Passport, visa and ID photos · Japan
Japan visa photo size: check yours
Check your Japan visa photo against the official rules before you send it. We never change it. Official size: 35 x 45 mm. Background: plain; most posts say white (Mumbai, Denver, Malaysia: white; Chicago: white or off-white; Houston: white or blue; Azerbaijan: plain colour-neutral, not necessarily white). Rules read on mofa.go.jp on 4 November 2026.
- Choose the photo file you were given
- We check it against the official rules, without changing it
- If it passes, send that same file
Free check. Nothing to buy: the rules don't allow us to change your photo.
Your photo stays on your device: nothing is uploaded, and no face is recognised.
What a passing photo needs
- Stand a step in front of a plain white wall, with nothing behind you.
- Face a window or soft light: even light on the face, no shadows on it or behind.
- Phone at eye level, about 1.5 m away: ask someone, or hold it at arm's length.
- Take your glasses off.
Check your photo
The first photo loads the face finder and the background outline from this site, about 15 MB, once.
Adjust the top-of-head line
See every measurement
| Check | Measured | Result |
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If your photo passes, send the same file you checked here, unchanged.
The face finder and the background outline run in this page from files served by this site (sources and licences). They find where a face is in the photo; they never recognise who it is.
Meets the published spec as checked on 4 November 2026. WinPhoto is not affiliated with any government.
This page only checks your photo: it never crops, edits or re-saves it.
Japan's visa application form asks for a 45 x 35 mm photo, but each Japanese embassy or consulate sets its own photo rules and they differ: US consulates also take 2 x 2 in, Mumbai wants 45 x 45 mm, and several posts refuse edited photos (filters, Photoshop, photo apps) or selfies. So this page checks your photo as it is and never changes it: read the photo rules of the mission where you apply.
The rules at a glance
For the Japan visa application photo (paper form at an embassy, consulate or accredited agency), as the official rules state them.
- Size
- 35 x 45 mm
- Background
- Plain; most posts say white (Mumbai, Denver, Malaysia: white; Chicago: white or off-white; Houston: white or blue; Azerbaijan: plain colour-neutral, not necessarily white).
- Head size
- 71% to 80% of the photo's height, chin to top of head
- Glasses
- Not allowed
- Taken
- In the last 6 months
- Edits
- None: this page only checks your photo, it never changes it. The official rules say: “Do not use filters commonly used on social media.”
All the official rules and sources
- MOFA form: 45 mm high x 35 mm wide, or 2 x 1.4 in; US consulates (New York, Denver, Chicago, Houston, San Francisco) also accept 2 x 2 in
- Embassy in Mumbai: 45 x 45 mm only; Embassy in Belgium: 45 x 45 mm or 45 x 35 mm
- head (top of head to chin) 32-36 mm (Denver); head more than 30 mm or 70% of the height (Oman)
- glasses: removed at Chicago, Houston and San Francisco; other posts do not say, so no glasses passes everywhere
- no filters, Photoshop or photo apps that alter the face (Malaysia, Chicago, San Francisco); photo unedited (Malaysia)
- someone else takes the photo, no selfies (Chicago, Houston)
- printed on photo paper (glossy or matte; Oman: glossy); no plain copy paper or home printer (Denver, Houston)
- full face, front-facing, head straight, head and top of shoulders shown; no shadows or objects in the background
- photo glued to the form, not stapled or taped (several posts)
For: paper visa application form (MOFA form) submitted at a Japanese embassy, consulate-general, accredited agency or Japan Visa Application Centre, photo pasted on the form.
Official source: www.mofa.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
(Paste photo here) 45mm ×35mm or 2in x 1.4in
Official source: www.mofa.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
Requirements for visa application may vary depending on the local situation/the purpose of your visit. You can find detailed information on the website of the Diplomatic Mission of Japan (Embassy, Consulate-General, or Consular Office) where you will submit your application.
Official source: www.ksa.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
Photo has to be taken within the last 6 months, size of 45mm x 35mm, plain background.
Official source: www.oman.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
(2) One 45mm×35mm photo on glossy paper with plain background.
Must be taken within the last 6 months
Head size must exceed 30mm or 70% of the total height of picture
Official source: www.denver.us.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
One photo, taken within the past six months.
Size: 35mm x 45mm (width x height) OR U.S. passport photo size (2in x 2in).
The area from the top of the head to the chin must be no less than 32 mm, and no more than 36 mm high.
Plain white background with no shadows, patterns or objects visible.
Photo paper (glossy or matte). Regular thin copy paper is not accepted.
Official source: www.ny.us.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
A.12 The photo size is specified as 2in x 1.4in. However, a 2in x 2in standard US passport-sized photo is acceptable.
Official source: www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
2x2 inch or 2x1.4 inch, color photo, taken in last 6 months.
Do not use filters commonly used on social media. Have someone else take your photo. No selfies. Take off your eyeglasses for your photo.
Use a white or off-white background without shadows, texture, or lines.
Official source: www.houston.us.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
ONE PASSPORT SIZE PHOTOGRAPH (2x2 inch or 2x1.4 inch)
White or Blue Background
No glasses / No fashion accessories.
Printed photos on regular paper or from a home printer will NOT be accepted.
Official source: www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
Do not use photo apps that may alter your facial image
Using a plain background, facing forward, and showing full face, head and top of shoulders (no glasses)
Official source: www.mumbai.in.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
The photo should be in color, but must have only a white background. Photos with dark, busy, or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted.
45 millimeters × 45 millimeters size（There is no edge）
Photographed within six months before application
Official source: www.be.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
Accepted sizes : (45mm X 45mm) or (45mm X 35mm)
photographs that do not fall within the conditions above will be refused.
Official source: www.my.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
One 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm color photo with white background taken within 6 months, glued on the visa application form
The photograph must be full faced, front-facing with head straight, unedited, sharp with white background (no shadow or object shown in background)
Do not use photo enhancement tools such as filter or photoshop
Official source: www.az.emb-japan.go.jp, checked on 4 November 2026.
The background should be plain, and while it may not be white, it must be color-neutral (no textured backgrounds).
The photo size should be 4.5 x 3.5 cm.
Hats are not allowed, except for head coverings worn for religious purposes, provided the facial features are clearly visible.
Meets the published spec as checked on 4 November 2026. WinPhoto is not affiliated with any government. Rules change: check the official page before you apply.
How to use it
- Use the original photo file, as the photographer or the camera gave it.
- Choose it here. The page finds your face and checks the photo without changing it.
- Move Top of head if the dashed line is not at the top of your head.
- Fix what the page lists, and tick what only you can confirm.
- If it passes, send that same file, unchanged.
Questions
- What size is the Japan visa photo?
- Printed, 35 x 45 mm. The head takes 71% to 80% of the photo's height, from the chin to the top of the head. These are the official rules as checked on 4 November 2026.
- What background does the Japan visa photo need?
- Plain; most posts say white (Mumbai, Denver, Malaysia: white; Chicago: white or off-white; Houston: white or blue; Azerbaijan: plain colour-neutral, not necessarily white).
- Can I wear glasses in my Japan visa photo?
- No: the official rules do not allow glasses in the photo. If you cannot take them off, see the official page.
- Can I wear a head covering in my Japan visa photo?
- No hats (Mumbai); religious head coverings only with the facial features clearly visible (Azerbaijan).
- How recent must my Japan visa photo be?
- Taken in the last 6 months. These are the official rules as checked on 4 November 2026.
- Is my photo uploaded?
- No. The photo is read and checked in your browser. The page tells our server only that a photo was checked, that it passed, or that a file was saved; never the photo, your face or any measurement. It finds where your face is in the photo; it never recognises who you are.
- How is the head measured?
- The page finds your chin and eyes in the photo and estimates the top of your head from your forehead, since hair hides it: the dashed line shows the estimate. If it is not at the top of your head, move it with Top of head and the checks follow.
- Will my photo be accepted?
- Only the issuing authority decides. A photo that passes every check here meets the published size, head and background rules as checked on 4 November 2026; you confirm the rest, such as glasses, expression and how recent the photo is.
- Why can't I save a new file here?
- This page only checks your photo: it never crops, edits or re-saves it. Japan's visa application form asks for a 45 x 35 mm photo, but each Japanese embassy or consulate sets its own photo rules and they differ: US consulates also take 2 x 2 in, Mumbai wants 45 x 45 mm, and several posts refuse edited photos (filters, Photoshop, photo apps) or selfies. So this page checks your photo as it is and never changes it: read the photo rules of the mission where you apply.