A sample passport photo is a test photo taken to check if it meets the requirements for a passport photo. It is usually taken before the passport photo is taken to ensure that the lighting, size, and other specifications are correct. The photo must be clear and color, showing a full front view of the face with a neutral expression. Reviewing a sample passport photo ensures your passport application process goes smoothly and avoids delays or rejections.
A U.S. passport photo must meet specific requirements to be accepted. Here’s what you need to know:1
Size
- Dimensions: The photo must be 2 inches (51 millimeters) wide by 2 inches (51 millimeters) tall.
- Head size: From the top of your hair to the bottom of your chin, your head should be between 1 inch (25 millimeters) and 1 3/8 inches (35 millimeters) in height.
Resolution
- Minimum: The photo should be of high resolution, with a minimum of 600 pixels by 600 pixels.
- Maximum: The maximum accepted size is 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels.
Background
- Color: The background must be plain white or off-white.
- Patterns: No patterns, shadows, or other objects are allowed in the background.
Lighting
- Even lighting: The lighting should be uniform and avoid harsh shadows across your face or in the background.
- Exposure: The photo should be sufficiently bright and light, accurately reproducing your skin tones.
Expression
- Neutral: Maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth closed and eyes open. A slight smile is acceptable, but avoid exaggerated expressions.
- Looking straight: Your head should be positioned straight, facing the camera directly, and your eyes should look straight ahead.
Quality
- Clear and sharp: The photo should be clear, sharp, and in focus.
- Printed: The photo must be printed on high-quality matte or glossy photographic paper. Avoid using thermal paper or pictures printed from home printers on regular paper.
- Unaltered: The photo should not be digitally altered or edited in any way except for minor red-eye correction.
Additional points
- Glasses: If you wear glasses, they must be clean and not have reflective lenses. Your eyes should be visible.
- Headwear: Headwear is not allowed unless you wear it for religious purposes and it’s part of your everyday attire.
- Headphones and other accessories: Remove headphones, earbuds, or other accessories from your head.
Importance of having a good passport photo
- Ensure that you are easily identifiable by border control officials.
- Help to prevent identity theft. If your passport is lost or stolen, a good photo can help the authorities identify you and recover your passport.
- More professional and looks better. It reflects you and your identity, so putting your best foot forward is essential.
Visas for Future Passport Photo Service
Use the Visas for Future passport photo service to get a passport photo that’ll work for your application. Take a picture of yourself using our guidelines, send it in, and we’ll edit it. We’ll send you your passport photos by post with free shipping. We deliver to Canada, the EU, the US, and the UK. For individuals outside of those countries, we can provide your passport photos to your inbox, which you can print at home.
How it works
Take a photo.
We verify your photo.
Passport photos are delivered by post or email.
How to take your passport photo
Here’s how you can take passport photos at home to ensure that they’ll be high quality:
1.) Stand .5 meters or 2 feet from the wall. This ensures that there’s no shadow on your portrait.
2.) Place the camera 2 meters or 6 feet away from the subject. This will prevent distortion and give you a prettier picture!
3.) Have the camera on the same level as the subject’s face.
4.) Use plenty of lighting. Natural light is preferred, but plenty of light in general is the best. Make sure it is even and doesn’t leave a shadow.
Benefits of using an online passport photo service
There are many choices when it comes to getting a passport photo, but here are reasons why you should go with an online agent:
- You don’t have to leave your house.
- We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
- We validate your photo and check your passport photo to ensure it is in order.
- Save money with bulk orders – you can order many passport photos and save.
Why choose us
Visas for Future is a convenient service that can help you with your passport photo needs. Here are six reasons why you should choose Visas for Future for your passport photo services:
- Expertise: Our experts ensure that your passport photo meets the official requirements of your destination country.
- Convenience: You can upload your photo or take one with your smartphone, and we will crop, resize, and enhance it to create a perfect biometric photo.
- Support: We’re visa and passport photo experts. You can ask us travel questions, making your trip-planning process easier.
- Speed: Your photos are shipped within a day!
- Unlimited retakes: You can also take as many photos as you want until you are satisfied with the result.
Sample passport photos for adults, minors, and children
Source: Travel.State. Gov. U.S. Department of State-Bureau of Consular Affairs.1
Additional guidelines for passport photo
Here are some additional guidelines for a U.S. passport photo:
General Appearance
- Full face view: Your head and shoulders should be centered in the frame with a complete view of your face.
- Neutral expression: Maintain a neutral, natural expression with your mouth closed and eyes open. A slight smile is acceptable, but avoid showing teeth or exaggerated expressions.
- Looking straight ahead: Your head should be positioned straight, facing the camera directly, and your eyes should look straight ahead.
Clothing and Attire
- Dress appropriately: Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and avoid overly revealing attire.
- No uniforms: Uniforms are not allowed unless they are religious attire you wear daily.
- Avoid busy patterns: Opt for solid colors or simple patterns that don’t distract from your face.
Hair and Makeup
- Hair: Style your hair in a way that doesn’t obscure your face.
- Makeup: Makeup is permitted, but it should be applied subtly and not in a way that alters your appearance significantly. Avoid excessive makeup, hats, and headwear (except for religious purposes).
Other points
- Glasses: If you wear glasses, ensure they are clean and don’t have reflective lenses. Your eyes must be visible through the glasses.
- Headphones and other accessories: Remove headphones, earbuds, or other accessories from your head and neck.
- Background: The background should be plain white or off-white, with no patterns, shadows, or other objects.
- Red-eye correction: Minor red-eye correction is acceptable. However, avoid digital manipulation or editing that alters your facial features or skin tone.
- Recent photo: The photo must be taken within the last six months, accurately reflecting your appearance.
Guidelines for passport photos for minors and children
The U.S. Department of State outlines specific guidelines for passport photos, including those for minors and children. While the core requirements like size, resolution, and background remain the same, there are some additional considerations for children’s photos:
General Guidelines
- Age limit: The same guidelines apply to children of all ages, including newborns and infants.
- Focus and clarity: Ensure the child’s face is in clear focus and well-lit.
- Eyes open: Keep their eyes open for infants and young children, even if they close them momentarily during the photo shoot.
- Support for head and shoulders: For infants and young children who cannot hold their heads up independently, use a car seat or a white sheet behind them to support their heads and shoulders. Ensure the supporting object is not visible in the final photo.
Parental/Guardian Presence
- Parental consent: A parent or legal guardian’s written consent is required for children under 15 applying for a passport.
- Parental presence (optional): While not mandatory, one parent or guardian may be present in the photo with the child as long as they meet the photo requirements and do not obscure the child’s face. This might be helpful for infants or young children who require calming or reassurance during the photo session. However, the parent/guardian must not touch the child or be included in the final cropped picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should be worn in a passport photo in the Philippines?
1. Wear decent clothing that is considered respectable and appropriate.
2. Avoid clothing with plunging necklines, sleeveless, see-through, tank, and tube tops.
3. Solid colors or simple patterns are preferred for passport photos as they don’t distract from your face.
4. If you wear religious attire daily, you can wear it for your passport photo.
Can I smile in my passport photo in the Philippines?
No, smiling is not allowed in Philippine passport photos. The photo must show a neutral facial expression.
Is the passport photo 2×2 or 4×6?
The passport photo required for a U.S. passport is 2×2 inches (51 millimeters x 51 millimeters) in size. It’s important to distinguish this from the commonly available photo print size of 4×6 inches, which is significantly larger.
What color shirt can I wear for my passport photo?
1. Solid colors preferred: Opt for white, blue, black, or neutral tones. This avoids distracting patterns or blends that make distinguishing your face from the background difficult.
2. Contrast with the background: Choose a color that contrasts nicely with the white or off-white background required for passport photos. Avoid wearing white or very light colors, as they can blend into the background, making the outline of your head and shoulders unclear.
- Travel State. Gov. (2023). Photo Examples. Retrieved February 28, 2024. <https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos/photo-examples.html> [↩] [↩]
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Written by
Charlyn Miguel 
Charlyn is a science researcher and a content writer at Visas for Future. She is trained to write informatively, engaging her contents about visas for Turkey, India, Colombia, Egypt, and Aruba. She also does and manages client orders for efficient customer service. She had published academic articles and co-authored a book. She handles actual visa orders once every three months to preserve his knowledge and communication with the factual visa processing system.
Managed by Glen Vidania
Glen Vidania is the Content Manager at Visas for Future, a company that offers online visa services for eco-friendly travelers. He is a certified Content Marketer and an experienced academic writer. He writes and promotes content that is informative, engaging, and relevant to the readers. He had work experience and gained skills in writing articles, data entry, SEO email marketing, and guest posting. He is also an expert in applying for visas for Turkey and India.
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MLA Style
Miguel, Charlyn. "Sample Passport Photo." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/example-of-a-passport-photo/. Accessed on 28 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Miguel, Charlyn. "Sample Passport Photo." Visas For Future. September 28, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/example-of-a-passport-photo/.