Do It Yourself Passport Photo Taking Guide

First, choose a bright location with a plain white or light grey wall. As the Selfie camera of the phones tends to deform the face, it is best to ask someone to take the picture for you.

The quality of your digital photo

Your photo must be:

• clear and in focus
• in colour
• unaltered by computer software
• the photo size should be smaller than 4000 x 3000
• The file size should be smaller that 10MB

What your photo must show

The digital photo must:

• contain no other objects or people
• be taken against a plain light-coloured background
• be in clear contrast to the background
• not have ‘red eye’

If you’re using a photo taken during your application, include your head, shoulders and upper body. Do not crop your photo - it will be done for you.

In your photo you must:

• be facing forwards and looking straight at the camera
• have a plain expression and your mouth closed
• have your eyes open and visible
• not have hair in front of your eyes
• not have a head covering (unless it’s for religious or medical reasons)
• not have anything covering your face
• not have any shadows on your face or behind you
• not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses.

Good and bad examples of digital photos

Photos of babies and children

• Children must be on their own in the picture. Babies must not be holding toys or using dummies.
• Children under 6 do not have to be looking directly at the camera or have a plain expression.
• Children under one do not have to have their eyes open. You can support their head with your hand, but your hand must not be visible in the photo.
• Children under one should lie on a plain light-coloured sheet. Take the photo from above.