ID Photos

Biometric Passport Photo: The ICAO Doc 9303 Baseline

ICAO Doc 9303 biometric photo baseline: 35×45mm, head 32–36mm, face 70–80%, plain light background. Preview free — HD download $1, 300-DPI print sheet $2

✦

Privacy note：Advanced smart enhancements show clear guidance before use. Please make sure you have permission to edit the photo.

Make Your ID Photo

40+ countries · 400+ China formats · Exact pixel output · crop-only mode for strict documents · background tools for eligible formats

What Is a Biometric Passport Photo?

A biometric passport photo is a machine-readable portrait built around ICAO Doc 9303, the international standard behind e-passports and most modern ID photos. The ICAO baseline in our verified database:

  • Size: 35×45mm (413×531px at 300 DPI)
  • Head height: 32–36mm from chin to crown
  • Face coverage: 70–80% of the photo height
  • Background: plain light / light grey, no shadows
  • Recency: taken within the last 6 months
  • Editing: strict — no alteration of appearance

Where the ICAO Baseline Applies

Many national rules are ICAO-aligned. Verified examples from our spec database:

  • Schengen visa: 35×45mm, head 32–36mm, face 70–80% — per EU Visa Code Regulation (EC) No 810/2009
  • Japan passport: 35×45mm, explicitly follows ICAO Doc 9303 — per Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • UK passport: 35×45mm, head 29–34mm, plain light grey or cream background — per GOV.UK
  • Australia passport: 35×45mm, head 32–36mm, plain light grey — per the Australian Passport Office
  • Germany passport/ID: 35×45mm, head 32–36mm — per the Federal Ministry of the Interior

How to Make One Online

1

Choose the spec

Open the /id-photo tool and pick your country's passport or visa preset — most map to the 35×45mm ICAO-aligned size.

2

Upload a photo

Take a selfie against a plain wall or upload an existing shot. It is uploaded only when you choose AI processing; use the non-AI workflow for authorities that prohibit editing.

3

Preview free

AI centers the face, crops to the exact 35×45mm ratio with correct headroom, and swaps in a compliant background. The preview costs nothing.

4

Download or print

Pay $1 for the exact-pixel HD file, or $2 for a 300-DPI print sheet with multiple copies on one page.

Background & Compliance Notes

  • Background: plain light grey or white per the specific country — our AI replaces it automatically
  • Editing policies are strict in ICAO-aligned countries: no skin smoothing, no reshaping, no filters — our tool adjusts crop, size and background only; you must follow the issuer's editing policy
  • Not every country follows 35×45mm: the US uses 51×51mm, Spain 26×32mm, Greece 40×60mm — always check the specific spec
  • Source: ICAO Doc 9303 (https://www.icao.int/publications/doc-series/doc-9303), tier B2, verified 2026-07-17

Related keywords

biometric passport photoicao photo standardsicao doc 9303 photobiometric photo requirementspassport photo 35x45 biometricicao compliant photo online

FAQ

What size is a biometric passport photo?
The ICAO Doc 9303 baseline is 35×45mm — 413×531px at 300 DPI — with a 32–36mm head height and the face covering 70–80% of the photo. Some countries deviate (e.g. the US at 51×51mm), so check your specific document.
Can I smile in a biometric passport photo?
No. ICAO-aligned rules require a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open, so the biometric face-matching works reliably.
Is one biometric photo valid for every country?
Not automatically. The composition principles are shared, but sizes and backgrounds differ — the US uses 51×51mm on white, the UK accepts a plain light colour, Spain uses 26×32mm. Generate the exact spec for each application.