Japanese Visa Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Country guide · 🇯🇵 Japan · Last verified: February 2026

Japanese visa photos use a 35×45 mm format with a plain white background. Most importantly: many nationalities no longer need a visa for Japan — the country reinstated and expanded visa-free access for 60+ countries. This guide covers who needs a visa, what photos are required, and how the e-Visa digital upload works.

Quick facts


Size	35×45 mm
Background	Plain white
Head height	32–36 mm (chin to crown)
Photos required	1 (confirm with consulate)
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Conditionally allowed
Digital (e-Visa)	JPEG/PNG/GIF/BMP/HEIC, max 2 MB
Source	mofa.go.jp

Do you need a Japanese visa?

US citizens: No — US citizens can visit Japan for up to 90 days without a visa (visa-free treaty).

UK, EU, Canada, Australia citizens: No visa required for short stays (up to 90 days in most cases).

Visa required: Many nationalities from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, and parts of Latin America and the Middle East require a visa. Check at the Japanese embassy or consulate for your country.

Working holiday visa: Available for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Ireland, Denmark, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Norway, Portugal, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary, Spain, Argentina, and Chile (and others) — this requires a visa with photos.

Photo specifications

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall
Head height: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
Top margin: 2–6 mm above hair
Face coverage: 70–80% of photo
Both ears visible where possible

Background

Plain white. Uniform, shadow-free. No patterns or objects. Avoid white clothing.

Expression and appearance

Expression: strictly neutral, mouth closed. No smiling.
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera
Head position: straight, no tilt or rotation
Glasses: allowed if both eyes are fully visible, no glare, no tinted lenses. Japan is more permissive on glasses than the US or EU — but in practice, removing glasses is safer as biometric checks frequently flag them.
Head coverings: only for religious reasons. Full face visible.

Quality

Full colour only
Sharp, no blur
Matte or glossy professional photo paper
No digital retouching or alterations

e-Visa digital photo requirements

Japan's e-Visa system (evisa.mofa.go.jp) accepts digital photos:

Format: JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, or HEIC
File size: maximum 2 MB (smaller is better — 240 KB recommended)
Background: plain white
Same face and head requirements apply
No editing of any kind

e-Visa availability: Currently available for tourists and business visitors from 60+ countries. Growing list — check evisa.mofa.go.jp for your nationality.

How many photos are required?

Japanese visa applications typically require 1 photo — unlike most countries that require 2. However, this varies by consulate and visa type. Confirm with your specific Japanese consulate.

Visa size vs Japanese passport size

Both use 35×45 mm — same format. Japanese nationals and foreign visa applicants use the same photo dimensions.

For US-based applicants, photo labs are familiar with this format. Specify "European passport photo" or "35×45 mm." Do not use the US 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) format.

Japanese consulates in the US

Consulate	Jurisdiction
Embassy (Washington DC)	DC, MD, VA, WV
Los Angeles	Southern CA, AZ, CO, NV, NM, UT, HI, Guam
San Francisco	Northern CA, OR, WA, AK, ID, MT
New York	NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE
Chicago	IL, IN, OH, MI, MN, WI, IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD
Houston	TX, OK, AR, LA, MS, AL, GA, TN
Boston	MA, RI, NH, VT, ME
Nashville	KY, WV, NC, SC
Atlanta	FL, GA, SC, NC

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Japanese visa photo?

35×45 mm. Head height 32–36 mm from chin to crown. One photo typically required.

Do US citizens need a visa for Japan?

No — US citizens can visit Japan for up to 90 days without a visa. No photo needed for tourist entry.

Can I wear glasses in a Japanese visa photo?

Yes, conditionally — both eyes must be fully visible, no glare, clear lenses. However, removing glasses is safer to avoid biometric check failures.

What are the e-Visa photo requirements?

JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, or HEIC format. Maximum 2 MB. White background. Same face requirements as printed photos.

Is a Japanese visa photo the same size as a US passport photo?

No. Japan uses 35×45 mm. The US uses 51×51 mm (2×2 inches). Specify 35×45 mm.