Difficulty ranking

Which document photo is the hardest to get right?

Gạo Nâu scores each photo standard from 1 to 10 based on how strict the rules are, the background, the head ratio and how often photos get rejected. Here is the ranking.

Very hard (8–10)

StandardDifficultyWhy it's hard
🇺🇸 US Visa Photo (DS-160)8/10
  • Strict clean-white background
  • Percentage-based head sizing is hard to hit
  • Glasses fully banned under new rule
  • Separate digital spec: square JPEG ≤240 KB, 600–1200px
🇪🇺 Schengen Visa Photo (35x45mm)8/10
  • Strict ICAO biometric standard
  • Face 32–36mm range is hard to hit
  • Colour required, uniform background
  • Strict glasses/head-covering rules
🇩🇪 Germany Nursing / Work Visa Photo Set8/10
  • Strict ICAO 9303 biometric standard
  • Uniform light background (prefers light grey) is hard to get right
  • Head 32–36 mm and a strict neutral expression
  • A non-compliant photo can get the visa rejected

Hard (6–7)

StandardDifficultyWhy it's hard
🇨🇳 China Visa Photo7/10
  • Strict white background
  • Specific digital spec: exactly 354x472px, 40–120KB
  • Head-tilt limits and glossy-paper printing required
🇬🇧 UK Visa Photo7/10
  • Strict digital spec (px + KB)
  • No software editing, strict automated checks
  • Strict glasses and expression rules
  • Plain light background must be shot properly
🇯🇵 Japan Visa Photo6/10
  • Size varies by consulate, easy to submit the wrong one
  • Strict pure-white background and neutral expression
  • Specific ban on smiling/showing teeth
🇨🇦 Canada Visa Photo (TRV)6/10
  • Face 31–36mm range is exacting
  • Plain light background must be shot properly
  • Requires name/date on the back of prints
🇦🇺 Australia Visa Photo6/10
  • Separate digital spec (px + KB) for ImmiAccount
  • Contrasting background and even lighting needed
  • No photo editing allowed
🇳🇿 New Zealand Visa / NZeTA Photo6/10
  • Strict digital spec (3:4, KB)
  • AI editing banned, strictly checked
  • Neutral background, strict expression
🇮🇳 India Visa Photo (e-Visa)6/10
  • Strict light/white background (automated check)
  • Square photo, head 25–35mm hard to hit
  • Separate digital spec: JPEG 10–300 KB, no borders
🇸🇬 Singapore Visa Photo (ICA)6/10
  • Strict pure-white ICAO background
  • Fixed 400 × 514 px digital size
  • Tight 3-month recency window
🇲🇾 Malaysia Visa Photo (eVISA / imi.gov.my)6/10
  • Strict shadow-free pure-white background
  • Glasses strictly not allowed
  • File-size limits apply for eVISA upload
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Visa Photo (e-Visa)6/10
  • Strict pure-white background, white clothing banned
  • Percentage-based 70–80% face ratio is hard to hit
  • Very small file size (5–100 KB)
🇯🇵 Japan Technical Intern (TITP) Photo Set6/10
  • Strict pure-white background on the visa photo
  • Several photo sizes must be prepared at once
  • The fixed 34 mm head height needs precise framing
🇰🇷 Korea EPS Worker (E-9) Photo Set6/10
  • Strict pure-white background
  • Very small online file (~13 KB) is hard to compress correctly
  • Hat must be off and gaze straight ahead
🇹🇼 Taiwan Migrant Worker Photo Set6/10
  • Strict pure-white background
  • The 4.5x3.5 size differs from the familiar 3x4/4x6 and is easy to mix up
  • Head 32–36 mm needs precise framing

Moderate (4–5)

StandardDifficultyWhy it's hard
🇰🇷 South Korea Visa Photo5/10
  • Plain white background is scrutinized
  • Face height 25–35mm must be framed precisely
🇹🇼 Taiwan Visa Photo5/10
  • Visa size (2x2 inch) differs from passport size (3.5x4.5cm), easy to confuse
  • Requires 2 identical photos on white background
🇭🇰 Hong Kong Visa / Entry Permit Photo5/10
  • Plain white background and headroom framing
  • Rules on glasses over eyes and make-up/clothing
🇷🇺 Russia Visa Photo (3.5x4.5cm)5/10
  • Face 70–80% ratio must be hit
  • Headdress and sunglasses banned
  • Requires clean print, no physical defects
🇮🇩 Indonesia e-Visa Photo (imigrasi.go.id)5/10
  • Easy to confuse red (passport) with white (e-Visa) background
  • Percentage-based head sizing is hard to hit
🇦🇪 UAE / Dubai Visa Photo (ICP)5/10
  • Percentage-based 70–80% face ratio is hard to hit
  • Glasses allowed but glare easily causes rejection
🇰🇷 Korean CV Photo (이력서 사진)5/10
  • High grooming expectations (hair, suit, studio lighting)
  • Two sizes (3×4 and 3.5×4.5) are easy to confuse
  • Face-to-frame ratio of 70–80% must be hit
🇻🇳 Vietnam Ordinary Passport Photo4/10
  • White background and ~75% face ratio need careful framing
  • Online submission has file-format and dpi constraints
  • 6-month recency and both ears must be visible
🇻🇳 Vietnam Driving Licence Photo (GPLX)4/10
  • Background differs: first-time exam (blue) vs renewal (white)
  • Head-tilt ≤5° and no thick-frame glasses constraints
  • 3-month recency and file-size limit
🇲🇴 Macao Visa Photo (Authorization to Enter and Stay)4/10
  • White background and 2-photo requirement
  • Easy to confuse the size with the Macao passport
🇵🇭 Philippines Visa Photo (DFA / Embassy)4/10
  • White background with an easy-to-frame 2x2 square
  • Photo count varies by visa type, easy to miscount

Easy (1–3)

StandardDifficultyWhy it's hard
🇻🇳 Vietnam Identity Card Photo (CCCD)3/10
  • Taken on-site by police, so easy to meet the standard
  • Just need head uncovered, no glasses, tidy clothing
🇻🇳 Party Member ID Card Photo3/10
  • Size changed between Guideline 12 (2x3) and newer guidance (3x4)
  • Requires color, white background, no work uniform
  • 75–80% face ratio needs careful framing
🇻🇳 Criminal Record Certificate Photo (LLTP)3/10
  • White background and 6-month recency to watch
  • Online submission has a file-size limit and needs ID images
🇻🇳 Vietnam CV / Job Application Photo3/10
  • No hard legal rule, only convention — wide tolerance
  • Mainly needs neat attire and a good expression
🇻🇳 Bank Job Application Photo (Vietnam)3/10
  • Emphasis on presentation and office attire
  • Two sizes (3×4 / 4×6) vary by bank and can confuse
🇻🇳 3x4 ID Photo for Applications / Job2/10
  • Flexible standard; white or blue background both fine
  • Just needs a straight, tidy, clear-face shot
🇻🇳 4x6 ID Photo for Applications2/10
  • Flexible standard; white or blue background both fine
  • Just needs a straight, tidy, clear-face shot
🇻🇳 Personal Background (SYLL) Photo2/10
  • No hard law; flexible standard
  • Just needs a standard, tidy, front-facing ID photo
🇸🇬 Singapore CV Photo2/10
  • Photo is optional and trending toward omission
  • If used, just a basic professional headshot
🇺🇸 US Resume Photo — Why You Should NOT Include One1/10
  • No photo needed — you just need to know NOT to attach one
  • The only mistake is adding one out of foreign habit

How Gạo Nâu scores difficulty

The difficulty score is Gạo Nâu's reference assessment, combining four factors:

  1. How strict the official rules are (size tolerance, head ratio).
  2. Special background requirements (unusual colours, exact shades).
  3. Constraints on attire, expression and accessories (glasses, head covering).
  4. How often real applications get rejected over photo errors.

← All photo standards

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