UK Passport Photo Requirements
HMPO enforces strict rules on passport photos and a non-compliant image will delay your application. The core requirements are summarised in the table below.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Print size | 35 x 45 mm |
| Digital size (online applications) | 600 x 750 px, between 50 KB and 10 MB |
| Background | Plain white or very light grey, no patterns or shadows |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes fully open |
| Head position | Straight, facing the camera directly, not tilted |
| Head size in frame | Must fill 70 to 80 percent of the image height |
| Recency | Taken within the last month |
| Glasses | Not permitted under any circumstances since 2018 |
| Headwear | Not permitted except for confirmed religious reasons |
| Print quality | Sharp, colour, unaltered, no red-eye, shadows or reflections |
Online passport applications cost £9.50 less than a paper application and require either a digital photo code (issued by most modern booths and online services) or a digital image to upload directly. Most Dundee residents now apply online, so when choosing where to get your photo, it is worth confirming that the provider can supply a digital code as well as prints.
I&N Photo – Dundee's Independent Photography Studio on Crichton Street
For a guaranteed, professionally composed passport photo in Dundee city centre, I&N Photo on Crichton Street is the standout choice. This is a family business with close to 40 years of experience and it is, as the studio proudly states, the only independent photography lab in Dundee. Unlike a self-service booth, every photo here is taken by a real photographer using proper flash lighting equipment – not an automated camera trying to self-calibrate in a shopping centre.
I&N Photo specialises in passport and visa photos for more than 50 countries, covering not only the standard UK format but also US passport and visa requirements, Canadian passport and immigration photos, Indian passports and OCI/PIO cards, Australian, Hong Kong, Polish, Irish and many more. This makes it particularly valuable for Dundee's international student community at the University of Dundee and Abertay University, as well as for residents applying to embassies. The studio is recommended by the local Post Office, DVLA and various embassies and consulates, and is also noted for its graduation photography for Abertay and Dundee universities. No appointment is required for passport photos, which are ready within minutes of your visit.
- 4 Crichton Street, Dundee, DD1 3AJ
- Tel: 01382 226407
- Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:30pm; Sat 9:00am–5:00pm; closed Sunday
- Located in Dundee city centre, close to the Caird Hall and Dundee railway station
- Services: UK passport photos (physical prints, digital and HMPO code), international passport and visa photos for 50+ countries, driving licence photos, student and staff ID cards, Blue Badge, Young Scot Card, baby photos, film development, video transfer
- No appointment required for passport photos
- Price: from approximately £10–£12 per set
Tesco Extra Stores – Max Spielmann Booths
Both of Dundee's Tesco Extra stores carry Max Spielmann passport photo booths, making them convenient options if you happen to be doing your grocery shop at the same time. Max Spielmann booths produce four printed passport photos, a digital copy and an HMPO photo code for online applications, all in one session at the machine. The booth walks you through each step on screen and allows up to ten retakes before you commit to a print.
Tesco Kingsway Extra
- Kingsway, Dundee, DD3 8QB
- Tel: 0345 677 9790
- Opening hours: Daily 6:00am–midnight (Max Spielmann booth and Timpson also in store)
- Services: Max Spielmann passport photo booth (self-service), Max Photo Shop (staffed), Timpson passport photos
- Price: £12.99 for 4 prints + digital code at the booth
Tesco Riverside Extra
- Riverside Drive, Dundee, DD2 1UG
- Tel: 0345 677 9229
- Opening hours: Daily 6:00am–midnight
- Services: Max Spielmann passport photo booth (self-service)
- Price: £12.99 for 4 prints + digital code at the booth
Morrisons Dundee – Afton Way
Morrisons at Afton Way in the east of the city is a large superstore with a confirmed photo booth on site, as well as a Timpson concession for additional passport photo services. It is a convenient stop for residents in the Craigie, Stobswell and Douglas areas of Dundee, particularly given its generous free car park.
- 1 Afton Way, Dundee, DD4 8BR
- Tel: 01382 457611
- Opening hours: Mon–Sat 7:00am–10:00pm; Sun 8:00am–8:00pm
- Services: Photo booth, Timpson passport photos
- Price: Photo booth typically £8–£12; Timpson from £12.99
Asda Dundee Milton
Asda's large Milton superstore on the south side of the city has a Max Spielmann photo booth confirmed on site. With 24-hour opening it is one of the most accessible options in Dundee for anyone who needs photos outside normal business hours.
- Milton of Craigie Road South, Dundee, DD4 7RX
- Tel: 01382 503703
- Opening hours: Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Services: Max Spielmann passport photo booth (self-service), Timpson
- Price: Max Spielmann booth from £12.99; Timpson from £12.99
Boots – Photo Kiosk Printing
Boots no longer operates standalone photo booths in any of its UK stores, but its three Dundee branches all have CEWE Photostation kiosks that can print a 6x4 inch (10x15 cm) photo template prepared in advance at home or via an online service. If you use a compliant passport photo tool to prepare your template, this is the most cost-effective way to get printed photos in the city.
- 49–53 High Street, Dundee, DD1 1UL
- Tel: 01382 221756
- Opening hours: Mon–Wed, Fri–Sat 8:30am–6:00pm; Thu 8:30am–7:30pm; Sun 10:30am–5:00pm
- Services: CEWE Photostation kiosk (print a prepared 6x4 template), Passport Instant Photo Booth, photo gifts
- Note: This branch is one of the larger Boots stores in Dundee and also has a passport photo booth service at the pharmacy counter
- 221 Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee, DD5 2AG
- Services: CEWE Photostation kiosk
- Unit 2a, Kingsway West Retail Park, Dundee, DD3 8RX
- Services: CEWE Photostation kiosk
Timpson in Dundee
Timpson branches provide a quick, staffed passport photo service at several convenient Dundee locations. Staff take the photo and check it meets HMPO requirements before you leave, and include a digital photo code. Timpson also offers a free retake if your photo is subsequently rejected by the Passport Office.
- Dundee High Street – 70 High Street, Dundee (city centre)
- Dundee Tesco Kingsway – within Tesco Kingsway Extra, DD3 8QB
- Dundee Morrisons – within Morrisons Afton Way, DD4 8BR
- Milton Dundee Asda – within Asda Milton, DD4 7RX
- Broughty Ferry – Timpson within selected Broughty Ferry retail
Dundee Train Station Photo Booth
Dundee railway station has a self-service photo booth on the concourse – useful if you are travelling and need photos urgently. The station is served by ScotRail trains connecting Dundee to Edinburgh (approximately 1 hour 20 minutes), Aberdeen (1 hour 10 minutes), Glasgow (1 hour 30 minutes) and Perth (20 minutes), making it a natural stop for those arriving from outwith the city.
- South Union Street, Dundee, DD1 4BY
- Available during station opening hours
- Self-service booth, cash and card payment
Comparing Your Options in Dundee
| Provider | Type | Approx. Price | Digital Code | Baby/Child |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I&N Photo (Crichton St) | Professional studio | ~£10–£12 | Yes | Yes |
| Tesco Kingsway / Riverside (Max Spielmann booth) | Self-service booth | £12.99 | Yes | Not at booth |
| Morrisons Afton Way (booth) | Self-service booth | ~£8–£12 | Yes | No |
| Asda Milton (Max Spielmann booth) | Self-service booth | £12.99 | Yes | Not at booth |
| Timpson (multiple sites) | Staffed service | £12.99 | Yes | Yes |
| Boots kiosk (print only) | Print your own template | ~27–55p/sheet | No (bring your own) | Yes |
| Dundee Station booth | Self-service booth | ~£6–£10 | Yes | No |
Tips for Getting a Good Passport Photo in Dundee
Wear plain, dark clothing. The white or light grey background required for UK passport photos means that a light-coloured top can blend in. A plain dark top creates a clear contrast and produces a crisper, more professional result.
Avoid glasses. HMPO has banned glasses in passport photos since 2018. Even prescription glasses must be removed for the photo, so save yourself time by taking them off before you go to the booth or studio.
Babies and small children need a studio. Self-service booths are not designed for babies or toddlers. If you need a passport photo for a young child, I&N Photo on Crichton Street or Timpson branches are equipped to help. Both are patient and experienced with young children.
International documents need specialist help. If your photo is for a non-UK passport – such as an Indian, Canadian, US or Australian document – visit I&N Photo on Crichton Street. They have handled every major international photo format and know the specific size, background colour and orientation requirements for each country. Supermarket booths are designed for UK formats only.
Check if you need a digital code. All online UK passport applications require a digital photo code or a digital image. Supermarket booths, Timpson and I&N Photo all provide one. Boots kiosk printing does not issue a code – it is a print-only service and requires you to have an existing compliant digital file.
About Dundee
Dundee sits at the heart of Tayside, surrounded by the Highland foothills to the north and the Tay estuary to the south. The city has strong university links – with the University of Dundee and Abertay University together enrolling over 20,000 students – and a growing life sciences, games development and technology sector that attracts skilled workers from across the world. Its waterfront, anchored by the V&A Dundee museum (the first Victoria and Albert museum outside London) and the restored RRS Discovery, has become one of Scotland's most visited cultural destinations.
Dundee is well served by rail, with direct ScotRail services north to Aberdeen and south to Edinburgh, Glasgow and the central belt. The A90 dual carriageway connects the city to Perth, Aberdeen and the Highlands. For residents applying for passports and travel documents, Dundee is also close to the Scottish Passport Office in Edinburgh, which is approximately 70 miles south via the Queensferry Crossing or the Forth Road Bridge.
Ready to create your passport photo?
Get a compliant United Kingdom passport photo in minutes. AI-verified. 100% acceptance guarantee or your money back.
Why Choose PassportApp?
Ready in 2 Minutes
AI processing delivers your compliant photo instantly — no booth queues.
Money Back Guarantee
Full refund if your application is rejected due to the photo.
Compliance Verified
Every photo is checked against official requirements before download.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a professionally composed photo with expert guidance, I&N Photo at 4 Crichton Street (DD1 3AJ, tel: 01382 226407) is the standout option – no appointment needed, ready in minutes, and covering over 50 international photo formats. For a quick self-service option, the Max Spielmann booths at Tesco Kingsway Extra or Tesco Riverside Extra are reliable and include a digital code. Timpson at Dundee High Street and Tesco Kingsway also offer a fast staffed service.
I&N Photo charges from around £10–£12. Max Spielmann booths at Tesco cost £12.99 for 4 prints plus a digital code. Timpson charges £12.99. Morrisons and Asda booths vary between approximately £8 and £12. Boots kiosk printing of a prepared template costs from around 27p–55p per 6x4 sheet. The cheapest option is taking your own photo at home using a compliant online tool and printing at Boots or Asda.
Yes. I&N Photo has extensive experience with babies and children and offers no-appointment baby passport photos. Timpson branches in Dundee also take passport photos for babies and children of all ages. Self-service supermarket booths are not suitable for infants and young children.
Yes. I&N Photo on Crichton Street specialises in international photo formats and covers more than 50 countries, including US passport and visa photos, Canadian passport and immigration photos, Indian passports, OCI and PIO cards, Australian passports, Irish passports and many European and Asian formats. The studio is familiar with the specific size, background and orientation requirements for each country and is used by local embassies and consulates. Supermarket booths and Timpson focus primarily on UK passport formats.
Yes. Dundee railway station on South Union Street (DD1 4BY) has a self-service photo booth on the concourse. It is available during station opening hours and accepts card payment. This is a useful option if you are arriving by train and need photos without making a separate trip into the city centre.
Yes, using the CEWE Photostation kiosk available at Boots High Street (DD1 1UL), Broughty Ferry (DD5 2AG) and Kingsway West Retail Park (DD3 8RX). Boots does not take photos in-store, so you need to arrive with a prepared digital template in the correct 6x4 inch (10x15 cm) format. Order online via the Boots Photo website or app before your visit for the fastest collection experience. The Boots High Street store also has a separate Passport Instant Photo Booth service at the pharmacy counter.
Related Tools
Related Pages