Passport Photo Size Requirements by Country - Japan, US, EU, China, Korea

Why Photo Requirements Differ by Country

Despite international standards existing, passport and ID photo sizes vary by country. ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) defines minimum face photo requirements in Doc 9303, but specific photo dimensions and background colors are left to each country's discretion. ICAO minimums only specify "face width 50-75% of photo width" and "margin above crown" without defining physical photo size.

Main reasons for differing standards:

• Historical development: Each country developed its ID photo system independently, making unification difficult. Japan's 45x35mm has been used since the 1960s, and changing would require updating all infrastructure (photo booths, application form layouts)
• Facial recognition requirements: Different immigration systems use different algorithms with varying optimal face-to-photo ratios. The US square format is considered to yield higher facial recognition accuracy
• Print and binding standards: Physical passport size (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-3: 125x88mm) is standardized, but photo placement layouts differ by country
• Security requirements: Varying biometric adoption levels create different requirements for face angle and expression. The EU introduced strict biometric requirements since 2004

When visa applications require photos, you must prepare images meeting the destination country's specifications. Photos from Japanese photo booths may not be directly usable, so verifying requirements beforehand is essential.

Japan's Photo Requirements - Passport, My Number Card, Driver's License

Japanese passport photos follow specifications set by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Requirements were partially tightened in the 2023 revision, particularly adding image quality requirements for digital applications.

• Size: 45mm x 35mm (height x width)
• Face size: Crown to chin 34mm +/- 2mm (approximately 70-80% of photo height)
• Crown margin: Crown to photo top edge 2-6mm
• Background: Plain, light color (white, light blue, light gray). Patterns and shadows not allowed
• Recency: Taken within 6 months of application date
• Resolution (digital): 600x600px+ recommended. Online applications require 400x514px minimum

My Number Card uses the same 45x35mm with slightly different face ratio requirements (70-80% crown to chin). Driver's license is smaller at 30x24mm requiring separate photography. Residence cards are 40x30mm.

Key points for Japanese ID photos: bangs must not cover eyes (eyebrows visible), no glare on eyeglass lenses (frames covering eyes also rejected), no shadows on face (uniform frontal lighting), no teeth-showing smiles (closed mouth natural expression), no colored contact lenses. These are main causes of automated screening rejection. Since 2023, passport center screening has become stricter, with previously accepted photos now being rejected.

US Photo Requirements - Passport, Visa, Green Card

American passport photos follow specifications set by the Department of State. Both size and background color differ from Japan, requiring attention. The US is distinctive for its square format, designed to improve facial recognition system accuracy.

• Size: 2x2 inches (51x51mm) - square
• Face size: Crown to chin 25-35mm (50-69% of photo)
• Eye position: Photo bottom to eye center 28-35mm
• Background: White or light off-white only. No other colors accepted
• Recency: Within 6 months of application
• Digital submission: 600x600px to 1200x1200px, file size under 240KB, JPEG format

Simply cropping Japanese portrait-oriented photos results in incorrect face proportions, so US specifications must be considered during shooting. Some Japanese photo booths offer "US passport size" options, but many don't, so photo studio shooting is recommended.

US-specific notes: Since November 2016, photos with eyeglasses are generally not accepted (medical exceptions require doctor's note). Hats/head coverings not allowed except for religious reasons. Green Card applications use the same 2x2 inch specification. For DS-160 online submission, photos are auto-cropped/resized, so central face placement is critical.

EU Photo Requirements - Schengen Visa and Country Differences

EU member states share basic requirements under the Schengen Agreement, but details vary by country. EU Regulation 2252/2004 introduced biometric photo requirements, applying stricter standards than before.

• Germany: 45x35mm. Face size 32-36mm. Background is uniform light gray (RGB approximately 180-220). Biometric compliance requires neutral expression with closed mouth. Germany is known for the strictest screening within the EU
• France: 45x35mm. Face size 32-36mm. Background is light plain color (blue or gray acceptable). France is somewhat lenient on expression - slight smiles may be accepted
• UK (similar standards post-Brexit): 45x35mm. Background is cream or light gray (white not accepted). Baby photos (under 1 year) don't require open eyes
• Italy: 45x35mm. Background white only. Face size 70-80% of photo. Italy is known for slow processing, so photo rejections cause significant time loss

Schengen visa photos are standardized at 45x35mm, but individual embassies may impose additional requirements. Always verify latest requirements on the relevant embassy website. German embassies are particularly strict on photo quality, rejecting for slight shadows or background unevenness.

China and Korea Photo Requirements - East Asian Specifications

China and Korea maintain their own ID photo specifications. Here are detailed requirements for both countries frequently visited from Japan.

China:

• Size: 48x33mm (passport). Visa applications unified at 48x33mm since 2019
• Background: White only. No other colors accepted. Shadows or gradients in background cause rejection
• Face ratio: Crown to chin 70-80% of photo. Crown margin 3-5mm
• Special notes: Both ears must be visible (hair covering not allowed). Forehead must not be covered by bangs. Chinese visa centers use automated photo screening systems with very strict standards
• Digital: 354x472px, file size 40-120KB, JPEG, sRGB color space

Korea:

• Size: 45x35mm (passport)
• Background: White only
• Face ratio: Crown to chin 25-35mm
• Special notes: Since 2020, infant photos must meet adult standards. Korea accepts glasses but no lens reflection
• Digital: 413x531px, file size under 500KB

Chinese visa applications enforce strict photo checks. Online applications use automated systems detecting face position, background uniformity, and brightness, rejecting photos with even minor deviations. Using photo studios near Chinese visa centers or specification-compliant ID photo apps is recommended.

Passport photo guides are available on Amazon

Digital ID Photo Tips - Shooting and Editing at Home

Taking ID photos with smartphones or digital cameras and editing to meet specifications has become common. Effective when you lack time for photo studios or need urgent visa applications. However, accurately meeting each country's specifications requires attention to several key points.

Shooting tips:

• Lighting: Use natural light (near windows) or uniform frontal lighting. Position light source slightly above and in front to avoid facial shadows. Avoid flash which causes red-eye and unnatural shadows
• Background: Shooting against a white wall is simplest. Standing 50cm+ from the wall reduces background shadows. Non-uniform backgrounds can be replaced with white via image processing
• Camera position: Place camera at eye level, facing forward. Smartphone front cameras have wide-angle lenses causing facial distortion - rear camera + self-timer produces more natural photos
• Expression: Natural expression with closed mouth. No visible teeth, no wide-open eyes, no excessive chin tucking. Aim for "calm expression" not "expressionless"

Editing points: Crop precisely to each country's specifications, verifying face position ratios with rulers or guidelines. Adjust brightness and contrast for uniform facial illumination, but avoid excessive beauty filters. Fix background color unevenness with image editors while keeping face-background boundaries natural. Save at resolution meeting digital submission requirements with JPEG quality 90%+.