Photos used for ID cards must meet certain requirements. These include requirements concerning dimensions, photo quality, background, appearance, position, facial expression, glasses, lighting and framing.

Dimensions

Photo size

Standard format: 2 x 2 inches (or 51 x 51 mm) in size (White Background)

Width of face

Between 16 mm and 20 mm from ear to ear.

Length of face

Ages 11 and above: between 26 mm and 30 mm from chin to crown.

Quality of photo

Requirements for the quality of passport photos:

• colour photo
• true likeness and no more than six months old when the application is submitted
• natural representation
• sharp image, with sufficient contrast and detail
• undamaged
• not a reproduction (copy)
• unaltered by computer software
• printed on high-quality, smooth photo paper
• minimum 400 dpi resolution

From left to right: 1. blurry image, 2. too little contrast, 3. good passport photo

Lighting

Requirements for the lighting of passport photos:

• even
• not overexposed or underexposed
• no shadow on the face or in the background
• no reflection on the face
• no reflection caused by accessories

From left to right: 1. reflection (white spots), 2. shadow on face, 3. good passport photo

Position

Requirements for the position of the head in passport photos:

• head facing forward
• eyes horizontally aligned
• head not tilted
• shoulders straight

From left to right: 1. head tilted, 2. good passport photo

Background

Requirements for the background of passport photos:

• White
• plain
• all one colour
• uniform colour (no fade)
• sufficient contrast with head

From left to right: 1. non-uniform colour, 2. good passport photo

Glasses

Requirements for wearing glasses in passport photos:

• eyes fully visible
• fully transparent lenses
• no glare on the glasses
• no shadow

From left to right: 1. eyes not fully visible, 2. good passport photo

Facial appearance

• head uncovered
• face fully visible
• eyes fully visible
• Ears do not have to be visible, as long as the width of the face is visible.

From left to right: eyes not fully visible, 2. good passport photo

Expression

Requirements for facial expression in passport photos:

• neutral expression
• looking straight at the camera
• mouth closed

From left to right: 1. mouth not closed, 2. good passport photo

Exception: religion

If a person’s religion or belief system does not allow them to have their head uncovered, they may cover their head. The head covering must be plain, in one colour only and must contrast with the background.

From left to right: 1. face not fully visible, 2. good passport photo

Proceed