Photos

Your photo is a vital part of your passport application. To learn more, review the information below on how to provide a suitable photo to avoid passport processing delays. The acceptance of your photo is always at the discretion of the U.S. passport agency.We recommend you use a professional passport photo service to ensure your photo meets all the requirements.Note: Photos must be 2″x 2″ in size with a background that is uniform, plain and white, and free of shadows.

Eye glasses will no longer be allowed in passport photos.

If you are applying for a U.S. Passport, you must provide one (1) photo. Your passport photo must be:

  • In color
  • Printed on photo quality paper
  • 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) in size
  • Sized such that the head is between 1 inch and 1 3/8 inches (between 25 and 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head. View the Photo Composition Template for more size requirement details.
  • Taken within the last 6 months to reflect your current appearance
  • Taken in front of a plain white or off-white background
  • Taken in full-face view directly facing the camera
  • With a neutral facial expression and both eyes open
  • Taken in clothing that you normally wear on a daily basis:
  1. Glare on glasses
    It’s tough not have glare on your glasses. It’s actually more common that you think. Glare can appear even when the camera doesn’t flash. So, it may be easier to take them off. Starting November 1, eye glasses will no longer be allowed in passport photos.
  2. Overexposed or Underexposed
    Photos that are too bright or that show shadows on your face will also cause you problems.  Your photo needs to be clear, reflecting your true skin tone.  Remember, photo filters are good for social media, not your passport photo.
  3. Photo is not recent
    Your passport photo needs to have been taken within 6 months of submitting your passport photo.  We verify that the photo looks like you.  So, save your old photos for throw-back Thursdays.
  4. Image size
    Selfies are a bad idea when it comes to passport photos.  Photos that are taken too close or too far away will be rejected. For help, use our smart photo tool.
  5. Low quality image or paper
    Photo is blurry, grainy, pixelated, or printed on the wrong paper. Photos should be high resolution and not damaged.

Review the Photo Examples to see examples of acceptable and unacceptable photos. Photos copied or digitally scanned from driver’s licenses or other official documents are not acceptable. In addition, snapshots, magazine photos, low quality vending machine or mobile phone photos, and full-length photographs are not acceptable.

List of Photo Studios in Dhaka and photo requirement for U.S. passport application. (PDF 140 KB)