Nepal Passport Photo Maker
Applying for a Nepali passport through the Department of Passports under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs means your photo has to clear strict biometric checks before it is accepted. Nepal's standard passport photo is 35mm wide by 45mm tall, shot on a plain white background with your face filling roughly 70–80% of the frame. Most rejections happen for avoidable reasons: a grey or patterned background, a head sitting too high or too low, harsh shadows, or a photo older than six months. Getting the dimensions and framing right the first time saves you a repeat trip to the enrollment center. Our Passport Photo Maker locks in the exact Nepal template so your picture is compliant before you ever submit it.
Why start here
Why Create Your Nepali Passport Photo Here
You could crop and resize a photo by hand, but Nepal's spec leaves little room for guesswork: the head height, the 3mm gap above the hair and the pure-white background all have to line up. Our maker does that measuring for you, so you skip the trial-and-error and the wasted prints.
Automatic crop
The 35×45mm frame is applied for you, so the ratio is never off by a millimetre.
Biometric framing
Your head is centred and sized to fill 70–80% of the photo, just as the standard demands.
Correct dimensions
Output is fixed to Nepal's exact measurements at print-quality 600 DPI.
Correct background
Busy or coloured backgrounds are replaced with the clean white the authority requires.
Printable photo sheet
Download a ready-to-print sheet so a local studio can hand you accepted copies.
No Photoshop required
Everything runs in your browser in seconds, no editing skills or software needed.
On this page
Quick reference
Nepal Passport Photo Requirements at a Glance
These specifications reflect the machine-readable passport (MRP) and e-passport photo standard set by the Department of Passports. Use them whether you are printing photos for an embassy application, a minor's passport or a Nepal visa form.
| Requirement | Nepal specification |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 35mm × 45mm (also written 45×35mm) |
| Width | 35 mm |
| Height | 45 mm |
| Background | Plain bright white, no shadows, borders or texture |
| Head size | Approx. 32.5mm chin-to-crown; face fills 70–80% of the frame, ~3mm above the hair |
| Resolution | 600 DPI, colour, sharp focus |
| File format | JPEG or PNG; keep digital files roughly under 300 KB |
| Glasses rules | Not allowed; remove glasses so eyes are clear with no glare (medical exceptions only) |
| Expression rules | Neutral face, mouth closed, both eyes open, looking straight at the camera |
| Photo age | Taken within the last 6 months and matching your current appearance |
| Digital submission | In-country e-passport photo is captured at the enrollment center; digital photos for embassy/visa use must be colour on white, within the size limit |
Country section
Who Issues the Nepali Passport?
Nepali passports (राहदानी, rahadani) are issued by the Department of Passports, a body under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquartered in Narayanhiti, Kathmandu. Since late 2021 Nepal has rolled out the biometric e-Passport, replacing the older machine-readable passport (MRP). Inside the country you can enroll at the Department of Passports or through District Administration Offices (DAOs), while Nepali citizens abroad apply at their nearest embassy or consulate.
Because the e-passport carries a biometric chip, the department is strict about image quality. The photo on the chip and the printed data page has to meet ICAO-aligned standards, which is why even small issues such as a slight head tilt or a shadow behind the ear can hold up your file.
Country section
Nepal e-Passport Photo Rules and Digital Submission
Here is the point that trips up many applicants: for an e-passport enrolled inside Nepal, staff capture your photograph, fingerprints and signature live at the enrollment center, so you usually do not hand in a printed photo in advance. That does not make the rules irrelevant, though.
You will still need a compliant 35×45mm white-background photo when you:
- Apply for a Nepali passport at an embassy or consulate abroad, where several countries still request submitted prints.
- Apply for a child or newborn passport, since infants cannot always be captured cleanly on-site.
- Complete a Nepal visa application, which uses the same 35×45mm format.
- Want to check your look meets the standard before your enrollment appointment so you dress and groom correctly.
Country section
The Nepali Passport Application Process
The typical route for an e-passport looks like this:
- Apply online through the Department of Passports portal, fill in your details and pay the fee.
- Book an appointment at the Department of Passports, a District Administration Office, or a Nepali mission abroad.
- Carry your documents, most importantly your Nepali citizenship certificate (नागरिकता) and, for renewals, your existing passport.
- Enroll your biometrics, where your photo, fingerprints and signature are captured (or your prepared photo is submitted abroad).
- Collect your passport once processing is complete, choosing standard or fast-track service where available.
A photo that already meets the standard keeps this process smooth, especially for embassy and minor applications where a rejected picture means starting the paperwork again.
Country section
Child & Newborn Passport Photo Rules
Babies and young children get their own passports in Nepal, and their photos follow the same 35×45mm white-background rule as adults. The catch is that the biometric expectations are hard to meet with an infant, so a few practical allowances apply.
- Lay the child on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above to get an even background.
- No dummies, toys, hands or other people should appear in the frame.
- A neutral expression is preferred, but a closed-mouth, eyes-open baby photo is generally accepted.
- Support the child so the head faces forward, without a supporting arm showing in the picture.
Our maker crops and recentres a child's photo to the correct proportions so you are not fighting the ratio by hand.
Country section
Photo Rules When Renewing Your Nepali Passport
Renewing an expiring MRP or e-passport uses the same photo standard as a first-time application. The key rule is currency: your renewal photo must be recent (within six months) and reflect how you look now, not how you looked when the old passport was issued.
- Take a fresh photo if your appearance has changed, for example a beard, major weight change or new hairstyle.
- Do not reuse the scanned image from your previous passport.
- Keep the same 35×45mm size, white background and neutral expression.
- For in-country renewal, your new biometric photo is captured at the center as part of enrollment.
Avoid these
Why Nepal Passport Photos Get Rejected
Nearly every rejection at a Nepali passport counter or embassy comes down to one of these issues:
- Incorrect dimensions – a photo that is not a true 35×45mm crop.
- Wrong background – grey, cream, blue or a patterned wall instead of clean white.
- Head too large – the face is cropped tight and overflows the safe zone.
- Head too small – the subject sits far back and fills less than 70% of the frame.
- Shadows – shading on the face or a shadow cast on the wall behind you.
- Glasses glare – reflections or frames hiding the eyes.
- Old photo – an image more than six months old or one that no longer matches your look.
- Poor lighting – overexposed, dim or unevenly lit faces.
- Digital editing issues – beauty filters, smoothed skin or altered features that break the biometric match.
DIY guide
Can I Take My Nepal Passport Photo at Home?
Yes. You do not need a studio to get an accepted Nepali passport photo. A modern phone camera is more than sharp enough, provided you set the scene properly and let the maker handle the framing.
Phone camera
Use the rear camera, not the selfie lens, and shoot at the highest resolution so the file stays crisp at 600 DPI.
Lighting
Face a window or soft daylight so the light is even. Avoid overhead bulbs that drop shadows under the eyes and nose.
Background
Stand about half a metre in front of a plain white wall. Our tool cleans the background, but a lighter start gives the best result.
Distance from camera
Have someone shoot from around 1 to 1.5 metres away at eye level, rather than holding the phone at arm's length, which distorts the face.
Printing
Download the print sheet and use glossy photo paper at a studio or a good home printer so colours and sizing stay true.
Common mistakes
Tilting the head, smiling, wearing a white top that blends into the background, or standing too close to the wall so a shadow appears.
Side by side
Nepal vs US Passport Photo
Travellers often ask whether a Nepal photo works for a US application. It does not – the two standards differ in size, shape and framing, so a photo built for one will be rejected by the other.
| Feature | Nepal passport photo | US passport photo |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35mm × 45mm (rectangular) | 51mm × 51mm / 2×2 inches (square) |
| Head size | Approx. 32.5mm, ~70–80% of frame | 25–35mm (1–1⅓ inch) chin to crown |
| Background | Plain white | Plain white or off-white |
| Submission format | Printed for embassy/visa; captured on-site for in-country e-passport | Printed 2×2 photo, plus digital upload for online renewals |
| Key difference | Rectangular, taller crop | Square crop with a larger printed area |
Because our maker stores both templates, you can generate a compliant photo for each country from the same source image.
Step by step
How to Create a Nepal Passport Photo, Step by Step
Here is how to use the Nepal passport photo maker in five quick steps, start to finish, in under a minute.
Upload
Add a clear, front-facing photo from your phone or computer using the upload box above.
Crop
The tool applies the exact 35×45mm Nepal frame and positions your head to the right size automatically.
Background
Your background is replaced with the clean white the Department of Passports requires.
Verify
Check the live compliance preview for head size, framing and lighting before you commit.
Download
Save a single digital photo or a print-ready sheet for the studio, or your visa form.
Compliance Notice
Passport photo requirements may change without notice. Always verify the latest rules with the official Department of Passports (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) or your nearest Nepali embassy before submitting.
Passport Photo Maker helps you create photos that match published specifications, but final approval of any photo rests with the issuing authority.
Answers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many passport photos do I need to submit?
It depends on where you apply. Embassy applications and minors' passports typically ask for two to four identical prints, while an in-country e-passport enrollment captures your photo digitally at the center. Printing a small sheet of extras keeps you covered for visa and supporting forms.
Can I wear glasses in a passport photo?
As a rule, no. Glasses should be removed so both eyes are clearly visible without glare or heavy frames. If you must wear them for a documented medical reason, the lenses have to be clear and free of tint or reflection.
What should I wear for a passport photo?
Wear everyday clothing in a colour that contrasts with the white background, so avoid white or very pale tops. Uniforms are not accepted, and head coverings are only allowed for religious reasons as long as they do not cover the face or cast shadows.
How recent does my passport photo need to be?
Take it within the last six months so it reflects your current appearance. If your look has changed noticeably, use a fresh photo to avoid a mismatch at the counter.
What is the Nepal passport photo size?
The Nepal passport photo size is 35mm wide by 45mm tall (written as 45x35mm), printed in colour on a plain white background. Your head should measure around 32.5mm from chin to crown and fill roughly 70 to 80 percent of the frame.
Do I need to bring a photo for a Nepal e-passport?
For e-passport enrollment inside Nepal, the Department of Passports captures your biometric photo live at the center, so a printed photo is usually not needed in advance. A compliant 35x45mm photo is still required for applications at Nepali embassies abroad, for minors, and for Nepal visa forms.
What background colour is required for a Nepali passport photo?
A plain, bright white background with no shadows, textures, borders or objects behind you. Grey, cream and off-white backgrounds are a frequent cause of rejection.
Can I use the same photo for a Nepal passport and a Nepal visa?
Both use the same 35x45mm size and white background, so a photo prepared for one usually satisfies the other. Keep separate prints for each application, and remember that an in-country e-passport captures its own image at the enrollment center.