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.