UK Visa Photo from Indonesia (35×45mm Standard Visitor)
Updated May 2026 · For Indonesian applicants · UK Standard Visitor visa (not ETA)
⚠ Red Indonesian background fails UK visa
Indonesian visa/ID convention often uses RED background. UK requires cream or light grey. Red is rejected outright at VFS Global UK appointment.
UK Standard Visitor visa photos are 35×45 mm with plain cream or light grey background, per HM Passport Office. For Indonesian applicants the background convention differs — Indonesian visa/ID photos commonly use red. Same UK spec at VFS Global centres in Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, and Medan.
Spec at a glance
| Size | 35 × 45 mm |
| Background | Cream or light grey (NOT red) |
| Face height | 29-34 mm (70-80%) |
| Glasses | Not allowed (banned 2018) |
| Photo age | Last 6 months |
VFS Global UK visa centres in Indonesia
- Jakarta — main centre, capital and central Java
- Bali / Denpasar — Bali and eastern Indonesia
- Surabaya — East Java region
- Medan — Sumatra region
Where to get the photo in Indonesia
- VFS Global on-site photo service (IDR 100,000-200,000). Knows UK cream/grey spec.
- Local studio (IDR 40,000-100,000). Specify "UK visa 35×45 mm, cream or light grey background (NOT red or white)". Indonesian studios default to red.
- Free online tool at home (IDR 0). IDPhotoSnap UK tool.
Common rejection reasons
- Red background — Indonesian default fails UK.
- White instead of cream/grey — UK unique.
- Glasses worn — banned 2018.
- Photo too old — last 6 months.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the UK visa photo size for Indonesian applicants?
UK Standard Visitor visa photos are 35×45 mm with plain cream or light grey background. Different from Indonesian visa/ID convention (often red background). Format applies at VFS Global UK visa centres in Jakarta, Bali (Denpasar), Surabaya, and Medan.
Do I need a UK ETA or Standard Visitor visa as an Indonesian citizen?
Indonesian citizens need a full Standard Visitor visa, NOT an ETA. The UK ETA (GBP 20) is for ~85 visa-exempt nationalities. Indonesia is on the visa-required list — full visa application with VFS Global biometric appointment, GBP 115 fee, ~3 weeks processing.
Why does Indonesian red-background photo fail UK visa?
Indonesian visa, ID (e-KTP), and some immigration documents commonly use a RED background. UK Standard Visitor visa requires plain cream or light grey background ONLY. Red is rejected outright at VFS Global UK appointment. Always get a separate UK-specific photo с correct background.
Where are VFS Global UK visa centres in Indonesia?
VFS Global operates UK visa application centres in four Indonesian cities: Jakarta (main centre), Bali / Denpasar, Surabaya, and Medan. All accept the same 35×45 mm UK Standard Visitor visa photo spec.
Where can I get a UK visa photo in Indonesia?
Three options: (1) VFS Global on-site photo service in Jakarta, Bali, Surabaya, or Medan (IDR 100,000-200,000). Photographer knows UK 35×45 mm cream/grey spec. (2) Local studio at IDR 40,000-100,000 — specify "UK visa 35×45 mm, cream OR light grey background (NOT red or white)". Indonesian studios default to red or white. (3) Free online tool at home — IDPhotoSnap.
Can I wear glasses в a UK visa photo?
No. HM Passport Office banned glasses in UK biometric photos since 2018. Religious head covering is permitted if facial features (chin to forehead, both sides of face) are clearly visible.
How many photos do I need at the VFS Global UK appointment в Indonesia?
UK Standard Visitor visa typically requires 1-2 photos at the VFS Global biometric appointment plus a digital upload during online application. Our print-ready PDF lays out 6 photos per A4 sheet.
What is the UK visa fee from Indonesia в 2026?
UK Standard Visitor visa: GBP 115 for 6-month single-entry, GBP 432 for 2-year multi-entry. VFS Global service fee ~IDR 200,000-500,000. Decision typically 3 weeks.
Free UK Standard Visitor visa photo tool
35×45 mm UK-compliant photo with cream or light grey background + print-ready PDF.
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About the Author
Elena Dev, Founder of IDPhotoSnap
Elena Dev is the sole operator of IDPhotoSnap. Her work involves auditing the official photo specifications of 100+ countries against issuing-authority sources (embassies, government portals, ICAO 9303) and translating those rules into a browser-only tool that runs entirely on the user's device. The full 276-format specification dataset is published as MIT open data on GitHub. Source verification methodology and corrections policy are documented on the editorial standards page. Every article is written and reviewed by Elena Dev. Corrections: elena@idphotosnap.com.
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