A 2026 visa photo is a portrait conforming to each country’s specific regulations, differing from Vietnamese CCCD photos in size, background, and face ratio. The US uses 5x5cm square photos, Schengen uses 3.5x4.5cm, the UK requires a gray background, and Japan uses 4.5x4.5cm squares. Get it wrong and your application gets returned.
This article compiles the visa photo requirements of the 12 countries most commonly visited by Vietnamese travelers. Information is updated from official sources at embassies and visa application centers (VFS, US Embassy, Immigration NZ).
Quick Reference — 12 Countries
| Country | Size | Background | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 5x5cm square | Pure white | DS-160 needs 600-1200px file |
| Schengen (26 EU countries) | 3.5x4.5cm | Bright white | No glasses |
| United Kingdom | 3.5x4.5cm | Light gray or cream | No pure white background |
| Ireland | 3.5x4.5cm | White or light gray | Same as UK |
| Japan | 4.5x4.5cm square | White | Taken within last 3 months |
| South Korea | 3.5x4.5cm | Pure white | 35x45mm 300dpi file |
| Taiwan | 3.5x4.5cm | White | Taken within last 6 months |
| Australia | 3.5x4.5cm | White or gray | Form 1419 attached |
| New Zealand | 3.5x4.5cm | White | Online file 450-500KB |
| Canada | 3.5x4.5cm | White or light gray | Date written on back of photo |
| India (e-Visa) | 5x5cm square | White | Online upload only |
| China | 3.3x4.8cm | Pure white | Face larger than Schengen standard |
Country-by-Country Details
United States (B1/B2, F1, J1, H1B Visas)
The US visa is the strictest among popular destinations. Requirements:
- Size: 5x5cm (2x2 inch) square
- Online DS-160 file: JPEG 600x600 to 1200x1200 pixels, ≤240KB
- Background: Pure white, no shadows, no borders
- Face: Occupying 50-69% of frame, top of head 2.5-3.5cm from upper edge
- No glasses: Including colored contact lenses
- Time frame: Taken within last 6 months
- Common errors: Uploading photos with wrong ratio (not truly square), yellowish background
Schengen (Germany, France, Italy, Spain…)
The Schengen visa covers 26 European countries. Requirements:
- Size: 3.5x4.5cm
- Background: Bright, even white
- Face fills: 70-80% of frame height
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed
- No glasses: Even transparent ones
- Taken within: Last 6 months
- Submission: 2 printed photos per application
United Kingdom
The UK visa has a distinctive requirement: the background must not be pure white — it must be light gray or cream:
- Size: 3.5x4.5cm
- Background: Light gray (not white)
- Ears: Both must be clearly visible
- No glasses
- Taken within: Last 1 month (stricter than other countries)
Japan
The Japan visa is one of the few countries (besides the US) that uses square photos for visas:
- Size: 4.5x4.5cm square
- Background: Pure white
- Taken within: Last 3 months (strictest)
- Expression: Neutral
- No glasses
South Korea
The South Korea visa requires both printed photos and digital files for e-Visa applications:
- Print size: 3.5x4.5cm
- Digital file: 35x45mm, 300dpi, JPEG
- Background: Pure white
- Max file size: 100KB
Australia, New Zealand, Canada
These three countries share similar standards — all use 3.5x4.5cm with white or light gray backgrounds. Differences:
- Australia: Comes with form 1419, requires name and date of birth on back of photo
- New Zealand: Online file 450-500KB
- Canada: Date taken plus studio name on back of photo
Errors That Cause Visa Photo Rejection
Even with correct sizing, visa photos can be rejected for these 7 reasons:
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
| Uneven background color | Shoot at a professional studio with ISO-standard backdrop |
| Shadows from head to shoulders | Use balanced two-light setup |
| Hair covering part of eyebrows | Style hair neatly before shooting |
| Smiling with teeth showing | Maintain neutral expression, slight smile only |
| Excessive skin-smoothing filters | Don’t edit with phone apps |
| Face tilted from axis | Shoot straight at 90 degrees, no tilting |
| Hair or dust on background | Inspect background before shooting |
Visa Photos at Gạo Nâu Profile
The complete visa photo package at Gạo Nâu Profile includes:
- Shot to each country’s specifications — our studio has white, gray, and cream backdrops
- Sample review right at the studio before printing
- Same-day printing of 4-6 photos in exact sizes
- Full digital files to online upload standards (DS-160, Korea e-Visa, Australia ETA…)
- Free consultation on country-specific visa requirements
Package price: 590,000 VND for one visa type, 970,000 VND combo for two types (e.g., US visa + Japan visa together).
Contact our hotline (+84) 775 243 530 or visit any of our 3 branches in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Suitable for tourists, students, business travelers, and immigrants.