Usual colours
| Country | Typical background |
|---|---|
| United States | White or off-white |
| United Kingdom | Plain light grey or cream |
| Canada | Plain white |
| Australia | Plain light colour |
| India | White |
| Pakistan | White |
| China | White |
| Schengen visa | Plain light grey or light colour |
How to get a clean background
Stand a step or two away from a plain light wall so you do not cast a shadow on it. Use even daylight from a window in front of you, and avoid patterned curtains or doors.
Common mistakes
Shadows behind your head, creases in a hanging sheet, a coloured wall, and a background that has been edited so the hair edge looks cut out. Many offices reject edited backgrounds.
Next step
Crop your photo with the passport photo maker and read the general requirements.
Check the official page
Colour rules can differ by document (passport vs visa) and change over time. Confirm on the official site for your application.