Cyprus Passport Photo Maker
Getting a Cyprus passport photo right the first time saves you a wasted trip to the district office. The Civil Registry and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior applies strict biometric standards, and every photo is measured to the millimetre before an application is accepted. A Cypriot passport photo must be 35x45mm, shot against a plain light background, with your head filling roughly 70–80% of the frame. Most rejections trace back to small slips: a shadow behind the head, a tilted face, glare on glasses, or an image older than six months. Because Cyprus writes your portrait to a biometric chip, compliance is not optional — it decides whether your booklet is issued on time.
Skip the manual editing headache
Trying to hit a 35x45mm crop and a 31.5–36mm head height by hand is fiddly and easy to get wrong. Uploading to Passport Photo Maker does the technical work for you and produces a file the Cyprus authority will actually accept.
Automatic crop
Your photo is trimmed to the exact 35x45mm Cypriot ratio, no rulers or guesswork.
Biometric framing
The head is aligned to the 31.5–36mm chin-to-crown zone and centred correctly.
Correct dimensions
Width, height and resolution are locked to Cyprus biometric specifications.
Correct background
Busy or coloured backgrounds are replaced with a clean, uniform light backdrop.
Printable sheet
Export a single photo or a 10x15cm sheet ready for any Cypriot photo printer.
No Photoshop needed
Everything runs in your browser — no software, no design skills required.
Cyprus passport photo requirements
These specifications reflect the biometric standard used for Cypriot passports. Confirm the current figures with the Civil Registry and Migration Department before you submit.
| Photo size | 35 x 45 mm (3.5 x 4.5 cm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 35 mm |
| Height | 45 mm |
| Background | Plain, uniform light grey or white — no shadows, patterns or objects |
| Head size | 31.5–36 mm chin to crown (about 70–80% of the frame); top of head roughly 3 mm from the upper edge |
| Resolution | High resolution, ~600 DPI, sharp and in focus with no pixelation |
| File format | Colour JPEG for digital use; printed copies on quality photo paper |
| Glasses | Preferably removed; if worn, no glare, no tinted lenses, frames must not cover the eyes |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes open, facing the camera directly |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months |
| Digital submission | Own photo accepted if it meets specifications; biometric capture is completed in person, with the gov.cy platform used where eligible |
Passport authority overview
Cypriot passports are issued by the Civil Registry and Migration Department (CRMD), which sits under the Ministry of Interior in Nicosia. Issuance is governed by the Civil Registry Law, and the department oversees the biometric booklet that Cypriot citizens carry across the EU and worldwide.
Because Cyprus is a European Union member state, its passport follows the EU and ICAO biometric framework. Your facial image is stored on a secure chip, which is exactly why the photo standard is enforced so tightly — the portrait has to work with automated facial verification at borders, not just look correct to a human clerk.
Cyprus passport application process
Whether you are applying for the first time or replacing an expiring booklet, the flow is broadly the same:
- Prepare your documents and a compliant 35x45mm photo before your appointment.
- Apply through a CRMD District Office, a Citizen Service Centre (KEP), or start online via the gov.cy platform.
- Attend in person so authorised officers can capture your biometric data (fingerprints and signature). Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints.
- Pay the applicable fee — an accelerated issuance option is available if you need the passport quickly.
- Cypriots living abroad apply through a Diplomatic Mission of the Republic of Cyprus, with biometrics still taken in person.
You may bring your own photo, provided it meets the published specifications. Preparing it in advance with Passport Photo Maker means one less thing that can hold up your appointment.
Country-specific photo rules
Beyond the headline 35x45mm size, Cyprus applies the finer biometric points that trip most applicants up:
- Head position: the crown-to-chin distance sits between 31.5mm and 36mm, centred horizontally.
- Head coverage: your face should occupy about 70–80% of the vertical frame — not floating small, not cropped tight.
- Lighting: even lighting on both sides of the face, with no hotspots on the forehead or shadow under the chin.
- Background: a single flat tone, light grey or white, with no gradient or texture.
- Colour and clarity: a true-colour image, in sharp focus, with natural skin tones and no filters.
- Head coverings: only permitted for religious reasons, and the full face from chin to forehead must remain visible.
Can I Take My Cyprus Passport Photo at Home?
Yes. A phone shot works well for a Cyprus passport photo as long as you get the basics right, then let the tool handle the sizing and background.
Phone camera
Use the rear camera of a modern smartphone, not the front selfie lens, which distorts facial proportions. Shoot in the highest quality setting.
Lighting
Face a window with soft daylight or use two even light sources. Avoid overhead lighting that casts shadows under the eyes and nose.
Background
Stand about half a metre in front of a plain light wall so no shadow falls behind you. The tool can replace the backdrop, but a clean start always gives a sharper result.
Distance from camera
Keep the camera at eye level, roughly one to one and a half metres away, and frame from the chest up. Getting too close bends your features.
Printing
If you need a hard copy, print on photo-quality paper at true 35x45mm size, or use the ready-made sheet from Passport Photo Maker.
Common mistakes
- Selfie-lens distortion and arm-length framing
- A shadow on the wall behind the head
- Uneven light causing one side of the face to darken
- Tilting the head or looking off to the side
Child passport photo requirements
Children need their own Cypriot passport, and the photo rules are the same 35x45mm biometric standard, with sensible allowances for age:
- No other person, hand, toy or dummy may be visible in the frame.
- Babies can be photographed lying on a plain light sheet, shot from directly above.
- The face should be clear, eyes open where possible, with mouth closed and a neutral expression.
- No headwear or props, and nothing covering the face.
- The plain, uniform background rule still applies — the background remover helps enormously with a wriggling toddler.
Remember that children under 12 are exempt from providing fingerprints, but a compliant facial photo is still required.
Passport renewal photo rules
Renewal is not an excuse to reuse your old picture. Cyprus requires a fresh photo for every renewal so the biometric image reflects how you look today:
- Supply a new photo taken within the last six months, even if your appearance has barely changed.
- The same 35x45mm size, plain background and neutral expression apply as for a first-time application.
- A significant change in appearance — growing or removing a beard, new glasses habits — is a good reason to update sooner.
- Eligible applicants can begin the renewal through the gov.cy platform, then attend in person for biometric capture.
Cyprus vs US passport photo
If you have made a US photo before, do not assume the same file works for Cyprus. The two standards differ in almost every dimension:
| Feature | Cyprus passport photo | US passport photo |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35 x 45 mm | 51 x 51 mm (2 x 2 in) |
| Head size | 31.5–36 mm chin to crown (~70–80% of frame) | 25–35 mm chin to crown (~50% of frame) |
| Background | Plain light grey or white | Plain white or off-white |
| Expression | Neutral only, mouth closed | Neutral or a natural smile is accepted |
| Submission format | Own photo accepted; biometrics captured in person, gov.cy where eligible | Printed 2x2 in, or digital upload for online renewals |
| Compliance basis | EU / ICAO biometric framework | US Department of State standard |
The biggest catch is size: a square 2x2 inch US photo can never be cropped cleanly into a 35x45mm Cyprus frame without redoing it. Start from the correct Cyprus template instead.
How to Create a Cyprus Passport Photo Maker
Upload
Choose a clear, front-facing photo from your phone or camera. The editor opens with the Cyprus 35x45mm template already selected.
Crop
Auto-crop aligns your head to the 31.5–36mm biometric zone and centres your face inside the frame.
Background
One tap removes a busy or coloured backdrop and replaces it with a compliant plain light background.
Verify
The built-in checker flags shadows, head tilt, glasses glare and framing problems before you finalise.
Download
Export a single 35x45mm image for online use, or a print-ready 10x15cm sheet for a local photo printer.
Common rejection reasons
Cypriot applications are most often returned for the same handful of avoidable issues:
- Incorrect dimensions — the photo is not a true 35x45mm
- Head too large and cropped, or too small and floating in the frame
- Shadows on the face or cast onto the background
- A coloured, patterned or non-uniform background
- Glare or reflection on glasses, or tinted lenses hiding the eyes
- Smiling, an open mouth, or a non-neutral expression
- Hair or a head covering obscuring part of the face
- A photo older than six months, or reused from a previous document
- Over-editing — beauty filters or retouching that alters your features
- Low resolution, poor lighting or a blurry, pixelated image
Compliance notice: Passport photo requirements can change without notice. Always verify the current specifications with the Civil Registry and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior before you submit.
Passport Photo Maker helps you produce a photo that meets the published Cyprus standards, but final approval always rests with the issuing authority.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Cyprus passport photo?
Where do I submit my Cyprus passport application and photo?
Does Cyprus accept a white or grey background?
Are Cyprus passport photos taken in person for the biometric chip?
How recent does my passport photo need to be?
Can I smile in my passport photo?
Do I have to remove my glasses?
Can I use a photo taken on my phone?
Create Your Cyprus Passport Photo Maker Now
Don't risk a return trip to the district office. Upload your photo and let Passport Photo Maker size it to 35x45mm, fix the background and frame your head to the Cypriot biometric standard — ready in seconds.