AnswerUnited Kingdom online passport applicationchecked November 10, 2026
UK online passport photo rejected
For a UK online application, the digital photo must be unaltered, taken in the last month, at least 600 pixels wide and 750 pixels tall, and 50 KB to 10 MB, on a plain light-coloured background that contrasts with you. GOV.UK crops it for you, so do not crop it yourself.
Why it happens
- The background is not plain or light, or blends with your hair or clothes.
- The photo was cropped, edited or filtered.
- Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- The expression is not plain, or the mouth is open.
How to fix it
Do not crop
Include your head, shoulders and upper body. GOV.UK crops it.
Use a light plain background
A light wall in clear contrast to you, evenly lit.
Check it free
Our checker runs the background, light and pose checks. We do not sell a file for UK online photos because the Passport Office crops it itself.
Check your photo now, free
Checks
- Add a photo to see the crop and the checks.
Bought your photo here and it was still rejected? You get a free redo or a refund. See the guarantee
Questions
Why don't you sell a UK online photo?
GOV.UK asks for an uncropped, unedited photo and crops it itself. A paid file would add nothing, so the check is free.