Quick answer
Do Australians need a photo for overseas visas and ETAs?
Often. The UK ETA (£20) and US ESTA (US$40.62) ask for a photo or selfie, and visas for India and Vietnam need a visa photo. Each country sets its own size: US and India photos are square, China (33 × 48 mm) and Vietnam (4 × 6 cm) taller, and many others about 35 × 45 mm.
An Australian passport opens many doors without a visa, but a growing number of destinations ask you to apply online before you travel, and several of those applications need a photo or selfie. You also need a visa photo for India, Vietnam, long stays and study or work visas, or if you live in Australia on another country's passport. Each country sets its own size, so an Australian passport photo cannot always be reused.
Travel authorisations for Australians
These online pre-travel applications apply to Australian passport holders on short trips. Some need a face photo.
| Destination | Authorisation | Photo |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | ETA (£20) | Yes: taken in the app or uploaded |
| United States | ESTA (US$40.62) | Yes: passport page photo and a selfie |
| Indonesia | e-VOA (IDR 500,000) | Yes: recent colour photo |
| New Zealand | NZeTA | Citizens: not needed. Permanent residents: yes |
| South Korea | K-ETA | Australians exempt until 31 Dec 2026 |
| Canada | eTA (air travel, CAD $7) | No photo |
| Schengen (EU) | ETIAS | Not yet operating |
Arrival cards such as Thailand's TDAC, Singapore's SG Arrival Card, Malaysia's MDAC, the Philippines' eTravel and the New Zealand Traveller Declaration are free and do not ask for a photo.
Visa photo sizes compared
| Country | Photo size | Digital / submission | Background | Taken within |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 35 × 45 mm (minimum) | Biometrics at a visa centre | White or light | 6 months |
| China | 33 × 48 mm | Upload to the online visa form | White or near-white | 6 months |
| India | Square, for paper forms | Square JPEG upload | White or light | Recent |
| Indonesia | Not needed | 4 × 6 cm, at least 400 × 600 px | Not stated | 1 year |
| Japan | 45 × 35 mm | eVISA: face photo upload | Plain, white | 6 months |
| New Zealand | 35 × 45 mm (paper only) | 3:4 portrait JPG | Plain, neutral | 6 months |
| Schengen (EU) | 35–40 × 45 mm | Printed biometric photo | White | Recent |
| South Korea | 35 × 45 mm | K-ETA: face photo upload | White | 6 months |
| Thailand | Passport style | e-Visa upload | White | 6 months |
| United Kingdom | Not needed | At least 600 × 750 px | Plain, light-coloured | New photo |
| United States | 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) | 600–1200 px square | White or off-white | 6 months |
| Vietnam | 4 × 6 cm | e-Visa upload | White | Recent |
One photo will not fit every visa
The US and India ask for a square photo, China and Vietnam for taller ones, the UK and New Zealand for digital files with minimum sizes, and many others for roughly 35 × 45 mm. Make a separate photo for each application rather than stretching one image.
How to get the right photo for your trip
- Check what your destination needs. Use the tables above to see whether your trip needs a visa or a travel authorisation such as an ETA, and whether it asks for a photo or selfie.
- Check that country's photo size. Each country sets its own size. The US and India ask for a square photo, China and Vietnam for taller ones, and many others for roughly 35 × 45 mm.
- Make a separate photo for each application. Most countries ask for a photo taken within the last six months, on a plain white background unless the country says otherwise. Crop a new copy for each size rather than stretching one image.
- Apply through official channels. Use official government websites and apps only, and follow the consulate or visa centre's current checklist, which takes priority.
Make your visa photo
Pick your destination to read the full requirements, or go straight to the photo maker, preset to that country's visa size.
Canada
35 × 45 mm (minimum)Visitor visa photo specs, and why the eTA needs no photo.
China
33 × 48 mm33 × 48 mm photo for the Sydney and Melbourne visa centres.
India
SquareThe square e-Visa photo and the new VFS application centres.
Indonesia
4 × 6 cmThe e-VOA photo, arrival card and Bali tourist levy.
Japan
45 × 35 mmVisa photos for residents who are not visa-exempt.
New Zealand
3:4 digitalWho needs an NZeTA, and its 3:4 digital photo rules.
Schengen (EU)
35–40 × 45 mmVisa-free travel, EES, ETIAS and long-stay visa photos.
South Korea
35 × 45 mmThe K-ETA exemption, K-ETA photo and 35 × 45 mm visa photo.
Thailand
JPG ≤ 3 MBThe new 30-day rule, the TDAC and the e-Visa photo.
United Kingdom
600 × 750 pxThe live app photo and upload rules for the £20 UK ETA.
United States
2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm)ESTA selfie rules and the square 2 × 2 inch visa photo.
General visa photo tips
- Check how recent the photo must be: most countries ask for a photo taken within the last six months.
- Use a plain white background unless the country says otherwise.
- Remove glasses where the country asks you to (for example, the US, India and Vietnam), and avoid glare everywhere else.
- Apply only through official government websites and apps. Many look-alike sites charge extra fees.
- Follow the consulate or visa centre's current checklist. Requirements change, and its instructions take priority.
Each country guide lists the official sources it is based on.