UK Visa Photo from Vietnam (35×45mm Standard Visitor)
Updated May 2026 · For Vietnamese applicants · UK Standard Visitor visa (not ETA)
⚠ Different size AND background from Vietnamese passport
Vietnamese passport: 40×60 mm white. UK visa: 35×45 mm cream or light grey. Both dimensions and background differ.
UK Standard Visitor visa photos are 35×45 mm с plain cream or light grey background, per HM Passport Office. For Vietnamese applicants the format is smaller than the Vietnamese passport (40×60 mm). Same spec at VFS Global UK centres in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
Spec at a glance
| Size | 35 × 45 mm (NOT 40×60 Vietnamese passport) |
| Background | Cream or light grey (UK unique) |
| Face height | 29-34 mm (70-80%) |
| Glasses | Not allowed (banned 2018) |
| Photo age | Last 6 months |
VFS Global UK visa centres in Vietnam
- Hanoi — main centre, northern Vietnam, capital region
- Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) — southern Vietnam, Mekong Delta
- Da Nang — central Vietnam
Where to get the photo in Vietnam
- VFS Global on-site photo service (VND 200,000-400,000). Knows UK 35×45 mm cream/grey spec.
- Local studio (VND 80,000-200,000). Specify "UK visa 35×45 mm, cream or light grey background". Vietnamese studios default to 40×60 mm white.
- Free online tool at home (VND 0). IDPhotoSnap UK tool.
Common rejection reasons
- Wrong size (40×60 mm Vietnamese passport) — most common.
- White instead of cream/grey — UK unique.
- Glasses worn — banned 2018.
- Photo too old — last 6 months.
Related guides
Planning a trip? Don't forget travel insurance
Planning a trip? Travel insurance covers medical emergencies, evacuation and trip interruption abroad. SafetyWing - from $42/month, works in 180+ countries.
Get travel insurance →Affiliate link - we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Partner: SafetyWing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK visa photo size для Vietnamese applicants?
UK Standard Visitor visa photos are 35×45 mm with plain cream or light grey background. Different from Vietnamese passport (40×60 mm white). Format applies at VFS Global UK visa centres in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.
Do I need a UK ETA or Standard Visitor visa as a Vietnamese citizen?
Vietnamese citizens need a full Standard Visitor visa, NOT an ETA. The UK ETA (GBP 20) is для ~85 visa-exempt nationalities. Vietnam is on the visa-required list — full visa application with VFS Global biometric appointment, GBP 115 fee, ~3 weeks processing.
How is the UK visa photo different from a Vietnamese passport photo?
Vietnamese passport photos are 40×60 mm with white background. UK Standard Visitor visa is 35×45 mm with cream OR light grey background (unique among most countries). Both size and background differ.
Where are VFS Global UK visa centres in Vietnam?
VFS Global operates UK visa application centres in three Vietnamese cities: Hanoi (main centre, northern Vietnam), Ho Chi Minh City (southern Vietnam and Mekong Delta), and Da Nang (central Vietnam). All accept the same 35×45 mm UK Standard Visitor visa photo spec.
Where can I get a UK visa photo in Vietnam?
Three options: (1) VFS Global on-site photo service в Hanoi, HCMC, or Da Nang (VND 200,000-400,000). Photographer knows UK 35×45 mm cream/grey spec. (2) Local studio at VND 80,000-200,000 — specify "UK visa 35×45 mm, cream or light grey background, no glasses". Vietnamese studios default to 40×60 mm white. (3) Free online tool at home.
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 in Vietnam?
UK Standard Visitor visa typically requires 1-2 photos at the VFS Global biometric appointment plus a digital upload during the online application.
What is the UK visa fee from Vietnam в 2026?
UK Standard Visitor visa: GBP 115 for 6-month single-entry, GBP 432 for 2-year multi-entry. VFS Global service fee ~VND 1,200,000-3,000,000. 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.
Open UK visa photo tool →Related guides
UK ETA: Do You Need a New Passport Photo? (2026 Guide)
The UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is mandatory for most visa-exempt visitors. What needs a photo, what does not, and how.
UK ETA 2026: Full Enforcement, GBP 20 Fee, 84 Countries
UK ETA enforced from 25 Feb 2026 for 84+ countries. Fee raised to GBP 20 on 8 April. What changed for US, EU, Australia, India.
Why Was My Passport Photo Rejected? Top 10 Reasons (2026)
Most passport photo rejections come down to 10 specific issues. Each one is fixable in 2 minutes. Here's the full diagnostic checklist with examples.
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.
Found this useful? Public reviews are how new readers discover IDPhotoSnap. Leave a quick Trustpilot review →