If you recently submitted a photo to the Immigration Department of Malaysia and received a rejection, you should have received an email explaining the reasons for the rejection. This email will provide you with valuable information to help you understand the issue and what you need to do to fix it.
If a passport renewal photo was rejected in Malaysia, there are several reasons why it may have been denied. The most common reasons include:
- Incorrect photo size or dimensions. The photo must be 35mm x 50mm (1.38 inches x 1.97 inches), with a head size measuring between 25mm and 30mm (0.98 inches and 1.38 inches) from the top of the head to the bottom of the chin.
- Incorrect facial expression. The applicant must have a neutral expression, mouth closed and eyes open. They must also be facing the camera directly, with no shadows on their face.
- Incorrect background. The background of the photo must be plain white.
- Incorrect clothing or accessories. The applicant must wear dark-colored clothing and remove any hats, sunglasses, or other accessories that cover their face.
- Other technical issues. The photo must be in color, clear, and in focus. It must also be recent, taken within the past six months.
To avoid getting your Malaysia passport photo rejected, you must understand the general rules of Malaysian Immigration regarding passport photos. Here’s what to keep in mind:1
- Size: Make sure it is sized at 35mm x 50mm and has a white background without any shadows.
- Capturing: The photographs will be taken in the passport section using the Facial Live Capture tool, which is an automated system that captures facial biometrics data.
- Dark-Colored Clothing: wear dark-colored clothing that covers your shoulders and chest to ensure that the system captures only the face and nothing else.
- Proper Pose: When taking the photo, look directly at the camera, with your eyes open and your mouth closed.
- Accessories: Avoid wearing glasses or eyeglasses, as they may obstruct the facial features and make the picture unclear.
- For those who wear a hijab, wear a dark-colored hijab that covers your head and neck, but does not cover your forehead.
- The wearing of eyeglasses and glasses is not allowed while taking pictures.
- The photo should show your entire face, including your forehead, eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Lightning: Ensure that the picture does not have any shadows or uneven lighting.
- Note: Specifications for photographs of children under 4 years.
- A 35mm x 50mm photo with a WHITE background without a shadow
- Passport bearer’s face size is a minimum of 25-30mm (50% – 60% of the photo space size according to ICAO).
If you have more questions about Malaysia passport photo and you want to ensure that your photo meets the required standards for immigration purposes in Malaysia, Visas for Future offers passport photo services. Our team of experts will guide you through every step of the process to ensure that your photo is of the highest quality and meets all the necessary specifications.
We’re your friendly and reliable partner in the passport application process, and we’re committed to providing you with the best possible service. Let us help you get your Malaysian passport photo done quickly, easily, and hassle-free!
The specific dimensions and specifications for Passport Malaysia photo guide are as follows:1
- Size: 35mm wide x 50mm high (1.38 inches x 1.97 inches)
- Color: Color only
- Background: White
- Head position: Centered and forward facing, with the head taking up 50% – 60% of the photo space size according to ICAO.
- Expression: Neutral, with the mouth closed and eyes open
- Glasses: Wearing of eyeglasses and glasses is not allowed.
- Headgear: Not acceptable, except for religious or medical reasons (does not cover your forehead, must be dark-colored)
- Clothing: Must wear dark-colored clothing that covers your shoulders and chest
- Recency: Taken within the last six (6) months
- Quantity: Two (2) identical copies
Visas for Future Passport Photo Service
If you need a passport photo that meets the requirements of your application, you may use the Visas for Future passport photo service. You just need to follow our guidelines to take a photo of yourself, send it to us, and we’ll make the necessary edits. We offer two delivery options: we can send your passport photos by post with free shipping, or we can email them to you, 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.
Reason for Rejection of Malaysian Passport Renewal Photo
Here are the common reasons why Malaysian passport photos may be rejected:
- Invalid size or format: Make sure you get the size and shape right before submitting your photo, or it may be rejected immediately, even if the rest of the requirements are fulfilled.
- Poor image quality: Passport pictures are used to identify you, so images must be of good quality, without any defects or distortions.
- Face covered with hair or hair accessories: Ensure your face is fully visible by pulling your hair back and wearing a hijab without covering your forehead.
- Face too emotive: A neutral facial expression is recommended during ID photo shooting as it is an expression you are most likely to hold throughout the day.
- Too much retouching: Avoid retouching your pictures to the point that your facial features are distorted.
- Inappropriate clothing: Smart casual is usually recommended, and outfits that cover your chest and shoulders are best.
- Strong shadows on the face: Make sure you have good, balanced lighting when taking your photo.
- Incorrect background: Passport photos usually require plain backgrounds, often of neutral colors.
What to do when your passport photo is rejected for your Malaysian passport renewal?
When your Malaysian passport renewal photo gets rejected, follow these steps:
- Determine the reason for rejection: Check the notification you received from the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
- Reasons for rejection may include incorrect size or dimensions, improper lighting or background, facial expressions or headwear, or blurry/low-quality images.
- Review the official photo guidelines: Carefully review the guidelines to ensure your new photo meets all specifications.1
- Size: Make sure it is 35mm x 50mm with a white background and no shadows.
- Capturing: Use the Facial Live Capture tool in the passport section.
- Clothing: Wear dark-colored clothing that covers your shoulders and chest.
- Pose: Look directly at the camera with your eyes open and mouth closed.
- Accessories: Avoid glasses or eyeglasses and wear a dark-colored hijab that doesn’t cover your forehead.
- Lightning: Ensure there are no shadows or uneven lighting.
- Take a new photo: Retake your photo based on the rejection reason.
- You can either use a professional photographer or take it yourself.
- Ensure a plain white or light grey background, even lighting, and a neutral expression.
- Colored backgrounds will not be accepted.
- If you wear a scarf or hijab, please ensure that it is a dark-colored one.
- The photo you upload must have been taken at a professional photo studio and must be provided in the format requested by the studio.
- Please note that Polaroid pictures will not be accepted.
- Resubmit the photo:
- If you applied online, you can re-upload your photo using the official website of Malaysia Immigration E-Service.
- If you applied offline, visit the nearest Immigration Department office and submit the new photo along with your application.
Additional tips:
- Seek professional help if unsure about any aspect.
- Ensure the photo is recent, typically within the past six (6) months.
- Avoid headwear and jewelry unless for religious purposes with prior approval.
- Maintain a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes open.
Correct and Incorrect Malaysian Passport Photo Sample
Correct
Incorrect
Source: PUTRA International Centre (i-PUTRA)
How to resubmit My application?
To resubmit your Malaysian passport renewal application, here are two options:
- Passport Renewal Online: You can visit the Malaysian Immigration MyOnline Passport E-Service and submit your application.
Choose MyOnline Passport and fill out the needed information before re-uploading.
- Passport Renewal by Appointment: If you fall under any of the following categories, you will need to visit a Passport Recipient and Issuance Office in person.
- You have left Malaysia illegally and are a Malaysian citizen.
- Your current passport is lost, damaged, or has already expired.
- You are a student and continuing to study.
- You are a child under 13 or applying on behalf of one.
- You are a person with disabilities (OKU).
- You receive a message saying, ‘Please Refer to the Immigration Office’ when you try to apply online.
- You are a senior citizen (over the age of 60) who wants to take advantage of the lower application fee. You don’t need to make an appointment, as walk-in slots are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my photo is rejected?
If the photo you submit does not meet the required specifications, your application will be temporarily suspended. You will then be asked to either resubmit a new photo that meets the specifications or visit a passport office to have a photo taken there.
What is the most common reason for rejecting an image?
There could be several grounds for the rejection of a passport photo. Commonly the photo may lack clarity or fail to conform to the prescribed guidelines regarding size and lighting.
How long does it take to know if a passport photo is rejected?
Notification about a rejected Malaysian passport photo may take a few days to a couple of weeks to arrive, depending on whether you submitted your application online or offline. Online applicants may expect an email notification within a few days, while offline applicants should be prepared for a less predictable timeframe.
- Official Portal Immigration Department of Malaysia Ministry of Home Affairs.(2021). Malaysia International Passport. Retrieved at https://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/main-services/passport/malaysian-international-passport/ [↩] [↩] [↩]
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Written by
Apple Gajes 
Apple is a skilled content writer of Visas For Future who had a bachelor's degree in Education. She does well at producing high-quality visa articles and continuously upgrading her skills by actively engaging herself to various courses and training opportunities. She also contributes to travel forms and visa fulfillment in Turkey and India. Committed to writing exceptional visa articles, she performs real visa orders and provides customer support quarterly to stay abreast of the visa processing process.
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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Gajes, Apple. "Malaysia Passport Renewal Photo Rejected." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-renewal-photo-rejected-malaysia/. Accessed on 20 September 2023.
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Gajes, Apple. "Malaysia Passport Renewal Photo Rejected." Visas For Future. September 20, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-renewal-photo-rejected-malaysia/.