Photograph Specifications

Requirement of photograph for Passport Application

Please click here to view detailed requirement of photograph for Passport

Based upon the specifications of the International Standards Organization (ISO) and ICAO, which is responsible for standardizing travel documents, please find below the most important requirements for photograph while submitting passport or visa application.

The quality of the photograph appearing on the passport depends on the photograph that is submitted at the time of applying for a passport. The passport seekers are, therefore, advised to submit the photographs, as specified, to avoid delay in processing their passport applications.

Effective 1st September the photograph guidelines have been revised based on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. All BLS centers are fully equipped to follow ICAO standards by the trained staff. Applicants to report at BLS center in a dark color dress with passport.

• Close up of the head and top of the shoulders such that the face takes up 80-85% of the photograph.
• The photograph should be in color and dimensions should be 630*810 Pixels.
• Photos should be unaltered by computer software.
• Background of the photograph should be White.
• The photographs must –
  • Show the applicant looking directly at the camera.
  • Show the skin tones naturally.
  • Have appropriate brightness and contrast.
  • Show the applicants eyes open and clearly visible.
  • Should not have hair across the eyes.
  • Be taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflections on the face and no red eye.
  • Mouth should not be open.
  • Be taken from distance of 1.5 meters from a camera (not too close)
  • Should not be blurred
• It should have full face, front view, eyes open.
• Photo should be present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.
• Centre head within frame (head should not be tilted).
• It should have been taken within the last three month.
• No reflections on the glasses
• There should not be any distracting shadows on the face or in the background (should not have reflection of the glasses; glasses to be taken off to avoid reflections).
• Illumination shall not cause any red eye effects visible in the eyes or other effects reducing the visibility of the eyes.
• Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but the facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
• The expression on the face should look natural.