Passport Photo Rules: What You Must Do to Pass Every Check

Getting a passport means one thing many people forget: the photo has to follow strict rules. A bad photo can delay your application and cost extra money. Below you’ll find the exact measurements, background tips, and common mistakes so you can snap a perfect passport picture at home or at a studio.

Size and Dimensions

In India the standard passport photo is 2 inches by 2 inches (51 mm × 51 mm). The head, from chin to top of the hair, should occupy 70‑80% of the height – roughly 1.2‑1.3 inches. Most online tools let you crop to these exact numbers; just make sure the final image is 600 × 600 pixels at 300 dpi. If you use a phone, set the camera to the highest resolution, then resize with a free app that supports exact dimensions.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do use a plain white or off‑white background with no shadows. Stand about a meter away from the wall to avoid glare. Wear normal everyday clothes – a plain shirt works best. Keep your head straight, eyes open, and mouth closed. A neutral facial expression is required; no smile, no frown.

Don’t wear sunglasses, hats, or anything that covers your face. Avoid busy patterns, logos, or bright colors. No retro filters, no heavy editing, and no digital enhancements that change your skin tone or hair color. The photo must be a true representation of how you look now.

When you’re ready to print, choose matte photo paper and let the printer keep the colors true. If you upload the image for an online passport service, the file should be a JPEG under 350 KB. Many services reject files larger than 2 MB, so compress if needed.

Here’s a quick checklist before you submit:

• 2" × 2" size, 600 × 600 px, 300 dpi
• White, flat background without shadows
• Head centered, occupying 70‑80% of height
• Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed
• No accessories, no heavy editing

Follow these steps, and you’ll avoid the common back‑and‑forth with the passport office. Need a free app to resize? Look for one that lets you set exact inches or pixels and offers a preview of the passport frame. Many people get a perfect result in under five minutes.

That’s it – a simple, no‑fluff guide to passport photo rules. Follow the measurements, keep the background plain, and stay natural. Your next passport application will go through without a hitch.