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Guidance

Photo standards: caseworker guidance

Tells HM Passport Office staff about the quality, style and appearance required of passport photographs.

Updates to this page

From:
HM Passport Office
Published:
7 February 2012
Last updated:
4 March 2026
Show all updates

  1. This guidance has been updated in the 'bars in photos' section.

  2. Guidance has been updated in the following sections: DAP examiner: resolving a basic photo scanning issue, DAP examiner: no photo standards task, bars on photos, eyes: looking at the camera, adding a photo to an application, mirror images.

  3. Details of the updates can be found in the 'Changes from last version of this guidance' within the document.

  4. A list of updates is in the 'changes from last version of this guidance' section.

  5. Updated the guidance to version 36.0.

  6. Guidance updated as detailed on page 5.

  7. Updates to the guidance.

  8. Accessible version added.

  9. Updated document with minor formatting changes throughout.

  10. First published.

Documents

Photo standards (accessible)

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Photo standards

PDF, 303 KB, 32 pages

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Details

This guidance tells HM Passport Office staff about the quality, style and appearance required of passport photographs in order to meet the standard set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and in what cases exceptions may be made.

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