Passport Photo Taking Guide

The quality of your digital photo

Your digital 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 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.