Most countries require passport photos with a plain, light-colored background — usually white. A trip to a photo studio costs $10-20, and pharmacies charge $8-15. But you can take the photo at home and fix the background yourself using remove-bg.io.
The catch is getting the background color right. Here's what each country actually requires, plus how to avoid the most common rejection reasons.
Important: Requirements change. Always verify your country's current passport photo specifications on the official government website before submitting. The information below is accurate as of early 2026 but should be double-checked.
Background Requirements by Country
United States
The US State Department requires a white or off-white background. The full specs:
- Photo size: 2x2 inches (51x51mm)
- Head height: 1 inch to 1-3/8 inches from chin to top of head
- No shadows on face or background
- Taken within the last 6 months
- Neutral expression, both eyes open
United Kingdom
The UK accepts a plain white or light grey background.
- Photo size: 35x45mm
- No shadows, no texture in the background
- Head must face forward, mouth closed
European Union (Schengen Visa)
EU member states each set their own specs, but most follow the ICAO standard:
- Light-colored, uniform background (white, light grey, or light blue depending on the country)
- Photo size: 35x45mm
- Face height should be roughly 70-80% of the photo height
- Check the specific embassy's requirements for your destination country
Canada
- White or light-colored background
- Photo size: 50x70mm
- Neutral expression, mouth closed
- Glasses are generally not permitted in newer guidelines — check the current policy
India
- White background required
- Photo size: 35x45mm for passport; 2x2 inches (51x51mm) for US visa applications
- Face should be centered, with ears visible
Taking the Photo
You can use any smartphone — the cameras on modern phones are more than good enough. A few things that matter:
Lighting is the most important factor. Stand facing a window so natural light falls evenly on your face. Avoid overhead room lights that create shadows under your eyes and nose. If you can see shadows on your face in the phone's preview, adjust your position.
It doesn't matter what's behind you. Stand in front of any wall — you're going to remove the background anyway. A solid-colored wall makes the AI's job slightly easier, but it works on any background.
Have someone else take it. Selfies are technically usable, but it's hard to keep your arm out of frame and get the framing right. Use a timer or ask someone to take it.
Shoulders visible, face centered. Most passport offices want to see your shoulders. Don't crop too tight.
Replacing the Background
Upload your photo to the Background Remover. Once the background is removed, switch to the Background tab and select the appropriate color:
- White for US, India, and most countries — use the White Background tool for a one-step process
- Light grey for UK — use Change Background Color and pick a light grey
- Light blue for some EU countries — same tool, different color
Download the result in full resolution. No watermarks, no account needed.
Why Passport Photos Get Rejected
Having handled a lot of passport photo questions, these are the most common rejection reasons that are within your control:
Shadows on the background. This is the #1 issue. If your original photo has shadows cast on the wall behind you, AI background removal eliminates that entirely — it's actually one of the best reasons to remove and replace the background rather than trying to photograph against a white wall.
Wrong background color. Pure white when the country wants light grey (UK), or off-white when they want pure white (US). Check the specific requirement.
Poor lighting on the face. Uneven lighting, harsh shadows under the nose, or one side of the face darker than the other. No amount of background editing fixes this — you need to retake the photo with better lighting.
Wrong dimensions. Each country has specific size requirements. Crop your photo to the correct aspect ratio before printing.
Glasses. Many countries (including Canada since 2023) no longer accept photos with glasses. When in doubt, remove them.
Printing
Once you have your digital photo with the correct background:
- At home: Print at the required size on photo paper. For US passports, print at 2x2 inches on a 4x6 photo sheet (you can fit multiple copies). Use 300 DPI or higher.
- At a pharmacy or drugstore: Most self-service photo kiosks accept custom sizes. Bring your image on a USB drive or email it to yourself.
- Online services: Some online printing services accept passport photo uploads and mail you the prints.
For a family of four, doing this at home saves $40-80 compared to a photo studio — and you can retake as many times as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my passport photo be accepted? Background removal gives you a clean, compliant background. But passport compliance also depends on face positioning, expression, lighting, and dimensions — factors that depend on how you take the original photo. The background is just one piece.
What resolution do I need? Most passport authorities require at least 600x600 pixels (that's 300 DPI at 2x2 inches). Modern smartphone photos are typically 3000x4000 pixels or higher, so resolution is rarely an issue.
Can I use a selfie? Technically yes, but front-facing cameras are lower resolution and it's hard to frame correctly. A rear camera photo taken by someone else, or using a timer with the phone propped up, gives better results.