This guide is intended to provide you with clear and concise information regarding the specific requirements for submitting a passport photo in your application. Adhering to these guidelines will ensure your photo meets the necessary criteria for a successful application and prevent delays in processing.
Here are the complete guidelines for the Irish passport photo:(( Irish Immigration. (n.d.). Photograph Requirements -Irish Travel Document. https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Travel-Document-Photo-Requirements.pdf))
- Dimensions
- Size: Precisely 35mm x 45mm (around 1.4 inches x 1.8 inches).
- Format: High-resolution JPEG file only (online applications).
- Appearance
- Head: Centered, full view showing your head and shoulders.
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, and looking directly at the camera.
- Headwear: Not allowed unless for religious reasons (with documentation).
- Accessories: No glasses, sunglasses, headphones, jewelry, or scarves.
- Facial features: Visible, free from shadows or hair covering.
- Technical aspects
- Resolution: High enough for precise reproduction (at least 715 pixels wide and 951 pixels high).
- Background: Plain white or light grey, no patterns or distractions.
- Lighting: Balanced and even, no harsh shadows or overexposure.
- Focus: Sharp and clear, with no blurring or pixelation.
- Digital alterations: None; the photo must be authentic.
- Additional pointers
- Recent: The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
- Paper quality: Use high-resolution photo-quality paper (for physical applications).
- No creases or marks: Keep the photo clean and undamaged.
- Multiple attempts: Take several photos to choose the best one.
- Number of copies: Two identical photos.
Following the passport photo guidelines meticulously holds significant importance for a smooth and successful application process. Here’s why:
1. Ensures Accuracy of Identification: A passport serves as a crucial piece of identification during international travel. Strict photo regulations guarantee a clear, consistent, and accurate representation of your appearance, facilitating efficient verification by immigration officials.
2. Avoids Delays and Potential Rejection: Adhering to the guidelines minimizes the risk of your application being delayed or even rejected due to non-compliant photos. This can save you valuable time and potential frustration, ensuring a seamless transition towards acquiring your passport.
3. Promotes Security and Integrity: Standardized passport photos play a vital role in maintaining the security and integrity of the passport issuing process. Consistent and clear photographs enable authorities to accurately verify your identity, contributing to international travel safety and security measures.
By diligently following the guidelines, you contribute to a streamlined application process and ultimately expedite your journey towards obtaining your Irish passport.
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. Simply take a photo 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. For every product sold, we plant a tree!
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 – we check your passport photo to make sure 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 own 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, which will make 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.
Acceptable and Unacceptable Ireland Passport Photo
Here are some reasons why a photo might be rejected for an Irish passport:
- Not recent: The photo is older than six months.
- Incorrect size: The photo is not 35mm x 45mm.
- Busy background: The background is not plain white or light grey.
- Non-neutral expression: Smiling, frowning, grimacing, or with mouth open.
- Headwear: Not for religious reasons.
- Low resolution: The photo is blurry or pixelated.
- Creases or marks: The photo is damaged or obscured.
- Digitally altered: The photo has been edited to change appearance.
- Shadows: Shadows on the face or behind the head.
- Poor lighting: The photo is too dark or too bright.
- Unnatural skin tones: Excessive color adjustments.
- Red eye: Not corrected.
- Eyes closed or not looking at camera: Not alert or suitable for identification.
Source: Ireland.ie
Source: Irish Immigration.ie
Ireland Passport photo for kids and babies
General requirements
- Recent: Same as adults, the photo must be taken within the last six months.
- Color or Black and White: Both are acceptable.
- Size: 35mm x 45mm (same as adults).
- Background: Plain white or light grey (essential for clear visibility).
- Expression: Neutral, with mouth closed and eyes open, looking directly at the camera (as possible).
- Headwear: Not allowed unless for religious reasons.
- Resolution: High enough for clear reproduction.
- Paper quality: High-resolution photo-quality paper.
- No creases or marks: Maintain professionalism and prevent obscuring features.
- No digital alterations: Avoids misrepresentation.
Specifics for Kids and Babies
- For infants who cannot support themselves: Lay them down on a plain white surface, ensuring no hands or arms are visible in the photo.
- Soothers/pacifiers: Strictly not allowed as they obscure facial features.
- Older children: Encourage them to sit upright and look directly at the camera. Gentle guidance and patience are key.
When taking passport photos of young children, meeting all the government’s requirements can be challenging. Visas for Future’s passport photo service is the best option. Our experts can transform your child’s simple photo into a passport-compliant photo that meets all the requirements.
Unacceptable Ireland Passport Photos for Kids and Babies:
Common reasons for rejection
- Busy background: Distracts from the child’s face.
- Non-neutral expression: Crying, laughing, or other exaggerated expressions can be rejected.
- Headwear (non-religious).
- Shadows on face or background.
- Poor lighting: Too dark or too bright.
- Hands or other objects in the photo.
- Pacifier in the baby’s mouth.
Additional Tips
- Take multiple photos to increase your chances of capturing an acceptable one.
- Use natural light if possible, avoiding harsh shadows.
- Dress your child in plain clothing with minimal patterns to avoid distractions.
- Be patient and understanding, especially with younger children.
- If you’re unsure about your photo, consider using a professional photography service specializing in passport photos.
Steps to get an Ireland passport photo Online
Here’s the step-by-step process for obtaining your passport photo through Visas for Future.
Step 1: Click on the “Get Passport Photo now“.
Step 2: Fill out the order form.
- Name
- Phone number
- Nationality
- Country of Residence
Step 3: Pay the application fee.
- Use a valid debit or credit card.
Step 4: Upload your photo.
- Ensure it is clear and with neutral expression.
Step 5: Receive your photo in 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the Irish passport photo keep being rejected?
Common Reasons for Rejected Photos
1. Not meeting size and format requirements: Double-check that the photo is exactly 35mm x 45mm and in JPEG format (if submitted online).
2. Background issues: Ensure the background is plain white or light grey, with no shadows or distractions.
3. Incorrect facial expression: Maintain a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
4. Poor image quality: Avoid blurry, pixelated, or poorly lit photos.
5. Digital alterations: Don’t edit the photo to change your appearance.
6. Headwear: Headwear is generally not allowed unless for religious reasons.
7. Other objects in the photo: Avoid including hands, toys, or other objects in the photo.
8. Photo not recent: The photo must be taken within the last six months.
Can you smile in an Irish passport?
No, you cannot smile in an Irish passport photo. The official guidelines from the Department of Foreign Affairs clearly state that the expression should be neutral with the mouth closed. This means no smiling, frowning, grimacing, or any other visible emotion.
What should I wear for passport photo?
1. Wear plain, solid-colored clothing (preferably dark) to avoid distractions.
2. Choose a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes open, looking directly at the camera.
3. Remove eyeglasses, sunglasses, and headwear (unless for religious reasons).
4. Ensure the background is plain white or light grey.
5. Use high-resolution photos with balanced lighting and no shadows.
6. Take multiple photos to increase your chances of capturing an acceptable one.
Ask a question
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Written by
Wences Orcales 
Wences has been working home-based for 7 years in the Visa industry. As a content writer in Visas for Future, she makes sure the information she provides is useful for her readers. Once a quarter she does visa fulfillment for Turkey and India visas. She makes sure that clients are satisfied with their orders through customer service. She loves learning new things and hates procrastination.
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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Cite this article
MLA Style
Orcales, Wences. "Ireland Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/irish-passport-photo-size-in-pixels/. Accessed on 15 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Orcales, Wences. "Ireland Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 15, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/irish-passport-photo-size-in-pixels/.