The specifications for Malaysia passport photo are as follows:1
- Dimensions and Size
- Size: 35mm x 50mm (1.38″ x 1.97″)
- Head size: 30mm – 40mm from chin to top of the head (60% – 80% of photo space)
- Background
- Color: Plain white, no patterns, shadows, or other blemishes.
- Expression and Face Appearance
- Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, no smiling or other exaggerated expressions.
- Eyes: Open and visible, looking directly at the camera.
- Hair: Must not cover the forehead or ears. Hair accessories should be minimal and not cover the face.
- Headwear: Only allowed for religious purposes, and it must not cover the face.
- Glasses: Not allowed regardless of medical condition.
- Jewelry: Minimal and not covering the face.
- Clothing: Plain, dark-colored attire that contrasts with the white background. Avoid open shoulders, sleeveless tops, or low-cut clothing.
- Additional Points
- Photo: Must be recent (no older than 6 months).
- Quality: High-resolution, clear, and in focus, with no red-eye or digital alterations.
- Print: Use high-quality photo paper, professionally printed for best results.
- Online applications: Ensure the digital photo resolution is 413 x 591 pixels (300 DPI).
Knowing the Malaysia passport photo guide is crucial for several reasons:
- Prevents application delays and rejections: Incorrect photos are one of the leading causes of passport application delays and rejections. Knowing the requirements can avoid mistakes and ensure your photo meets all the official specifications. This saves you time, money, and frustration.
- Ensures a smooth travel experience: A valid passport with an accepted photo is essential for boarding flights, entering other countries, and passing immigration checks. Knowing the photo guide helps you avoid potential issues and delays at borders.
- Promotes consistency and security: Standardized passport photos contribute to accurate facial recognition systems used by immigration authorities. This helps with security checks and identification purposes.
- Avoids unnecessary costs: Reptaking photos or resubmitting an application due to incorrect photos can lead to additional costs. Following the guide helps you get it right the first time.
- Maintains professionalism and presentation: Your passport photo is often your first impression on immigration officials. A professional and compliant photo portrays you in a positive light.
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 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 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.
Online services for obtaining a valid Malaysian passport photo
Here’s the step-by-step process for obtaining your passport photo online:
Step 1: Visit Visas for Future and click on click on “Get Passport Photo now“ button.
Step 2: Fill out the order form
Step 3: Pay the application fee.
Step 4: Upload your photo.
Step 5: Download your Malaysian passport photo.
Tips and Recommendations for Getting Your Passport Photo Approved
Before the Photo
- Plan your outfit: Wear plain, dark-colored clothing that contrasts with the white background. Avoid busy patterns, open shoulders, or low-cut tops.
- Style your hair: Ensure your hair doesn’t cover your face or eyebrows. Opt for a neat style.
- Practice your expression: Aim for a neutral expression with your mouth closed and eyes open. Imagine a “Mona Lisa” smile.
During the Photo
- Find good lighting: Avoid harsh shadows or uneven lighting. Natural light is often best.
- Use a plain white background: No patterns, textures, or objects should be visible behind you.
- Frame your face correctly: Fill the frame with your head and shoulders, ensuring proper head size according to the guidelines.
- Center yourself and stay upright: Sit up straight, facing the camera directly, and avoid tilting your head.
- Relax and maintain a neutral expression: No smiling, frowning, squinting, or other exaggerated expressions.
- Check for red-eye and imperfections: Ensure your eyes are clear and free of red-eye. Double-check for any distractions like glare or blemishes.
It’s important to note that taking your passport photo alone may not meet government requirements. To ensure compliance, use the passport photo service provided by Visas for Future.
Photo guidelines for babies, infants, and children on Malaysian passports
Newborns and Infants (Under 4 Years Old)
- Expression: While a neutral expression is preferred, it’s understandable if newborns and infants don’t maintain it perfectly. Aim for a calm and relaxed state. Light smiles or closed eyes are generally accepted.
- Head Support: If the baby cannot hold their head up on their own, use a white cloth or blanket as support behind their head and shoulders. Ensure the cloth’s color contrasts with the baby’s clothing and doesn’t cover their face.
- Photo Assistant: Having another adult gently hold the baby’s hands or arms near their body (without being visible in the photo) can help keep them calm and positioned correctly.
- Multiple Attempts: Be prepared to take several photos as babies are unpredictable. Choose the clearest one where most of the requirements are met.
Children (Over 4 Years Old)
- Understanding: Explain the photo requirements to the child in an age-appropriate way. Encourage them to cooperate and maintain a neutral expression.
- Distractions: Use toys or games off-camera to keep the child focused and looking directly at the camera.
- Patience: Be patient and understanding if the child takes some time to cooperate. Taking breaks and trying again later might be necessary.
Additional Notes
- Hair Accessories: For young children, headbands or hair clips are allowed if they are plain and don’t cover the face or ears.
- Glasses: If your child wears glasses medically necessary, they can wear them in the photo. However, the frames should be thin and non-reflective.
- Online Applications: For online applications, ensure the digital photo resolution is appropriate for babies and young children. Some systems may require a close-up view of the face to ensure clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I wear makeup in a passport photo?
Yes, but avoid heavy makeup that alters your appearance significantly or hides blemishes.
Can I take a passport photo on my phone?
Yes. After taking your photo through your phone, you may use the Visas for Future passport photo service to ensure a government-compliant passport photo.
Can I wear my hair in a ponytail for a passport photo?
es, you can wear your hair in a ponytail for a passport photo, and it’s often recommended for individuals with long hair.
- Malaysian International Passport – Malaysian Immigration Department. (2023). Imi.gov.my. 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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MLA Style
Gajes, Apple. "Malaysia Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future, https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-size-photo-malaysia-resize/. Accessed on 21 September 2023.
Chicago Style
Gajes, Apple. "Malaysia Passport Photo Guide." Visas For Future. September 21, 2023. https://www.visasforfuture.com/passport-size-photo-malaysia-resize/.