Don’t get your application rejected right away: make sure your digital passport photo is formatted for uploading. Many files are rejected for being improperly formatted or too low resolution/compressed. This list is only concerned with digital specifications, so you can check your file immediately and it will pass your own automated checks.
A digital passport photo is a photo file that is designed to be submitted online, rather than printed out.
Compared to traditional paper photos, digital files are authenticated automatically. Systems validate format, resolution, compression, and biometrics — not just whether the photo looks good.
PhotoGov automatically formats the file for this digital validation stage so you can upload the file with no manual changes.
These are the technical verifications online systems perform before accepting a digital passport photo. If any of these go wrong, the file is probably going to be rejected automatically.
The standard digital size is 2 × 2 inches (or equivalent in pixels)
Requirement | Digital Submission Notes |
Output Size | 2 × 2 inches (digital output) or corresponding pixel dimension |
Pixel Resolution | Minimum size of 600 × 600 px, maximum size is usually considered to be 1200 × 1200 px |
File Format | JPEG is recommended, PNG is sometimes accepted. HEIC is not supported for uploading |
DPI Metadata | 300 DPI is recommended for trusted digital submission |
Compression | No over-compression and visible artifacts |
Color Mode | Full-color RGB |
Filters & Effects | Not allowed for digital submission |
Biometric Alignment | Head centered · correct scale · eyes visible |
Background | Plain and uniform, without visual distractions |
These problems occur only during submission online and are the leading causes of rejection for digital passport photos.
Wrong Resolution
The image appears clear on the screen, but the size of the pixels or the DPI metadata doesn’t pass the checks for digital upload.
Photos that are saved or shared via apps frequently lose quality. Compression artifacts can cause automatic rejection, even if the photograph looks fine.
Lighting is uneven or shadows are too strong may pass the eye test. But fail the automated analysis of the image at the time of upload.
The improper digital cropping can distort the proportions and alignment of the face, which are automatically validated by the online systems.
If your file doesn't clear a series of automated checks, the submission generally fails right away — with no clear explanation. Rather than trying to figure out which technical details led to the rejection, it’s simpler to start with a file that’s already been set up for digital submission.
PhotoGov formats, verifies and processes your passport photo for online submission, PhotoGov ensures your photo meets digital requirements prior to you uploading it.
Create a digital passport photo
Take a photo with your phone or camera and use an online tool such as PhotoGov to turn it into a digital passport photo that meets requirements.
Some tools allow you to make a simple 2×2 photo at no cost, but they state that the compliance checks and formatting will be applied through processing so the photo is not rejected.
Use the back‑facing camera, stand in front of a plain wall with natural light, and PhotoGov will crop and resize your photo to 2×2 for you.
Yes, you can take a digital passport photo at home as long as it's in the right format, is cropped correctly and has been verified that it can be submitted online.
The most frequently occurred problems are incorrect size, low resolution, over compression, wrong cropping, and file format not supported.
You can find more information on the FAQ page.
Authored by:
Nathaniel K. RowdenApproved by Association of Visa center
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