Australian Passport Photo vs Visa Photo: Quick Comparison
Here's a side-by-side comparison of Australian passport photo requirements versus typical visa photo requirements:
| Specification | Australian Passport Photo | Visa Photo |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 35mm x 45mm | Varies by country (see below) |
| Background | Plain white | Usually white (varies) |
| Format | Digital (JPEG) or printed | Digital and/or printed (varies) |
| Face height | 32mm - 36mm (chin to crown) | Varies by country |
| Recency | Within last 6 months | Within last 6 months (usually) |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed | Neutral (most countries) |
| Glasses | Allowed (no glare) | Usually not allowed |
Your Australian passport photo (35mm x 45mm) is the same size as Schengen, UK, and Irish visa photos, but different from US (2x2"), Indian (2x2"), and Chinese (33x48mm) visa photos. Don’t assume one size fits all.
Australian Passport Photo Requirements (Summary)
Before comparing visa photos, here's a quick recap of Australian passport photo requirements. For the full guide, see our complete Australian passport photo requirements article.
Visa Photo Requirements by Country
Here are the photo requirements for the most common visas Australian travellers apply for. Notice how the sizes and rules differ from your Australian passport photo:
United States (B1/B2 visitor visa)
Schengen / EU (tourist visa)
United Kingdom (Standard Visitor visa)
India (tourist e-Visa / regular visa)
China (tourist L visa)
Visa photo requirements can change without notice. Always verify the current requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate website before submitting your application. The specifications above were accurate as of February 2026.
Key Differences Between Passport and Visa Photos
While passport photos and visa photos share many common rules (neutral expression, forward-facing, no hats), there are important differences that catch people out:
Your Australian passport photo is 35mm x 45mm (portrait orientation). But a US visa photo is 51mm x 51mm (square), and a Chinese visa photo is 33mm x 48mm. You cannot simply crop an Australian passport photo to fit — the aspect ratios are different.
Australian passport photos require a plain white background. Most visa photos also require white, but some consulates accept light grey or light blue. Always check — submitting the wrong background colour is a common rejection reason.
Australian passport applications via APO are digital — you upload a JPEG directly. But many visa applications still require printed photos. Schengen visas typically need 2 printed photos, Chinese visas need 1 printed photo glued to the form, and US visas need a digital upload.
An Australian passport application needs just 1 digital photo. Visa applications often need multiple printed copies. Don’t assume you only need one — running short at the embassy is frustrating.
- China: Both ears must be fully visible. Hair must not cover ears at all.
- India: Digital photos for e-Visa must be between 10KB and 1MB. Face should cover 50-60% of the frame.
- Schengen: Some consulates require photos taken within the last 3 months, not 6.
- Australia: Online applications only need a digital upload \u2014 no prints required.
- US: Photos must be in colour. Black and white photos are not accepted for US visas.
Common Mistakes When Submitting Visa Photos
These are the most frequent mistakes Australian travellers make with visa application photos:
Common Mistakes
- Using your Australian passport photo for a visa that requires a different size
- Cropping a passport photo to fit visa dimensions (changes head proportions)
- Submitting a digital photo when printed copies are required (or vice versa)
- Using a photo older than 6 months for a visa application
- Not bringing enough printed photos to the embassy appointment
- Ignoring country-specific rules (ears visible for China, file size for India)
How to Avoid Them
- Check the exact photo size for your specific visa type before taking the photo
- Take a fresh photo and have it processed to the correct dimensions from scratch
- Confirm whether your application needs digital, printed, or both formats
- Take a new photo for each application to ensure recency requirements are met
- Print extra copies — better to have too many than too few
- Use a service like EasyPassportPhoto that formats photos to each country's specific requirements
One Selfie, Any Visa or Passport Photo
EasyPassportPhoto creates compliant photos for Australian passports and international visas. Upload one selfie, and our AI formats it to the exact specifications you need — correct size, background, and compliance.
How EasyPassportPhoto Handles Both
Instead of figuring out the exact requirements for each country and trying to format photos yourself, EasyPassportPhoto does it all automatically:
Take a photo with your smartphone against any background. Our AI handles the rest.
Background is replaced with a compliant white background. Lighting is balanced. Your face is detected and the photo is cropped to the exact dimensions required.
Receive a photo that meets DFAT passport requirements. The same selfie can be processed for different visa specifications if needed.
Get a digital JPEG for online applications, or a print-ready file you can print at home or at any photo printing shop.
Every photo from EasyPassportPhoto is checked against official requirements before delivery. If your photo is rejected by any passport office or embassy, we'll refund you in full. A$12.99 — that's it.