The background is one of the most common reasons passport photos get bounced — not because people choose the wrong colour, but because the background is uneven, shadowed, or a slightly wrong shade for that country. Here is what each major authority actually asks for in 2026, and how to get a clean background without software editing.
Background colour by country
| Country | Required background |
|---|---|
| United States | Plain white or off-white |
| India | Plain white |
| United Kingdom | Plain light grey or cream |
| Schengen / EU | Light grey (most states) |
| Canada | White or light-coloured, in clear contrast with the face |
| Australia | Plain, light-coloured |
| Germany | Light grey preferred |
The theme: plain, uniform, and light, with enough contrast that your face and hair edges are clearly defined. White is the safest default, but several European authorities specifically prefer light grey.
What "uniform" really means
Authorities reject backgrounds that are the right colour but not uniform. Avoid:
- Shadows cast on the wall behind you — the most common problem. Stand well away from the wall.
- Gradients where one side is brighter than the other.
- Texture, patterns, or objects (picture frames, switches, furniture).
- Colour casts from nearby coloured walls or warm indoor lighting.
How to shoot a clean background at home
- Use a plain white or light-grey wall, or hang a smooth white sheet with no creases.
- Stand at least 0.5–1 metre in front of the wall so your own shadow falls out of frame.
- Light your face evenly from the front — soft daylight from a window is ideal.
- Avoid overhead lights that create shadows under the eyes and behind the head.
Important: you usually cannot change the background with software
Several authorities — including the US, UK, Canada and Australia — prohibit editing passport photos with software or AI, and that includes replacing or "cleaning up" the background. If your background is wrong, retake the photo against a proper surface rather than editing it. Only where an authority explicitly permits it should any background replacement be used.
Prepare your photo
Once you have a genuinely plain, evenly lit background, use GetShot Passport to check the framing and export a correctly sized, print-ready file in your browser. For countries that forbid software edits, the tool only crops and sizes — it never replaces your background.
Sources
- US Department of State — Passport Photos
- GOV.UK — Photo requirements
- Government of Canada — Passport photos
FAQ
Does a US passport photo have to be pure white? It must be plain white or off-white, uniform and shadow-free.
Can I use a grey background for a US photo? The US asks for white or off-white; light grey is the standard in much of Europe. Match your specific country.
Can I change my background to white with an app? Not for authorities that prohibit software editing (US, UK, Canada, Australia and others). Retake the photo against a suitable background instead.