Guide
Photo requirements
The ISO/IEC 19794-5 standard defines the technical and biometric requirements for biometric photos used in identity verification and international travel documents.
Main requirements
Photo size and aspect ratio
- Size: 35 mm (width) × 45 mm (height)
- Aspect ratio: 7:9 (width/height)
- Face size: the head must occupy 70–80% of the photo height (about 32–36 mm from chin to top of the head).
Face position and orientation
- The face must be centered and straight, without tilt.
- The eyes must be on a horizontal line, located 23–35 mm above the bottom of the photo.
- The head must be fully visible, without cropped parts (e.g. no cut-off forehead or chin).
Facial expression and eyes
- Neutral facial expression — no smile, frown, or raised eyebrows.
- Mouth closed — teeth must not be visible.
- Eyes open and visible, looking directly at the camera.
- No red-eye effect or glare on glasses.
Glasses, hats and accessories
- Glasses are allowed, but there must be no glare or reflection on the lenses, and no tinted lenses or sunglasses.
- Hats and headscarves are not allowed, except for religious or medical reasons (they must not cover the main parts of the face).
- Large earrings, hats, or accessories that cover the face are prohibited.
Background and lighting
- Plain, light-colored background (white, light gray, or light beige).
- There must be no shadows on the face or background.
- The photo must not be over- or under-exposed — the face must be evenly lit.
- There must be no strong contrast or artificial lighting.
Photo quality and resolution
- High resolution (at least 600 dpi for digital photos).
- There must be no compression artifacts, noise, or blurring.
- Filters, retouched, or edited photos must not be used.
- The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months.
Common mistakes
These mistakes can lead to rejection
- Smiling or open mouth
- Shadows on the face or background
- Head too small or too large
- Glasses with glare or tinted lenses
- Unprocessed or dark photos
- Lack of a neutral background (e.g. patterned or dark background)
Examples of bad and good passport photos (based on official requirements and rules)
