How to take passport photos at home? 5 easy steps

This is an easy guide to help you take passport photo at home and avoid rejection of your documents for the sole reason of a bad passport photo.

 

Let me be clear about something: This is not your average “how-to guide” that explains only on how to take passport photo.  

 

Instead, we’ll cover the most common things like photo sizes, image quality. And also, you’re going to learn advanced stuff like different photo types, what and how to dress, background requirements and printing tips.

 

So, if you are planning to take passport photos and wanted to print at home, this guide will be helpful to you.

Taking your Passport Photo

Taking passport photo

We always think that taking a passport photo is a complex process that needs knowledge about photography, photo editing, etc. And so we generally go to a photo studios to process them. 

 

But, it’s 2020 instead of tracking down photo booths, studios and paying them extra money for a few photos as you usually do, you can actually take your own passport photos and print at home in just a few minutes.

 

 

Before going straight to the task, we need to know about some basic things like; the dimension, types of photos, size, and photo requirements to improve your editing and to avoid mistakes which can lead to rejection of applications.

Major types of ID Photos

Well, there are different types of Id photos being used worldwide. But, Majority of countries fall under these 4 types of photos. They are

Passport photo

passport photo

A Passport is the most accepted form of identification across the world.

 

That is given for those who clear a series of background verification set by the government authorities. 

 

Photos of the person used for applying for a passport for personal identification is called a passport photo.

Visa photo

visa photo

A Visa is a type of document where the country permits people belonging to another country to enter and to stay for a specified period.

 

There are different types of visas issued by every country.

 

Once a visa is applied, the person has to undergo a set of background verification to process the visa.

 

Photo given by the person applying for the visa of another country for identification is called a visa photo.

ID photo

Local ID photo

A local ID is an identity document that includes a photo of a holder their basic details such as their address, date of birth and are used to prove the person’s identity.

 

IDs are also issued for certifying a person that he/she has qualified privileges and accesses based on the type. For example, getting a driver’s license gives one access to drive a vehicle.

 

Every county will have its set of local ID’s issued by government authorities, such as driving license, Identity cards, green card, PAN card..

 

Photos of the person used for applying local ID or getting certified are called as ID photos.

Online Application photo

online application photo

As the majority of people nowadays use smart devices, various online applications compel users to provide digital photos for online applications

 

So, there is an increasing demand for digital ID photos as well. 

 

Digital photos are photos that are not physically printed but are only used for online purposes. Any type of ID photos used for such purposes like online job applications, college applications, exam applications are called online application photos.

 

As we now know about the types of ID photos used by major countries we can now go further to discuss the set of rules and photo sizes mandated by different government bodies.

How to take passport photo at home?

How to take passport photo at home

As photos in applications are mainly used to identify the facial features of a person. The photo has to be clear and perfect. To do that follow the steps below;

Quality & Resolution

The quality is very essential when it comes to a passport photo. So, to improve quality. All you need is:

 

  • A person to assist and to take the photo. 

  • Or else, a tripod to take the photo. 

  • A device to capture quality images such as a smartphone or a digital camera.

  • And a plain white background.

 

Note: Selfies are not allowed for a passport photo. If you plan to take your passport photo on your own. Then, adjust the position of the camera as per your height with the help of a tripod or selfie stick.

Background

How to take a passport photo

A white background is advised by most countries as a primary rule for a passport photo.

 

There may be some exceptions like Palestine, Jamaica. Where they instruct people to use a blue background for their passport photos. To check the exact background required for your requirements check our list here

 

In most cases, a white background is preferred.

What to wear for passport size photo?

what to wear for passport photo

When it comes to attire for a passport size photo. Everyone has the same question in mind i.e. What should I wear for the photo?

 

Since there is no standard dress code for a passport photo. People can wear whatever they wear on a normal day with an exception to wear any kind of headwear or specs for the photo.

 

However, if you wear the headwear for religious beliefs such as a Turban or a Hijab, then you should take passport photo in a way which the headwear should not cover any vital parts of your face or the forehead.

 

And, you are only allowed to wear specs with transparent shade, if you have eye defects.

 

But, have to submit a written copy about the defects from your physician to the country’s government.

Pose, Expression and Lighting

posing for a passport photo

 

  • When we take passport photo, make sure that your face is in the center of the frame showing the vital parts of your face. 
  • Smiling for the photo is not encouraged by everyone.
  • So, a neutral expression of the face is preferred by every country.
  • Photos should not contain any shadows on the background or in the face.

 

So, make sure to take photos without any shadows on it.

Editing Passport Photo

Now, that you’ve taken a perfect snap. 

 

You have to edit the photo to the correct size and print them. Below you will find the sizes for various countries. You can refer them and prepare your photo using Photoshop or you can try out our online passport photo creator. Using our passport photo generator you don’t have to worry about the photo dimensions, it is automatically taken care by the software.

 

Here you can create passport photos of different countries with exact measurements in just a few minutes

 

All you need to do is.

 

  • Go to makepassportphoto.com.

  • Select the photo-type, number of copies and upload the photo.

  • Adjust the photo as per your country requirements.

  • Now, download the photo.

 
Here is a video tutorial on how to create the perfect passport photo

 

Passport photo size for major country documents

In case you know how to edit on photoshop, then you can edit on your own. But, here is the catch. Every country has its set of size requirements for different documents

 

To make things easy, we have collected information on different types of document and their photo sizes for major countries.

 

Below is the list of passport photo size requirements for various documents. find your required passport photo size and edit according to it.

U.S Passport photo size

Document TypeSize in cmSize in mmSize in InchBackground
US Visa5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
US Passport5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
US Green Card (Permanent Resident)5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
US Citizenship5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
US Employment Authorization5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
US NY Gun License3.8x3.8 cm38x38 mm1.5x1.5 InchWhite Background

U.K Passport photo size

Document TypeSize in cmSize in mmSize in InchBackground
UK Passport offline3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
UK Visa3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
UK Driving Licence3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
UK ID/residence card3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
UK BASC Firearms / Shotgun Licensing3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background

Indian Passport photo size

Document TypeSize in cmSize in mmSize in InchBackground
India Visa5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
India Visa Online190x190 PixelsWhite Background
India OCI Passport5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
India Passport5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
India passport (from Thailand)3.5x3.5 cm35x35 mm1.37x1.37 InchWhite Background
India PAN card2.5x3.5 cm25x35 mm0.98x1.37 InchWhite Background
India PAN card online213x213 PixelsWhite Background
India online driving licence420x525 PixelsWhite Background
India driving licence3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
India PIO (Person of Indian Origin)3.5x3.5 cm35x35 mm1.37x1.37 InchWhite Background
India PCC / Birth Certificate3.5x3.5 cm35x35 mm1.37x1.37 InchWhite Background
India FRRO (Foreigner Registration)3.5x3.5 cm35x35 mm1.37x1.37 InchWhite Background
India Passport for BLS USA Application5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
India Police clearance certificate (PCC)5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background

Australian Passport photo size

Document TypeSize in cmSize in mmSize in InchBackground
Australia Passport3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
Australia Visa3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
Australia adult proof of age card3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
Australia NSW Driver's Licence Photo-kit3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
Australia Victoria Driver's Licence Photo-kit3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
Australia Queensland Driver's Licence Photo3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background

Canadian Passport photo size

Document TypeSize in cmSize in mmSize in InchBackground
Canada Visa3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x 1.77 InchWhite Background
Canada Temporary Resident Visa3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x 1.77 InchWhite Background
Canada Passport5x7 cm50x70 mm2x2.75 InchWhite Background
Canada Permanent Resident Card Online1680x1200 PixelsWhite Background
Canada Permanent Resident Card5x7 cm50x70 mm2x2.75 InchWhite Background
Canada Citizenship5x7 cm50x70 mm2x2.75 InchWhite Background

Philippines Passport photo size

Document TypeSize in cmSize in mmSize in InchBackground
Philippines visa5.08x5.08 cm58x58 mm2x2 InchWhite Background
Philippines RUSH ID photo2.5x2.5 cm25x25 mm1x1 InchWhite Background
Philippines license2.5x2.5 cm25x25 mm1x1 InchWhite Background
Philippines Machine Readable Passport3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.77x1.37 InchWhite Background
Philippines visa3.5x4.5 cm35x45 mm1.37x1.77 InchWhite Background
Philippines Certificate of Identity and Registration (CIR) card2.5x2.5 cm25x25 mm1x1 InchWhite Background
Acknowledgement of employment contracts3x4 cm30x40 mm1.18x1.57 InchWhite Background

Passport photo size for other countries

For someone who needs to know the size requirements for other countries. Here is the passport photo size for 140+ countries with accurate measurements.

Printing passport photo at home

Printing passport photo at home

Now, that you’ve finished editing the image. We now have to print the photo with the help of your printer.

 

Note: every passport photo has to be colored in order to be valid.

 

So, you can use a high resolution color printer to print. The only thing you have to check is the type of paper to use and printer settings.

Printer settings

Printing a passport photo is super easy. At first, select the photo to be printed.

 

Then select the printer, paper size, quality (no less than 300 dpi), border less printing and select print.

Which paper to choose?

Passport photo paper for printing

In most cases, countries prefer photos with a glossy texture. So, any A4 photo paper with 180 GSM (Grams per square meter) can be used to print a passport photo

 

There are some countries like Singapore, Jamaica. Where they’ll prefer matte finish for their passport photos. 

 

In such cases, matte photo paper with a range of 90-120 GSM can be used to print a passport photo.

 

Since the paper used for printing is printable on one side, make sure to place the textured side facing the top of the printer when printing.

Now It's your turn

So, that’s how you can easily take and print your passport photos from home.


Now we want to turn it over to you: Does this guide helpful for you to create your passport photo?


Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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