically formats your photo to the exact size required by your selected country and document type!

While requirements vary by country, here are general guidelines for passport photos:
  • Expression: Neutral face, eyes open, mouth closed, no smiling
  • Position: Face the camera directly, looking straight ahead
  • Head position: Head centered, covering 70-80% of photo height
  • Lighting: Even lighting, no harsh shadows on face or background
  • Background: Plain white, off-white, or light grey (we automatically adjust this!)
  • Quality: Clear, in focus, high resolution, no filters or editing
  • Clothing: Avoid white clothing (blends with background), wear everyday attire
  • Glasses: Usually not allowed, or no glare if required for medical reasons
  • Head coverings: Only for religious purposes, face must be visible

Our AI automatically handles most technical requirements like background removal, sizing, and positioning!

Background color requirements vary by country:
  • White background: USA, UK, most European countries
  • Off-white/Light grey: Canada, Australia
  • Blue background: India (for some document types)
  • Red background: China (for some visas)

Don't worry about your current background - VisaPics automatically removes your existing background and replaces it with the correct color for your selected document!

Pricing & Payment

VisaPics is significantly cheaper than traditional photo stores:
VisaPics Pricing:
  • Single photo: $2.99 USD
  • 5 credits: $9.99 ($2.00/photo) - Save 33%
  • 10 credits: $14.99 ($1.50/photo) - Save 50%
  • 25 credits: $29.99 ($1.20/photo) - Save 60%
Compare to Traditional Stores:
  • CVS Pharmacy: $16.99
  • Walgreens: $14.99
  • FedEx Office: $14.95
  • UPS Store: $15.99

Plus you get instant delivery, no travel required, and unlimited retakes! View full pricing

Photo credits are our flexible payment system:
  • 1 credit = 1 photo for any country or document type
  • Valid for 1 year from purchase date
  • Use for any document: passport, visa, ID card, driver's license, etc.
  • Family sharing: Create photos for family members using same account
  • No expiration worries: Use them whenever you need them within the year

Buy a bundle and save up to 60%! Perfect for families or frequent travelers.

We accept all major payment methods through our secure Stripe integration:
  • Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover
  • Debit Cards: All major bank debit cards
  • Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Microsoft Pay
  • Bank Transfers: ACH direct debit (US only)

All payments are processed securely with 256-bit SSL encryption. We never store your card details on our servers.

Guarantees & Policies

Yes! We offer a 100% acceptance guarantee.

If your photo is rejected by any government agency or embassy for technical reasons, we provide:

  • Full refund immediately - no questions asked
  • Free re-processing of a new photo
  • Priority support to resolve any issues within 24 hours

Our 99.9% acceptance rate speaks for itself - we're confident in our AI technology and official government compliance!

Processing is instant! Here's the exact timeline:
  • 0-30 seconds: AI processes your photo, removes background, adjusts sizing
  • Immediately after payment: Photos ready for instant download
  • Within 2 minutes: High-resolution files delivered to your email
  • 24/7 availability: Process photos anytime, even at 3 AM!

No waiting in line, no appointments needed, no store hours to worry about. Get your perfect passport photo in under a minute!

We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can get a full refund if:
  • Your photo is rejected by government authorities for technical reasons
  • You're not satisfied with the photo quality
  • You didn't receive your photos or email delivery failed
  • Any technical issues on our end prevented proper delivery
  • You changed your mind within 30 days of purchase

Simply email us at support@visapics.org with your order number, and we'll process your refund within 24-48 hours. No hassle, no questions asked!

Technical & Delivery

You'll receive your photos in two ways:
  1. Instant Download: Right after payment on the success page - download immediately!
  2. Email Delivery: High-resolution files sent to your email within 2 minutes

You'll receive multiple versions optimized for different uses:

  • Digital version: Perfect for online applications and submissions
  • Print-ready version: Professional quality with crop marks for printing
  • Multi-photo sheet: Multiple photos on one page for cost-effective printing

All files are in high-resolution JPEG format, compatible with all devices and printers.

Yes! You can print your passport photos in three ways:
  • Home printer: Use our print-ready file on photo paper or regular paper
  • Photo stores: Take the file to CVS, Walgreens, Costco, or any photo printing service
  • Online printing: Upload to Shutterfly, Snapfish, or other online photo services

Our print-ready version includes crop marks and multiple photos per sheet, making printing easy and cost-effective. Print as many copies as you need!

Your privacy is our top priority. Here's how we protect your data:
  • Encrypted upload: Photos are encrypted during upload with 256-bit SSL
  • Secure processing: All processing happens on secure servers
  • Automatic deletion: Photos automatically deleted after 30 days
  • No sharing: Never shared with third parties for any reason
  • No facial recognition: We don't store biometric data or use facial recognition
  • GDPR compliant: Full compliance with EU data protection regulations
  • Immediate deletion available: Request deletion anytime via email

Read our full Privacy Policy for complete details on data protection.

Country-Specific Questions

US passport photos must meet these official requirements:
  • Size: 2x2 inches (51x51mm)
  • Head size: 1 to 1⅜ inches from chin to top of head
  • Background: Plain white or off-white
  • Taken within: Last 6 months
  • Resolution: Minimum 600 DPI for printing
  • No glasses allowed (as of November 2016)

VisaPics automatically ensures your photo meets all US State Department specifications. Also works for US visa photos, green card applications, and naturalization forms!

UK passport photos must meet strict HMPO (Her Majesty's Passport Office) requirements:
  • Size: 35x45mm
  • Background: Light grey or cream (not white!)
  • Head size: 29-34mm from chin to crown
  • No smiling, neutral expression required
  • Eyes open, looking straight at camera
  • No tinted glasses

Need a UK digital passport photo code? VisaPics provides official UK photo codes accepted by HMPO. Learn more about UK photo codes.

India passport photos follow ICAO 2025 biometric standards:
  • Size: 33x48mm (updated from old 35x35mm format)
  • Background: White (for passport), sometimes blue for visa
  • Head size: 25mm to 35mm from chin to crown
  • Neutral expression, mouth closed, no smiling
  • Both ears visible (required for Indian passports)
  • Matte or semi-matte finish

India recently migrated to ICAO 2025 specifications. VisaPics is fully updated with the latest requirements. Read more about India ICAO 2025 changes.

Still Have Questions?

Can't find what you're looking for? Our support team is available 24/7 to help you with any questions about passport photos, visa requirements, or technical issues.

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