Background Color Requirements by Country
| Country | Background Color | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | White | Plain white or off-white |
| United Kingdom | Light grey / cream | NOT pure white |
| European Union (Schengen) | Light grey or white | Varies by country |
| Germany | Light grey | Uniform, no patterns |
| France | Light grey or light blue | Plain and uniform |
| India | White | Plain white preferred |
| Canada | White | Plain white, no shadows |
| Australia | White | Plain white |
| China | White | For passport; visa may need blue |
| Japan | White | Plain white, no patterns |
| South Korea | White | Plain white |
| Indonesia | Red | For passport; blue for visa |
| Thailand | White | Plain white |
| Saudi Arabia | White | Plain white |
| Brazil | White | Plain white |
| Mexico | White | Plain white |
| Nigeria | White | Plain white |
| South Africa | White | Plain white |
| Netherlands | Light grey | Uniform light grey |
| Switzerland | Light grey | Uniform, no patterns |
| Norway | Light grey | Uniform light grey |
Why Background Color Matters
Passport offices use automated systems to verify photos. These systems check background color, uniformity, and contrast against your face. Using the wrong color is one of the top reasons for photo rejection.
How to Get the Right Background
Option 1: Use the Right Wall
Stand in front of a plain wall that matches your country's requirement. For white backgrounds, a clean white wall works. For light grey, a light-colored wall may work.
Option 2: AI Background Removal (Recommended)
The easiest approach: take your photo in front of any background, then use WithSwag's AI background removal to automatically replace it with the exact color your country needs. This guarantees a perfectly uniform background with no shadows.
Tip: WithSwag has preset background colors for all major countries. Just select your country and the correct background is applied automatically.
Common Background Mistakes
- Using white for UK photos — UK requires light grey, not white
- Shadows on the background — Stand 3-4 feet from the wall
- Patterned wallpaper visible — Must be completely plain
- Other people or objects in background — Must be completely empty
- Uneven color — Background must be uniform across the entire photo
Get the Perfect Background Instantly
AI removes any background and replaces it with the exact color your country requires. Takes 10 seconds.
Fix My Background →