Does the tool remove the background?

No. It crops and sizes the photo. Take the picture against a plain, light wall so no background removal is needed.

Selfies distort the face slightly because the camera is too close. Have someone take the photo from about 1.5 metres, or use a timer and prop the phone up.

Is the photo accepted for online applications?

The tool produces a JPG at the official pixel size and 300 DPI. If the portal has a file size limit, run it through Compress to exact KB afterwards.

Guide

How to make a passport photo at home

A passport photo from a shop costs more than it should for what is a crop and a print. If you can take a decent photo against a plain wall, you can do the rest yourself: crop it to the official size with the right head position, and print it on photo paper or upload it to the application. The rules are strict but simple.

Steps

1Stand about 1.5 metres from a plain, light-coloured wall, in even daylight, with no shadows on your face or the wall.
2Have someone take the photo at eye level with the phone held upright. Face the camera, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, no glasses.
3Open Passport photo maker and drop the photo.
4Pick the country. The tool sets the size (for example 2 × 2 inch for the US, 35 × 45 mm for the UK and Schengen) and shows a head-position guide.
5Drag and zoom until your face fits the oval guide, with the top of your head and chin inside the marks.
6Download the JPG at 300 DPI. To print, use Passport photo sheet to place several copies on a 4 × 6 inch or A4 sheet.

Open Passport photo maker

Common rules across countries

Plain white or light grey background, no patterns or shadows.
Neutral expression, both eyes open, mouth closed.
No glasses in most countries (the US and UK require them off).
Head covering only for religious reasons, and the face must be fully visible.
Recent photo, usually taken within the last six months.

Sizes by country

United States: 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm), head 1 to 1 3/8 inch from chin to top.
United Kingdom, Schengen countries, India (passport), Australia: 35 × 45 mm.
India (visa and OCI): 51 × 51 mm.
Canada: 50 × 70 mm.
China (visa): 33 × 48 mm.

Printing at home

Print on glossy or matte photo paper at 100 percent scale, never fit-to-page. A 4 × 6 inch sheet holds six 2 × 2 inch photos or eight 35 × 45 mm photos. Check the printed size with a ruler before you cut.

Always check the official source

Requirements change and some countries have extra rules about head size in millimetres. Check the current official guidance for the passport or visa you are applying for; the tool follows the published sizes, but the authority has the final say.

Questions

Does the tool remove the background?: No. It crops and sizes the photo. Take the picture against a plain, light wall so no background removal is needed.
Can I use a selfie?: Selfies distort the face slightly because the camera is too close. Have someone take the photo from about 1.5 metres, or use a timer and prop the phone up.
Is the photo accepted for online applications?: The tool produces a JPG at the official pixel size and 300 DPI. If the portal has a file size limit, run it through Compress to exact KB afterwards.