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Can you smile in a passport photo?

It depends on the country. The US allows a natural smile; the UK, Canada and Australia don't.

US passport: yes, a natural smile is allowed

The State Department's manual for passport staff says: “The applicant's expression should be natural. Normal, unexaggerated smiles are acceptable, but unusual expressions and squinting are not” (8 FAM 402.1-5). Both eyes must be open.

In practice, a relaxed closed-mouth smile is safest. A wide, open-mouthed grin can distort the face and push it towards “exaggerated”. The same rule applies to US visa and green card photos taken to the same 2×2 standard.

UK, Canada and Australia: no smiling

  • United Kingdom: a plain expression with your mouth closed; don't smile or frown (gov.uk). Children under 6 are exempt from the plain-expression rule.
  • Canada: a neutral facial expression, not smiling, with the mouth closed (canada.ca).
  • Australia: a neutral expression, not smiling, laughing or frowning (passports.gov.au).

Most other countries follow the same international guidance for machine-readable passports, which recommends a neutral expression. If you are unsure, a neutral expression with your mouth closed is accepted everywhere.

How to get a relaxed, neutral expression

  • Breathe out and let your jaw relax, lips gently closed.
  • Look straight into the lens, not at the screen.
  • Take several shots and pick the one that looks most like you.

Then upload it to the photo tool for your document, for example the US passport, UK passport or Canada visitor visa photo. It sizes the head correctly and replaces the background. The preview is free.

Can you smile in a US passport photo?+

Yes. The State Department's manual says normal, unexaggerated smiles are acceptable. A big open-mouthed grin, squinting or unusual expressions are not.

Can you show teeth in a US passport photo?+

A natural smile is allowed, but a closed-mouth smile or neutral expression is the safest choice, because an exaggerated expression can be rejected.

Can you smile in a UK passport photo?+

No. The UK requires a plain expression with your mouth closed: don't smile or frown. Children under 6 don't need a plain expression.

Can you smile in a Canadian passport photo?+

No. Canada requires a neutral facial expression, not smiling, with the mouth closed.

Why do most countries ban smiling?+

Passport photos are used for automated face matching at borders. A neutral expression with the mouth closed is the easiest for those systems to match, which is why the international standard recommends it.

Sources: US State Department, 8 FAM 402.1-5; GOV.UK; Canada.ca; Australian Passport Office. Rules can change; check the official page before you apply.

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