Stop Paying for Passport Photos! Remove Backgrounds Yourself

How to Remove Background from Passport Photos in 4 Ways

Passport photos demand precision, and a key element is a clean, compliant background. Whether you're dealing with a busy backdrop or simply need to meet specific color requirements, you need a passport photo background remover with high precision. Below we’ll walk you through various methods to help you achieve a perfect passport photo background.

#1. Remove Passport Photo Background with Aiarty Image Matting

Aiarty Image Matting ensures flawless passport background background removal with AI-powered precision, preserving intricate details like individual hair strands, clothing textures, and fine edges. Its advanced algorithms detect and isolate subjects with pixel-perfect accuracy, eliminating jagged edges or residual background artifacts. Whether capturing flyaway curls, delicate lace collars, or complex patterns, the tool retains natural sharpness and clarity, avoiding the "cut-out" look common in basic editors.

After removing the original background, Aiarty seamlessly integrates your photo with pristine white passport-compliant backdrop or real photo as you may need. The built-in Quality Enhancer upscales resolution, reduces noise, and sharpens details, ensuring your photo meets strict official requirements. Trusted by photographers and professionals worldwide, Aiarty Image Matting delivers studio-quality results in seconds—no manual refining needed.

Key Features to create clear passport photo background:

• Hair & Fabric Detail Preservation: Perfectly captures wispy hair, frizz, and fabric folds.
• Crisp, Clean Edges: No blurring or halos around the subject.
• Background Replacement: Smooth white background integration with zero color bleed.
• 4K Quality Enhancement: Optimizes sharpness, contrast, and color balance.

Free download Aiarty Image Matting to create government-compliant passport photos effortlessly.

How to Remove and Change Background of Passport Photos in Clicks

Step 1. Download and Install Aiarty Image Matting

Download and install the passport photo background remover on your computer. Launch the application and drag and drop your passport photo into the software. You can process multiple images simultaneously for batch editing.

Step 2. Choose the Right AI Model

Select an AI model based on the characteristics of your passport photo. There are four AI models available. For passport photo background removal, AlphaEdge V2 or EdgeClear V2 is recommended to ensure precise edge detection around the subject.

Step 3. Remove Background from Passport Photos

Click "Start" to let the AI automatically detect and remove the background. Then you can preview the before/after results. On the left of the interface, there are Eraser, Brush, Dodge, and Burn tools to refine the edges, especially around hair or complex areas. Ensure the subject is cleanly separated from the background for a professional look.

Step 4. Enhance the Passport Photo Quality

For source photos of lower quality, use the 'Edit' panel on the right. In the 'AI Enhance' section, upscale by 1x or 2x to improve overall image quality. It will improve the clarity of the photo and enhance the details like hair, cloth, etc.

Step 5. Change the Passport Photo Background

Next, go to the "Effects" section, tick the "Background" option. Then you can choose a solid color (e.g., white or off-white) to meet passport photo requirements.

Tips: you can also change the background of the passport photo to gradient color or a custom background image if needed (though solid colors are typically required for passports).

Step 6. Export the Passport Photo

Expand the "Export Settings" section to configure the output format, quality, and folder path. Click "Single Export" or "Batch Export" to save the edited photo.

#2. Remove Passport Photo Background with Online Tools

For those seeking a quick and hassle-free solution, online tools offer a convenient way to remove background from passport photos. These web-based platforms eliminate the need for software downloads and provide instant results, making them ideal for users who prioritize speed and simplicity.

Some popular online passport photo background removers include:

• Remove.bg
• Erase.bg
• PhotoAiD
• Photoroom
• Clipping Magic
• PhotoScissors
• Canva

The steps for using online tools to remove passport photo backgrounds are generally similar. We'll demonstrate the process using Remove.bg as an example.

How to Remove and Change Background of Passport Photos with Remove.bg

Step 1. Visit Remove.bg.

Step 2. Click on the "Upload Image" button and select your passport photo.

Step 3. The tool will automatically detect the subject and remove the passport photo background within seconds.

Step 4. After the background is removed, you can further change the passport photo background to white color or others as per the requirements. Click the Background button on the right, then click Color and choose the change the transparent background to a solid color background (usually white).

Step 5. Next, download the final image. For a free account, you can only download the processed photo in 500x500. You can subscribe a paid plan and get the photo in 1024x1024 (max quality).

#3. Remove Passport Photo Background Photoshop

Photoshop offers advanced capabilities for detailed passport photo background removal, making it a preferred choice for professional photographers and users who require intricate editing. This section will guide you through the process of removing passport photo backgrounds using Photoshop, allowing for meticulous adjustments and professional-grade results.

Photoshop has various tools that can help remove background from your passport photos, including the Selection tool, Remove Background tool, Background Eraser tool, and the Pen tool. Below we will show you how to delete/change passport photo background easily with the Selection tool.

Also learn: how to change background color with Photoshop

How to Remove and Change Background of Passport Photos with Photoshop

Step 1. Launch Adobe Photoshop. Go to File > Open and select your passport photo.

Step 2. Duplicate the background layer: Right-click the layer in the Layers Panel and select Duplicate Layer.

Step 3. Open your passport photo in Adobe Photoshop. Use the Quick Selection Tool on the left menu bar to select the subject. Photoshop will automatically detect the subject’s boundaries.

Step 4. Refine your selection using the Select and Mask workspace to smooth edges and remove any background residue.

Step 5. Once the subject is selected, right-click and select Layer Via Copy to create a new layer for the subject. The new layer will remove the background from the passport photo and generate a transparent background.

Step 6. Next, create a new background layer. Then click Edit on the top menu and choose Fill. Then you can set the new layer with a solid white or light-colored background as per the passport requirements. Then enable the new background layer and the transparent subject layer, you can see that the passport photo background is changed to white.

Step 7. Next, go to File and save your final image in the required format.

#4. Remove Passport Photo Background with Mobile App

Removing passport photo backgrounds doesn't have to be complicated. For those who need to remove the background on the go, mobile apps are a great option. Now there are many mobile apps that are able to remove backgrounds directly from your smartphone.

Some popular mobile passport photo background remover apps include:

• Canva (iOS & Android)
• Remove Background (iOS & Android)
• Background Eraser (iOS & Android)

The steps for using mobile apps to remove passport photo backgrounds are generally similar. We'll demonstrate the process using Canva app as an example.

1. Download and install the Canva app from your device’s app store.
2. Open the app and upload your passport photo.
3. In the app, click on Effect and choose BG remover from the list. Then app will then automatically remove the background within seconds.
4. Save the final image to your gallery.

Test Results of 4 Passport Photo Background Removal Methods

Having explored the methods, let's now examine the results from different passport photo background removal tools. Choose the tool that best suits your needs.

From the results, we can see:

• Aiarty: Excels in precise background removal, preserving intricate details such as individual hair strands. Demonstrates superior accuracy in detail preservation.
• Remove.bg: It delivers relatively satisfactory passport photo background removal, retaining some hair detail.  
• Photoshop: Adobe Photoshop’s Selection too provides a rough outline, while sacrificing fine details and resulting in a loss of definition. The fine detail is completely removed. You may try the advanced features like the Pen tool, which enables highly accurate adjustments for those willing to invest time.
• Mobile app: While mobile apps offer simplicity and convenience, but fall short in detail preservation compared to Aiarty and online tools.

If meticulous detail is paramount in your passport photo editing, Aiarty's advanced AI algorithms provide the most accurate and reliable background removal.

Tips on How to Take the Best Passport Photos

Before taking the passport photo, check the specific passport photo requirements for your country. Generally, you need to pay attention to the size and dimensions, background color, head size and position, expression, and accessories.

1. Choose the Right Location

The background should use a plain, light-colored wall with no patterns, shadows, or objects for easier passport photo background removal. Ensure even, natural lighting to avoid shadows on your face or background. Avoid harsh flashes or direct sunlight. And you should stand at least 2–3 feet away from the wall to prevent shadows.

2. Dress Appropriately

When taking passport photos, wear normal, everyday clothes. Avoid uniforms, camouflage, or overly casual attire. Choose solid colors that contrast with the background (e.g., dark colors for a white background). Do remember to remove hats, headphones, or large jewelry. Religious headwear is allowed if it doesn’t obscure your face.

3. Follow Posing Guidelines

Face the camera directly with your head straight (no tilting). During the photography, maintain a neutral expression with both eyes open and mouth closed. Look directly at the camera lens. Avoid smiling, frowning, or raising eyebrows. You need to keep hair away from your face and ensure it doesn’t cover your eyes or ears and ensure that your hair does not cover your eyes, forehead, or chin. Tie back long hair if necessary to ensure your face is fully visible.

4. Use a Good Camera

A high-resolution camera (at least 600 DPI) is essential to ensure sharpness and clarity. It can ensure your face is in focus, with no blurriness. You can also use a tripod or stable surface to avoid camera shake.

5. Edit the Photo (If Necessary)

After the passport is taken, adjust the photo to meet the required dimensions (e.g., 2x2 inches for the U.S.). Remove and change the background of the passport photos to solid white or other colors.  Adjust lighting to ensure even exposure and no shadows.

Also learn: how to take passport photos at home

Passport Requirements in Different Countries

To remove and change the passport photo background, you need to know the specific requirements for passport photos in your region:

1. United States Passport Photo Requirements

Your passport or ID photo must adhere to specific guidelines to ensure acceptance. The photo should be sized at 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm), with your head measuring between 1 and 1 3/8 inches (25–35 mm) from chin to the top of your head. The background must be plain white or off-white, free of shadows, patterns, or any other objects.

You should maintain a neutral expression, with both eyes open and your mouth closed. Lighting must be even, with no shadows on your face or the background. Wear normal clothing, avoiding uniforms or camouflage; religious headwear is permissible as long as it does not obscure your face. Glasses are generally not allowed, except for medical reasons, which require a medical certificate. Headwear is only allowed for religious or medical purposes. The photo must be of high resolution, sharply focused, and printed on matte or glossy photo paper.

2. European Union (Schengen Area) Passport Photo Requirements

For passport photograph in Europe, ensure it measures 35 x 45 mm. Your head height should occupy 70–80% of the photo, which translates to 32–36 mm. The background must be a light gray or plain white, free from shadows or patterns.

Maintain a neutral expression with both eyes open and your mouth closed. The lighting should be even, without any shadows or reflections. Wear normal clothing, avoiding uniforms or camouflage; religious headwear is permitted as long as it does not obscure your face. Glasses are allowed provided there is no glare or reflection, and the frames do not obstruct your eyes. Headwear is only allowed for religious or medical purposes. The photo must be of high resolution, sharply focused, and printed on high-quality paper.

3. United Kingdom Passport Photo Requirements

Your photograph must measure 45 x 35 mm. Your head height should be between 29–34 mm. The background must be a plain light gray or cream, free of shadows or patterns.

You should maintain a neutral expression, with both eyes open and your mouth closed. The lighting must be even, without any shadows or reflections. Normal clothing is required, avoiding uniforms or camouflage; religious headwear is permitted as long as it does not cover your face. Glasses are allowed if there is no glare or reflection, and the frames do not obscure your eyes. Headwear is only allowed for religious or medical purposes. The photo must be of high resolution, sharply focused, and printed on high-quality paper.

Final Word

Creating compliant passport photos at home is now within reach. With Aiarty, Photoshop, online tools, or mobile apps, you can confidently remove and change passport photo backgrounds. Whether you’re a design pro or a beginner, these tools cater to all skill levels, saving you time and money on studio visits.

So, why wait? Grab your photo, choose your preferred method, and start crafting a flawless passport photo today.