The following guidelines will help you provide suitable photographs, so that your application is not delayed by having to submit new photographs in the required format.
The basics
35-40mm wide and 45-50mm high
good quality colour on high quality paper, with no ink or marks on the image
plain, light-coloured background (e.g. cream, pale blue or white)
appropriate brightness and contrast and show your skin tones naturally
uniform lighting (no shadows across or behind the face), sharp focus and clear.
hair across eyes/face
eyes closed
not looking at camera
washed out colour
pixelated
The photograph must:
show head and top of shoulders close up, so that the face measures between 32mm and 36mm from the bottom of the chin to the crown (ie top of head without hair)
show your shoulders square on (not looking over shoulder)
show your face square on (edges of face visible)
show you looking straight at the camera (not tilted head)
be taken with a neutral expression and your mouth closed (not laughing or frowning
show your eyes open and clearly visible, (no hair in eyes).
head tilted/ portrait style
flash reflection on skin
red eye
not a neutral expression
too close
too far away
too dark
too light
ink marked/creased
Head coverings
The photograph must show you without any hat or other head covering.
However, if you wear a head covering for religious reasons we will accept a photograph of you wearing it, but your facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown.
head tilted/ portrait style
full face not visible
face edges not visible
Glasses
If you usually wear glasses, you do not have to wear them for your passport photograph, but if you do:
they must show your eyes clearly
no flash reflection off the glasses
no tinted lenses
if possible avoid heavy framed glasses
frames should not cover any part of your eyes
lighter framed glasses are preferable (if possible).
heavy frames
lenses too dark
flash reflection
on lenses
frames covering eyes
Children and babies
show the baby or child awake, looking straight at the camera with mouth closed and no pacifier. Show your shoulders square on (not looking over shoulder)
show both edges of the face clearly (no toys, blankets, chair backs or other people visible) and no hair across the eyes.
