UK Passport vs Visa Photo
The UK publishes two different photo rule sets — one for passports, one for visas and permission applications. This comparison lines them up rule by rule, highlighting the 10MB vs 6MB limit, the visa-only vertical/mirroring rules, and the ban on reusing your passport photo. Based on GOV.UK guidance.
Same government, two rule sets
The UK publishes one set of rules for a passport photo and a different set for a visa or permission face photo. They share a lot, but the differences are where people slip up. This table lines them up.
| Rule | Passport photo | Visa / permission photo |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum dimensions | 600 x 750 px | 600 x 750 px |
| File size | 50KB – 10MB | 50KB – 6MB |
| File type | Not specified here | jpg or jpeg |
| Orientation | Not specified | Vertically orientated |
| Mirroring | Not specified | Must not be mirrored or flipped |
| Reuse of passport photo | — | Forbidden (must not be the same photo as in your passport/ID) |
| Cropping | Do not crop — it is done for you | Not stated on the visa page |
| Who takes it | Booth, shop or own device | Arrange for another person to take it |
The three differences that matter most
- File-size ceiling. The passport photo allows up to 10MB; the visa photo stops at 6MB. If you prepare one file for a visa, keep it under 6MB.
- Orientation and mirroring. The visa rules explicitly require a vertical, non-mirrored, non-flipped jpg/jpeg. The passport page does not state these in the same terms — but a mirrored photo is a rejection risk either way.
- You cannot reuse the passport photo. The visa guidance flatly forbids using the same photo as in your passport or identity card. So even where the technical rules overlap, the visa side needs a fresh photo.
Can one photo satisfy both?
Technically a single well-taken image could meet both technical rule sets — but the visa rule against reusing your passport photo means you need a different photo for the visa than the one in your passport. Practically, take a fresh photo for each application and meet the stricter limits (6MB, vertical, jpg, not mirrored) to be safe. Our UK visa face photo and digital file requirements guides go deeper, and the general passport vs visa photo page compares countries.
Frequently asked questions
Can one photo be used for both my passport and my visa?
No. The visa guidance forbids using the same photo as the one in your passport or identity card, so the visa needs a different photo.
Which file-size limit applies to me?
A passport photo can be up to 10MB; a visa or permission photo must be no more than 6MB.
Why does the visa photo have to be vertical?
The visa formatting rules require a vertically orientated jpg or jpeg that is not mirrored or flipped; the passport page does not state the same terms.
Can I crop my passport photo myself?
No — the passport guidance says do not crop it, as cropping is done for you.
Are the background requirements the same?
Both ask for a plain light-coloured background with clear contrast between you and the background; the exact wording differs slightly.
Is a mirrored photo a problem?
Yes — the visa rules prohibit mirroring or flipping, and a mirrored image is a rejection risk generally.
Sources: GOV.UK “Get a passport photo” (gov.uk/photos-for-passports) and “Take a photo of your face for a visa application or permission” (gov.uk/guidance/how-to-take-a-photo-for-a-visa-application-or-permission, published 12 February 2026). Retrieved 2026-09-28.