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Israel Passport Photo Guide

Israeli passport photos require strict adherence to specific guidelines. They must be 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 in). The photo needs to be recent (within the last month), in color, with a neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, and a plain white background. Read on to learn more about the full specification of Israeli passport photos.

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Here are the full specifications of the Israeli passport photo:

  • Size1
    • 5 x 5 cm (2 x 2 in).
  • Image definition parameters
    • Head height (up to the top of the hair): 1.29 inches (3.3 cm)
    • Distance from the bottom of the photo to the eye line: 1.18 inches (3 cm)
  • Image
    • It must be in color and high quality.
    • Recent, taken within the last month.
    • Printed on photo paper and cut precisely to the required size.
    • Sharp focus, clean, and with no ink marks or creases.
  • Background
    • White.
    • No patterns, shadows, or objects are visible in the background.
  • Resolution
    • For online applications, the minimum required resolution is 600 DPI.
  • Subject
    • Full-face view with head held straight and looking directly at the camera.
    • Neutral expression with closed mouth and relaxed face.
    • Eyes open and visible.
    • Hair is neatly styled and does not cover the face.
    • Both ears are visible.
  • Clothing
    • Plain clothes in neutral colors like black, blue, or brown.
    • Avoid white, busy patterns, and uniforms.
    • Headwear is not allowed except for religious headwear with prior approval.
    • Minimize jewelry and remove large pieces.
    • Sunglasses and headphones are prohibited.
  • Number of copies: Two (2) identical photos.

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 deliver 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 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:

  1. You don’t have to leave your house.
  2. We know the passport photo rules of the country you’re applying to.
  3. We validate your photo – we check your passport photo to make sure it is in order.
  4. 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.

Tips for Taking a Perfect Israel Passport Photo using a Smartphone

Here’s why taking a home photo is risky:

  • Lighting and background: Achieving professional studio lighting and a plain white background at home can be challenging.
  • Technical specifications: Smartphone cameras might not capture the detail and resolution required for passport photos.
  • Cropping and sizing: Ensuring correct head size and composition can be tricky with phone cropping tools.
  • Printing quality: Home printing often doesn’t meet the high standards for passport photos.

However, if you still prefer to try at home, here are some tips to increase your chances of success:

Preparation

  • Invest in a plain white backdrop: Use a bedsheet, poster board, or any other smooth, opaque white surface. Iron out any wrinkles.
  • Find good lighting: Natural, diffused light is best. Avoid harsh shadows or strong overhead light.

Taking the photo

  • Use a high-resolution phone camera: Newer phones generally have better cameras.
  • Set your phone to the highest resolution setting.
  • Position yourself about one meter away from the background.
  • Fill the frame with your head and shoulders centered and facing forward.
  • Maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes open.
  • Take multiple photos from slightly different angles and choose the best one.

Editing and Printing

  • Don’t edit the photo beyond minor adjustments like brightness or contrast.
  • Crop the photo according to the specified dimensions.
  • Use high-quality photo paper and a professional printer.

While taking an Israeli passport photo at home using a smartphone is technically possible, it’s important to understand that the authorities may not accept it. Passport photos have strict requirements, and even minor deviations can lead to rejection. To ensure your passport photos will be accepted use Visas for Future passport photo service.

Israel Passport photo for kids and babies

Taking an Israeli passport photo for kids and babies requires additional considerations compared to adults. Here’s what you need to know:

General Photo Requirements

  • Size: Same as adults, 5×5 cm (2×2 inches).
  • Color: Color photograph.
  • Recent: Taken within the last month.
  • Background: Plain white or light gray, no shadows or patterns.
  • Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open.
  • Headwear: Not allowed unless for religious reasons. Glasses are generally allowed unless they obscure the eyes.

For Kids (Up to six Years Old)

  • Pose: Sitting upright, facing the camera directly.
  • Support: You can gently hold the child’s head and shoulders to ensure they remain still.
  • Toys/Background: Avoid using toys or props in the background, as they can distract from the child’s face.

For Babies (Newborns)

  • Pose: Lay the baby on a plain white sheet or flat surface.
  • Positioning: Gently raise the baby’s head slightly by placing a rolled-up towel or blanket under their shoulders.
  • Expression: It’s okay if the baby is asleep or has a slightly open mouth. Avoid using props or objects to support the baby’s head in an unnatural position.

Additional Tips

  • Natural light: Use natural, diffused light for the best results. Avoid harsh shadows or flash photography.
  • Multiple photos: Take several photos from slightly different angles to increase your chances of getting a good one.
  • Professional help: Consider using a professional photographer who specializes in passport photos for children. They have the experience and equipment to capture high-quality photos that meet all the requirements.
  • Home photos: While technically possible, taking a home photo carries a higher risk of rejection. Ensure you follow all guidelines meticulously and use high-quality printing.

Correct and Incorrect Samples of Israel Passport Photos

Steps to get an Israel passport photo Online

Here’s the step-by-step process for obtaining your passport photo through Visas for Future.

Step 1: Visit Visas for Future.

Step 2: Click on Get Passport Photo now

Step 3: Fill out the order form by providing your name, email, country of residence, and what country you are applying to.

Step 4: Pay the application fee.

Step 5: Upload your photo.

Step 6: Receive your photo in 24 hours.


Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Israel visa photo matte or glossy?

The official Israel visa photo requirements don’t specify whether the photo should be matte or glossy. You can use high-quality photo paper, which could be either matte or glossy, depending on your preference.

What color is the passport of Israel?

The current Israeli passport is navy blue. It features the Israeli national emblem in the center of the front cover, with inscriptions above in both Hebrew and English and the words “דרכון” and “PASSPORT” below the emblem. While the inner pages have some decorative elements, the main color of the passport itself remains navy blue.


  1. Passports and Travel Documents. (2024). Embassies.gov.il. https://embassies.gov.il/montreal/ConsularServices/Pages/Passports-and-Travel-Documents.aspx []

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Wences Orcales
Written by

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.

Glen Vidania
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.

Glen Vidania
Published by Visas for Future

Visas for Future strives to help you virtually, so that your research is complete in one visit. Our articles are informative, complete and to-the-point. We write in an accessible way, so that non-native English speakers will understand. Our website is accessible for the visually impaired. We have full oversight of our articles and are unbiased in writing. Check our editorial guidelines.

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Cite this article

MLA Style

Orcales, Wences. "Israel Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/israeli-passport-photo-size/. Accessed on 15 September 2023.

Chicago Style

Orcales, Wences. "Israel Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 15, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/israeli-passport-photo-size/.

Published: 15 Sep 2023 14:18 UTC

Last modified: 23 Mar 2024 20:56 UTC

Reading time: 8 minutes

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