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Japan Visa Photo: 45x45 mm Size and Rules

The Japan visa photo is 45x45 mm (1.77 x 1.77 in) on a white background, taken within 6 months and without a hat. Some missions ask for 45x35 mm or 2x2 in, so check with your local embassy.

  • 35×45 mm
  • White
  • Rules checked October 5, 2026
  1. Document
  2. Photo
  3. Check
  4. Download

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35×45 mm · background: white

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  • Face the camera, keep your head straight and your mouth closed.
  • Stand about 1 m from a plain wall in soft, even light. No shadows on the face.
  • Ask someone else to take it from eye level. Shoulders should be visible.
  • Remove glasses, hats and hair from the face. Religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.
  • For a baby, lay them on a plain white sheet and photograph from straight above.

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Fit your face inside the oval. Better: ask someone to take the photo with the back camera.

Japan Visa photo requirements

Official rules summarised. Source: Consulate-General of Japan in Denver; MOFA visa form (45x35 mm box); Consulate-General in Mumbai. Official page

Photo size
35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in)
Resolution
300 DPI
Head height (chin to crown)
32–36 mm
Background
White
Glasses
Not allowed
Expression
Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Head covering
Only for religious reasons, face fully visible
Printed copies
1
Submission
Printed photo

Size varies by mission: the MOFA visa application form photo box is 45x35 mm (h x w) and most missions use 35x45 mm, but some (e.g. Mumbai, Islamabad) require 45x45 mm and US missions also accept 2x2 in. Head top-to-chin 32-36 mm, white background, taken within 6 months, no hat.

Correct and incorrect examples

  • CorrectCentred, neutral, even light

  • Too closeHead fills the frame

  • Head tiltedKeep your head level

  • ShadowsLight from one side

  • GlassesReflections hide the eyes

  • SmilingMouth must be closed

  • Hair over the eyesEyes and eyebrows must be visible

  • Busy backgroundUse a plain, light wall

Japan visa photo rules in plain words

The Embassy of Japan photograph standards list a printed photo of 45x45 mm (1.77 x 1.77 in). That is the size of the box on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) visa form. The background must be white only; dark or patterned backgrounds are rejected.

  • Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months.
  • Glasses: not allowed.
  • Head covering: no hat; religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.
  • Head size: not specified officially.

Some missions ask for a different size, such as 45x35 mm or 2x2 in. The 45x45 mm size is the standard form box, so confirm the size with the embassy or consulate that handles your application.

How to take the photo at home with a phone

Stand in front of a plain white wall, keeping a short distance from it so your head does not cast a shadow. Light your face from the front with window light. Hold the phone at eye height, look straight at the lens and keep a neutral expression with both eyes open.

  • Take off your glasses and any hat or cap.
  • Keep the whole head, including the hair, inside the frame.
  • Take several shots and choose the sharpest one.

IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser without uploading it, crops it to the square format, replaces the background with white and checks the framing.

Common reasons for rejection

  • Dark or patterned background. Only white is accepted.
  • Wrong size for the mission. A photo cut to 45x45 mm may not suit a mission that asks for 45x35 mm or 2x2 in.
  • Old photo. It must be taken within 6 months.
  • Hat or glasses. Neither is accepted.
  • Print quality. A blurry or low-resolution print makes the face hard to verify.

Printing the photo

The Japan visa photo is submitted as a printed photo. Download the file and print it at 300 DPI at the exact size your embassy requires, then attach it to the visa application form. If you are unsure about the size, ask the embassy before printing.

Payment is one-time, and you receive a full refund if an authority rejects the photo.

Tips for a clean result

Because the rules do not state a head-size range, aim for a balanced passport-style framing with your face centred and your shoulders level. A white background needs to be genuinely even, so avoid creases or folds in the sheet or wall behind you, and keep the light soft rather than harsh.

  • Check the embassy page for your country of residence before printing, since some missions use a different size.
  • Print on proper photo paper rather than plain office paper.
  • Keep a spare print in case the form needs to be resubmitted.

Helpful guides

All guides

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Japan visa photo?

The standard size is 45x45 mm (1.77 x 1.77 in), which is the MOFA visa form box. Some missions ask for 45x35 mm or 2x2 in.

What background colour is allowed?

Only a white background is accepted. Dark or patterned backgrounds are rejected.

Can I wear glasses or a hat?

No glasses are allowed and hats are not accepted. Religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.

How recent should the photo be?

The photo should be taken within the last 6 months.

Is a digital file accepted?

The photo is submitted as a printed photo, so you print the file at 300 DPI at the size your embassy asks for.

Related photo requirements

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Page updated October 5, 2026. Requirements can change. Always check the official page before you apply.