Author: Passport Photo Software

Due to the growing concerns on travel security worldwide, Chinese government has changed and updated their passport and visa requirements. Now, China complies with the new biometric standards.

There are a number of rejected passports and visa application because of incorrect passport and visa photo. If you don’t want to be one of them, better to adhere to the government strict passport and visa requirements.

Chinese Passport Photo Specification Requirements

• Passport photo must have a size of 48 mm x 33 mm.
• Passport photo head height should be between 28 mm – 33 mm
• Head width of the photo should be between 21 mm – 24 mm
• White background or light blue background is required.

Baby Passport Photo Specifications Requirements

China has also a strict passport photo specification requirement for babies and children. Babies must open their eyes wide. No visible means of support from parents or guardian. Baby must also be looking at the direction of the camera. Mouth can be opened.

As the first country to introduce the new International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) compliant facial recognition biometric passports in Asia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand has a very strict passport photo specification requirement.

Thai Passport Photo Specification Requirements

• Passport photo size should be 45 x 35 mm
• Two (2) passport photos are required.
• Should be taken by a professional photographer.
• Passport photo must be colored. Black and white photo is not allowed.
• Background photo should be white or off-white.
• Facial features should be clear and distinguishable.
• Passport photo should be a close up of your head and shoulders.
• Overall passport photo should be 70-80% of your face.
• Passport photo should be clear and sharp.
• Digital or scanned photos are allowed provided that it is printed at 1200dpi resolution or higher.
• No shadows on the background or on the face.
• No reflection on the glasses if worn.
• Avoid any obstruction on the face such as sunglasses, hair across the eyes, etc.
• Look directly at the camera with eyes wide open.
• Mouth close and no showing of teeth.
• Passport photo must have neutral expression.
• No hats or any head accessories.

Baby Passport Photo Requirements

Just like the normal Thailand’s passport photo requirement, baby passport photo requirements are also strict. Babies’ photos should have eyes wide open. There should also no visible means of support from parents or guardians.

The baby should also be looking directly at the camera with mouth closed or opened.

Thai Visa Photo Requirements

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has specific photo requirements for visa. But they are usually the same as US passport/visa requirements. Here is a list of all the specifications:

• Two photos are required.
• Visa photo size should be 50 x 50 mm.
• Photocopies or photostats are not allowed.
• Visa photo must have a light colored background.
• Visa photo should have the full face of the person.
• Hat or dark glasses are not allowed.
• Visa photo must be taken recently at least within 6 months.

In order to comply with the passport regulations issued by the Spanish government, the following requirements and specifications must be met:

• The individual’s head must be featured in 70 percent of the area designated for the passport photo.
• The passport applicant must submit two identical photos with the Spanish passport application.
• The size specifications for the passport photo are 30mm by 40mm.
• Spanish passport photos absolutely must be taken against a white background. Anything other than a white background will not be accepted since it will detract from a clear facial image. This another reason to use an experienced photographer.

In order to apply for a Spanish visa without running into problems, you must appear in person within a time frame that is no earlier than 90 days prior to your departure date. Keep in mind that It is not possible to make an appointment, so be prepared to wait. Additionally, it is not possible to obtain visas by mail. Visa applications will be accepted on a first come first serve basis.

Passport photo is one of the most important and crucial elements in a passport or visa. Government authorities would like to know what you look like for identification and security purposes. That is why many countries, such as South Africa, have strict passport photo requirements.

There are a lot of ways to get your passport photo taken in South Africa. But make sure that these photo software or photo suppliers comply with the standard requirements set by the South African government.

South African Passport and Visa Photo Specifications Requirements

• Passport photo must be 45mm in length and 35mm in width.
• Black and white passport photo is allowed.
• The background of the photo should be plain white with no shadows.
• No white lining on the background photo.
• The photo should be taken from the head up to the shoulder.
• Chin to crown measurement should be between 22 mm – 25 mm.
• Head accessories, such as head-gear or veil are not allowed.
• Wearing of jewelry and excessive make up is not allowed.
• Glasses are allowed provided that the lenses will not block the eyes.
• Glasses with dark lenses are allowed if the person is blind.
• Direct full face photograph.
• No tilting, bending or turning of head on the passport photo.
• Holes, scratches, pencil or ink marks, etc. are not allowed.
• Passport photos from photo booths are not acceptable.

The South African government follows strict guidelines when it comes to passport photo. Thus, you should comply with all these requirements for your passport photo to pass under South Africa’s new facial biometric criteria and newly introduced anti fraud security measures.

If you need an Indian Passport, you should bear in mind that there are specific standards required for the passport photo. There are a lot of softwares that can help you in getting an Indian passport photo, but make sure that this software can provide the necessary requirements to ensure your passport approval.

Unlike other countries, India has a very strict passport photo requirement. India has specific rules when it comes to photo size, background, face angle and lighting, to name a few.

Indian Passport Photo Specifications and Application Requirements

• The passport photo size should be 2 inch x 2 inch (51 mm x 51 mm), colored.
• Clear photo-print with continuous-tone quality.
• Full face front view with eyes wide open. Head should be center within the frame.
• Full head include top of hair to bottom of chin: height of head should measure 1 inch to 1-⅜ inches (25 mm to 35 mm) and eye height is between 1-⅛ inches to 1-3.
• Photo should present full head from top of hair to bottom of chin.
• Use only white or off-white background.
• Avoid distracting shadows or noises on the background and on the face.
• Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons provided that the facial features are still visible. From bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of the face must be clearly shown.
• Natural facial expression is a must.
• Properly illuminated background to avoid shadows.
• Retouching or enhancing photo is not advisable.
• High-resolution photography and printing are strongly advisable.
• Both conventional and digital photography are allowed. Conventional or digital printing methods may be used.
• Digitally printed photos should not have visible pixels or dot patterns.
• Fine facial features should be clear.
• Photo color should reproduce natural skin tones.
• Use appropriate filters to eliminate improper color balance.
• Head should face the camera directly (portrait style). No titling or turning.
• Photo must show both edges of the face clearly.
• The eyes must be open and should not be obstructed by hairs or eyeglass frames and any other accessories.
• Glare on eyeglasses should be avoided.
• No tinted or dark glasses.
• There should not be any overexposure or underexposure which results in an unusable photo.

Indian Passport Photo Specifications for Children (under one year old)

For children’s passport photo, they mostly have the same requirements as far as quality and size is concerned. However, the passport photo requirement of children under ten years of age are somewhat relaxed in terms of height of face, position of eyes, position of the face (for infants), facial expression, and line of sight. Here are other passport photo  requirements for children:

• Clear frontal photograph is required.
• No other object or people should be visible on the photo such as chair, backs, toys, etc.
• The child must look at the camera with a neutral expression and mouth closed.
• Photographs taken with a digital camera should be of high quality color.

Getting a United State Green card, or I-551 card, is the dream of many people from around the world. The chance to come to the United States and to live and work as a permanent resident is the kind of promise that this country was founded on.

If you’re applying for a US green card then you need to make sure that the photo specifications are met according to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration. If you’re photo is not exactly as it needs to be then you’re application could be denied.

For most intents and purposes, the specifications for US green card, visa and passport photo are the same. They are:

• Photos must be in color and on matte or glossy photo quality paper.
• 2 x2 inches or 51mm x 51mm in size.
• The head must be 1 inch to 1 3/8 inch in sized (this counts from the top of the head to bottom of the chin) within the 2 inch photo.
• The photo must have been taken within the last 6 months of application.
• The background must be plain white or off-white. No designs even if it matches the background color.
• You must be directly facing the camera.
• Your eyes must be open and no facial expression, i.e. no smiles or frowns.
• However, where the difference occurs is with the Diversity Visa Lottery that the US Immigration holds. Here are the main differences. Remember, failure to precisely follow the instructions will result in your application being denied.

The Diversity Lottery applications are an online submission format. Every person who is applying for the green card must be included on the application.

• The image must be in JPEG format.
• You must submit in color. Monochrome will not be accepted.
• Resolution must be at 300 pixels per inch when scanned, or 12 pixels per millimeter.
• If you are using a photographic print to submit for the application then the image must be 2 inches by 2 inches.
• The maximum image size for submission is 240 kB
• 600×600 pixels in dimension for online application

If you’re looking to get a UK passport then you should make sure that your passport photo software can specifically meet the requirements of what the United Kingdom now needs to issue your passport.

Passport application in the UK isn’t what it used to be. Just like the rest of the world governments, the UK has tightened the reigns. Passport applications are not taken lightly any longer. UK passports have now implemented facial biometric recognition technology so passport photos need to be specific and detailed.

UK Passport Photo Specifications and Application Requirements

• You will need to submit two identical photos
• The photos must be properly focused and clear
• The size of the photo must be 45mm by 35mm with the head between 29mm and 34mm in size
• Background must be light gray
• Printed on high-quality, low-gloss photographic paper
• No other objects, people or shadows
• Photos must be in near mint condition with no creases or bends
• The photo must be a full-facial view, straight on
• Your mouth must be closed. No showing of teeth, smiling or frowning
• No sunglasses, tinted lenses or hair can be obscuring the eyes
• No glare or camera flash reflections on corrective lenses
• If for religious or medical reasons you wear a head covering than it may be worn in your UK passport photo

UK Passport Photo Specifications for Children (under 5 years old)

Applying for a child’s passport have most of the same requirements as far as size and quality as that of adults and as noted above. However, the UK does allow for a little bit of latitude due to the nature of situation.

• Must be a current, true likeness of the child
• The head size of the child can be between 21mm and 34mm instead of the same as adults above
• Neutral expressions and looking straight into the camera is are not a requirements
• No supporting hands or fingers allowed in the photo
• Babies that are 1 year old and under are not required to have their eyes open
• This new criteria for UK passport is to prevent fraud and illegal immigration, as well as prevent security risks with illegal entry into ports of entry. Also, for security reasons the ability to track and accurately use biometrics for facial recognition is paramount and effective.