These are the exact dimensions and specifications required for a Mexican passport photo:1
Photo Size
- Dimensions: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm (approximately 1.77 inches x 1.38 inches)
- Head Size: The distance from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin should be between 31-36 mm (approximately 1.22 – 1.42 inches).
Photo Specifications
- Color: Must be in color. Black and white photos are not accepted.
- Format: Must be printed on high-quality photo paper.
- Background: Plain white background. No patterns, shadows, or objects visible.
- Pose: Front view with full face and shoulders visible. No tilting or turning of the head.
- Expression: Neutral facial expression with closed mouth and lips together. No smiling, frowning, or grimacing.
- Eyes: Open and visible, looking directly at the camera.
- Headgear: Not allowed (except for religious headwear worn daily).
- Eyeglasses: Not allowed unless medically necessary. If worn, the frames must be thin and not cover any part of the eyes.
- Clothing: Clothes should cover shoulders and upper chest. Avoid wearing clothing that blends in with the background.
- Jewelry: Large or distracting jewelry is not recommended.
- Recency: The photo must have been taken within the last six months.
- Retouching: No digital manipulation or retouching of the photo is allowed.
- Quantity of Photos: One (1).
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:
- 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.
Tips for Taking a Perfect Mexico Passport Photo using a Smartphone
Preparation
- Gather your resources: Find a plain white wall or sheet to use as a background. Ensure good natural light without harsh shadows. You also need a tripod or someone to help if using a selfie stick isn’t feasible.
Taking the Photo
- Camera settings: Set your phone camera to the highest resolution possible and turn off flash. Adjust brightness and contrast for even lighting.
- Positioning: Stand against the plain background, maintaining head-to-toe visibility. Ensure your head and shoulders are centered and straight, avoiding any tilting or turning.
- Facial expression: Maintain a neutral expression with closed lips and open eyes looking directly at the camera. No smiling, frowning, or squinting.
- Focus and framing: Use the phone’s zoom feature to ensure your head size fills about 30-36 mm (1.22-1.42 inches) of the frame, as per the requirements.
- Multiple takes: Take several photos from slightly different angles and distances to ensure at least one meets all the criteria.
Additional Tips
- Dress appropriately: Wear neutral-colored clothing that contrasts with the white background. Avoid busy patterns or clothing that blends in.
- Minimize distractions: Remove jewelry or accessories that might be too large or distracting.
- Check for glare: Ensure no light reflects off your glasses or creates unwanted shadows. If wearing glasses, consider taking them off if your vision allows.
- Proofread and print: Review your photos carefully, ensuring every detail meets the requirements. Print them on high-quality photo paper with a matte finish. Write your full name and date of birth lightly on the back of each photo with a soft pencil.
Remember, even if your photo looks good to you, the final approval rests with the Mexican authorities. To ensure you’ll meet all the requirements set by the Mexican government, use Visas for Future passport photo service. Our expert will turn your simple photo into a perfect Mexican passport photo.
Mexico Passport photo for kids and babies
Taking a Mexico passport photo for kids and babies can be tricky, but it’s definitely doable! Here are the specific requirements and tips to make sure your little one’s photo gets accepted:
General Requirements (Same as Adults)
- Dimensions: 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm (approximately 1.77 inches x 1.38 inches)
- Head Size: The top of the head to the bottom of the chin should measure between 30-36 mm (approximately 1.22 – 1.42 inches).
- Color: Must be in color.
- Format: High-quality photo paper.
- Background: Plain white, no patterns, shadows, or objects.
- Expression: Neutral with closed mouth and lips together.
- No headgear (except religious wear worn daily).
- No eyeglass frames covering eyes (if medically necessary).
- Photo taken within the last six months.
- No digital manipulation.
Tips for Kids and Babies
- Positioning
- For infants who can’t support their heads: Lay them on their backs on a plain white sheet/blanket with no shadows on their faces.
- Toddlers: They can stand or sit, ensuring their head and shoulders are visible and straight. Someone might need to hold them gently.
- Eyes
- Infants: It’s okay if their eyes aren’t fully open.
- Toddlers: Encourage them to look directly at the camera with open eyes.
- Neutral Expression
- For younger children, a relaxed, natural expression is acceptable. Avoid forced smiles or frowns.
- Distractions
- Remove distracting toys, pacifiers, or clothing that blends with the background.
- Multiple Takes
- Be patient and take several photos to capture a compliant one.
- Alternatives
- Consider professional photographers familiar with kids or dedicated smartphone apps for passport photos.
Correct and Incorrect Samples of Mexico Passport Photos
Source: Consulado General de Mexico en Frankfurt
Steps to get a Mexico 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 online using a debit or credit card.
Step 5: Upload your photo.
Step 6: Receive your photo in 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to shave My beard for a Mexican passport photo?
No, you do not have to shave your beard for a Mexican passport photo. As long as your facial hair doesn’t obscure your facial features or prevent clear identification, it’s perfectly acceptable to keep it in your photo.
Does the Mexican consulate take passport photos?
No, Mexican consulates generally do not offer passport photo services.
Can I wear a shirt in my passport photo?
Yes, you can absolutely wear a shirt in your Mexico passport photo. In fact, it’s highly recommended to wear some form of clothing that covers your shoulders and upper chest
- Mexican Visa Requirements. Tourist and short-stay business visitors. (n.d.). Retrieved February 20, 2024, from <https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/guyana/images/pdf/visareqnew.pdf> [↩]
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Cite this article
MLA Style
Gajes, Apple. "Mexico Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/mexican-passport-photo-requirements/. Accessed on 24 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Gajes, Apple. "Mexico Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 24, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/mexican-passport-photo-requirements/.