Can I smile in a UK passport photo?

No. HM Passport Office requires a plain expression with no smile and mouth closed. This is stricter than US passport rules, which allow a natural smile.

What background color should a UK passport photo use?

Plain light-coloured — HM Passport Office recommends light grey or cream. For printed photos, the background must be plain cream or light grey. Pure white (the US default) may cause issues.

What size is a UK passport photo?

For printed (paper) applications: 45mm × 35mm with head height 29–34mm. For online applications: upload a digital photo (min 600×750 px, 50KB–10MB) and the system crops it for you.

Do babies need eyes open in a UK passport photo?

Children under 1 do not need to have their eyes open. Children under 6 do not need a plain expression. Babies can lie on a plain light sheet and be photographed from above.

Do US citizens need a UK ETA?

Yes. From 25 February 2026, US citizens need an ETA (£16) for short stays including tourism, family visits, and business. It's valid for multiple journeys over two years.

Are glasses allowed in UK passport photos?

HM Passport Office says remove them if you can. If you must wear them, eyes must be clearly visible with no glare or reflections. No sunglasses or tinted lenses.

Can I use a 4×6 print template for UK passport photos?

Not recommended. GOV.UK says printed UK passport photos must NOT be 'a cut down version of a larger picture.' The 4×6 template hack works for US passports but creates compliance risk for UK paper applications.

How much does a UK passport cost from the US?

£108 for adults and £70 for children (online, from overseas). Additional delivery/handling fees apply for applications made outside the UK.

Does the UK passport system crop my photo automatically?

Yes. For online applications, HM Passport Office says do NOT crop your photo — the system will crop it for you. Just include head, shoulders, and upper body.

Do dual UK-US citizens need an ETA?

No. British citizens (including dual citizens) are exempt from ETA. From 25 February 2026, dual British citizens should present a British passport or Certificate of Entitlement.

UK Passport & ETA Photo Requirements (USA)

The UK uses 45×35 mm printed photos on a cream or light grey background — not white. No smile. Automated checks reject aggressively. And the 4×6 print hack doesn't work for UK paper apps.

Get UK Photo — $6.99 UK vs US Specs

45×35 mm format Digital upload ready Cream/grey background

UK Photo Specs

Printed size	45 × 35 mm
Head height	29–34 mm (chin to crown)
Background	Cream or light grey (not white)
Expression	No smile, mouth closed
Digital (online)	Min 600×750 px, 50KB–10MB
Recency	Within 1 month (not 6 months)
Glasses	Remove if possible
Cropping	Don't crop — system does it

Source: HM Passport Office / GOV.UK

No Smile

UK requires plain expression, no smile. US allows smiling. This is the #1 surprise for Americans.

Not White — Cream/Grey

UK says light grey or cream. Pure white (the US default) may trigger automated rejection.

1 Month — Not 6

UK requires photos taken within the last month. US allows up to 6 months.

UK vs US: Side-by-Side Comparison

Requirement	UK Digital (Online)	UK Printed (Paper)	US Passport
Size	System crops; min 600×750 px	45 × 35 mm; not cut from larger	51 × 51 mm (2×2 in)
Head height	System handles	29–34 mm	25–35 mm (1–1⅜ in)
Background	Light grey or cream	Plain cream or light grey	White or off-white
Expression	No smile, mouth closed	No smile	Neutral or natural smile
Glasses	Remove if possible; no glare	Remove if possible; no glare	Not allowed
Recency	Within 1 month	Within 1 month	Within 6 months
File specs	JPEG, 50KB–10MB, 600×750+	N/A (printed)	JPG/HEIF, 54KB–10MB
Cropping	Don't crop — system does it	Must be exact 45×35	Must be exact 2×2
Baby eyes	Under 1: not required	Under 1: not required	May be not entirely open

Online vs Paper: Two Different Photo Workflows

Online Application (Most Common)

Upload a digital photo — no printing needed
Min 600×750 pixels, 50KB–10MB, JPEG
Don't crop — the system crops for you
Include head, shoulders, and upper body
Light grey or cream background
Phone photos are fine (use a friend)
Stand ~0.5m from background, ~1.5m from camera

Get Digital UK Photo

Paper Application

Two identical printed photos, 45×35 mm
Head height: 29–34 mm (chin to crown)
Background: plain cream or light grey
Must NOT be cut from a larger picture
High-quality photo paper only
The 4×6 template hack does NOT work here

GOV.UK explicitly says photos must not be "a cut down version of a larger picture."

UK ETA: Required for US Citizens from Feb 2026

The Electronic Travel Authorisation is "permission to travel" — not a visa and not a tax. From 25 February 2026, US citizens without an ETA cannot board transport to the UK.

£16

Current fee

2 years

Validity

Multiple

Journeys

£20

Future price

Dual UK citizens: Exempt — present British passport or Certificate of Entitlement instead
Transit: Needed if you pass through UK passport control; airside transit at Heathrow/Manchester without passport control does not need one
Photo: UKVI specs apply — 600×750 px min, 50KB–6MB, JPEG, plain light background

Age-Specific Photo Rules

The UK has clear, explicitly stated child accommodations — more structured than most countries.

Baby (Under 1)

Eyes open NOT required
Can lie on plain light-coloured sheet
Photograph from above
Support head with hand (hand not visible)
No toys, dummies, or pacifiers
Child must be only person in photo

Child (1–5, Under 6)

Plain expression NOT required
Don't need to look directly at camera
No toys, dummies, or pacifiers
Child must be alone in photo
Face must be visible (no hair over eyes)

Age 6+ (Adult Rules)

Full adult rules apply from age 6
Plain expression, no smile, mouth closed
Eyes open and visible
16+: eligible for adult passport
65+: no age relaxations, but disability accommodations available

UK Passport Renewal from the US

£108

Adult online (from overseas)

£70

Child online (from overseas)

Most US-based renewals use the online route with a digital photo
Don't book travel until you have the passport — no fixed processing time
Dual nationals: send colour photocopy of non-UK passport (all pages including blanks)
Name on UK passport must match non-British passport — change first if different
Additional delivery/handling fees apply for overseas applications

UK Consular Offices in the US

Washington DC Atlanta Boston Chicago Houston Los Angeles Miami New York Seattle

Dual UK-US Citizens

Entering UK: Use British passport (or Certificate of Entitlement)
Entering US: US law requires US passport
ETA: Exempt as a British citizen
Names: Must match across passports before applying

Why UK Photos Get Rejected More Often

The UK uses automated checking for online applications — less forgiving than a human reviewer.

Smiling

The automated system catches smiles. Plain expression only — mouth closed.

Wrong Background

Textured walls, pure white, objects behind you. Must be plain cream/light grey.

Shadows

Shadows on face or behind head. Stand 0.5m from background to reduce this.

Cut From Larger Photo

For paper apps: GOV.UK explicitly rejects photos cut down from a larger picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. HM Passport Office requires "plain expression — no smile and mouth closed." This is stricter than US rules, which explicitly allow smiling with mouth closed.

HM Passport Office specifically recommends light grey or cream. Their automated validation checks for background uniformity and contrast — pure white backgrounds can fail these checks. For printed photos, the requirement is explicitly "plain cream or light grey."

Not for UK paper applications. GOV.UK says printed photos must NOT be "a cut down version of a larger picture." For online applications, you don't need prints at all — just upload a digital photo. The 4×6 hack is great for US passports and many other documents, but creates compliance risk for UK paper submissions.

Yes. From 25 February 2026, US citizens need an ETA (£16, rising to £20) for short stays. It's valid for multiple journeys over 2 years or until your passport expires. Dual UK citizens are exempt.

No — HM Passport Office explicitly says "do not crop" because their system will crop it for you. Include your head, shoulders, and upper body in the frame.

Children under 1 do not need eyes open. Children under 6 do not need a plain expression or to look directly at the camera. No toys or dummies/pacifiers allowed. Babies can lie on a plain sheet, photographed from above.

If you pass through UK passport control, yes. If you're making an airside transit at Heathrow or Manchester without going through passport control, you currently don't need one.

HM Passport Office doesn't promise a fixed time for overseas applications. They advise not booking travel until you have the passport. Some guidance suggests allowing at least 6 weeks for renewals.

Official Sources

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Correct cream/light grey background, plain expression, and the right digital specs for HM Passport Office's automated checks. Works for UK passport, ETA, and visa applications.

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