ApprovaVisa / Photo essentials

Bus pass photo checker

Bus pass photo rules come from your council. Most ask for a recent passport-style photo, so the checker uses that standard.

Create a bus pass photo Or check a photo you already have

Photo review / UK bus passOriginal preserved

1Choose your route

2Check the file

3Review the photo

Photo inspection

Your original, in focus

Digital

Choose a photo to see
its file checks here

Dimensions and file size

We’ll measure pixels and bytes against the UK passport standard, without resizing your file.

File checks do not measure face geometry, lighting or editing history. Your council makes the acceptance decision.

Now review the photograph

These checks need your eyes. Review each item against the original before applying.

0 / 5 reviewed

Recent colour photoCouncil limits vary, often 6 or 12 months. No filters or editing.Plain light background, only youCream or light grey, with no shadows on the face or the wall. No other person, hand or object in the shot.Passport-style head and shouldersFacing forward, neutral expression, both eyes visible.No hat or sunglassesUnless needed for religious or medical reasons, or because you are partially sighted or blind.Uncropped originalHead, shoulders and upper body, taken by someone else at eye level. Don’t crop it into a 35×45 mm print template.

Choose your photo to begin the manual review.

Create a bus pass photo

Independent checks before you apply

This is a file pre-check and a guided visual review, not an official council checker. Your council decides acceptance. A successful file check does not assess face geometry or prove that the photo is recent or unedited.

What size photo do I need for a bus pass?

Most councils ask for a passport-style photo. Where a size is given, it is usually 35×45 mm. Online uploads are usually cropped by the council.

Do I need a new photo to renew my bus pass?

Not always. Some councils reuse the photo they hold. Check your council’s renewal page before taking a new one.

Source checked October 28, 2026: GOV.UK. Council rules vary; check your own council’s page before you apply.