What Background Color Does a Passport Photo Need?
It depends on the country. The US, India and Canada require a plain white or off-white background. The UK requires a light grey or cream background, not pure white. Schengen visas want a uniform light (usually grey) background, and an India OCI photo needs a plain light-coloured background rather than white.
Last updated 2026-06-10
Background color by country and document
| Document | Required background |
|---|---|
| US passport / visa / green card / DV lottery | Plain white or off-white |
| UK passport / visa | Plain light grey or cream (not white) |
| India passport | Plain white |
| India OCI card | Plain light-coloured (not pure white) |
| India e-Visa | Plain light or white |
| Canada passport | Plain white |
| Schengen / EU visa | Uniform light, commonly light grey |
| Ireland passport | Plain light grey, white or cream |
Why the background has to be plain
A plain, evenly lit background with no shadows lets the authority see the outline of your head clearly and stops anything in the scene from interfering with face matching. Patterns, objects, other people and shadows on the wall behind you are all rejection reasons.
The UK is the common mistake
Many people submit a white background for a UK passport because white is what other countries use. The UK specifically requires a plain light grey or cream background. A pure-white UK photo can be rejected for the wrong background.
Frequently asked questions
Does a UK passport photo need a white background?
No. The UK requires a plain light grey or cream background. A pure-white background is a common reason UK passport photos are rejected.
Can a US passport photo background be off-white?
Yes. The US Department of State accepts a plain white or off-white background, as long as it is free of shadows, textures and objects.
What background does an India OCI photo need?
The official OCI specification asks for a plain light-coloured background, not pure white — this is different from the white background used for an Indian passport.