Passport Photo Background: What Colour Is Required?
A plain background is one of the most consistent rules across passport and visa photo requirements, but the exact wording differs by country: some ask for pure white, others accept off-white or light grey. Here is the required background for each country on this site.
| Country | Document | Required background |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | visa | Plain |
| Canada | passport | Plain white or light-coloured |
| Canada | visitor visa (TRV) | Plain white or light-coloured |
| China | visa | White or close to white, with no border |
| India | passport | White |
| Malaysia | eVISA | Plain white or blue |
| Saudi Arabia | eVisa | White, no pattern, no shadows |
| Schengen Area | visa | Plain, bright single colour, ideally neutral grey |
| Singapore | visa | White |
| Türkiye (Turkey) | visa | Plain white |
| United Kingdom | passport | Plain cream or light grey (printed); plain light-coloured (digital) |
| United Kingdom | visa | Plain light-coloured, in clear contrast to you |
| United States | passport | Plain white or off-white |
| United States | visa | Plain white or off-white |
Getting a plain background without a studio
- Stand at least an arm's length from a plain wall so your shadow does not fall on it.
- Use soft, even light from in front of you (a window works well) rather than a single harsh light or flash, which creates shadows on the wall.
- If you cannot find a suitably plain wall, our photo tool can replace the background automatically on pages where the official source allows an edited background — look for the "Replace background" option when you use the tool.
Frequently asked questions
What background colour does a passport photo need?
Nearly every country asks for a plain, light, single-colour background with no pattern, texture or shadow. The exact wording — white, off-white, light grey, or simply "plain" — varies by country; see the table above for each one.
Can I use a coloured wall or a patterned background?
No. Every country on this site requires a plain, unpatterned background. A textured wall, wallpaper, or a background with visible objects or shadows is a common reason for rejection.
Does the background need to be pure white?
Not always — several countries accept off-white or light grey as well as white. Check your country's exact wording above, since a background that is technically plain but the wrong shade can still be rejected by a strict reviewer.
PhotoID Ready is independent and not affiliated with any government agency. Whether a photo is accepted is always decided by the issuing authority. Rules change, so always check the official source linked on each country's page before you apply.