Generate a passport-style photo for Philippine travel and citizenship documents that meets Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) specifications: 35x45mm on a plain white background, ICAO-aligned head sizing, and a neutral, glasses-free pose. Most photo rejections at DFA counters and consulates abroad come from a background that isn't pure white, a head that's framed too large or too small, or a stray pair of glasses — all of which this tool corrects automatically before you download or print.
Cropping a photo to exact millimeter dimensions by eye is where most DIY attempts go wrong. Uploading here hands off the parts that are easy to get slightly wrong:
These specifications apply to the printed, passport-style photo used for consular renewals, dual citizenship applications, and similar supporting documents. They follow the ICAO-aligned standard the DFA references for biometric photos generally.
| Photo Size | 35mm x 45mm (3.5 x 4.5 cm) |
|---|---|
| Width | 35mm |
| Height | 45mm |
| Background | Plain white, no shadows or patterns (current ePassport standard — see note below) |
| Head Size | 32–36mm from chin to crown |
| Resolution | At least 300 DPI for printing; sharp focus, no compression artifacts |
| File Format | JPEG for digital upload; matte or glossy print for physical copies |
| Glasses Rules | Not permitted — prescription glasses, sunglasses, and tinted lenses must be removed |
| Expression Rules | Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, both eyebrows visible; a slight closed-mouth smile is generally tolerated |
| Photo Age | Taken within the last 6 months and reflecting current appearance |
| Digital Submission Rules | Not required for in-country DFA applications — see the DFA overview section below |
This is the part most generic passport-photo guides skip, and it matters more for the Philippines than for almost any other country on this site. For new passport applications and renewals processed at a DFA office inside the Philippines, you generally do not bring a printed photo at all. Your photo is captured digitally on-site by DFA data encoders during your appointment, as part of biometric enrollment alongside your fingerprints and signature.
That doesn't make the specifications above pointless, though. The DFA's on-site camera still enforces the same appearance rules — neutral expression, no glasses, ears and eyebrows visible, decent attire with a collar or sleeves — and showing up dressed and groomed incorrectly is one of the most common reasons applicants get turned away or asked to retake the capture. Knowing the standard before your appointment is preparation, not a wasted step.
Because the in-country ePassport process doesn't require a submitted photo, it's worth being specific about who this tool is actually for:
Yes, for the cases above where a printed or uploaded photo is actually required. A phone camera from the last several years has more than enough resolution; the details that matter are lighting, background, and distance.
Use the rear camera, not the front-facing one, for better sharpness. Have someone else take the photo rather than using a selfie or a timer with a tripod — selfie angles tend to distort facial proportions and aren't accepted for this format.
Face a window with diffuse daylight rather than direct sun. Avoid overhead lighting that casts shadows under the eyes or chin, and avoid a single side lamp that lights one half of the face more than the other.
Stand about 50cm in front of a plain white wall with no texture, artwork, or visible light switches behind you. A blank wall photographed straight-on, with no shadow falling on it from your body, gives the cleanest result.
Stand roughly 1.5 meters from the camera so your head and shoulders fill the frame without distortion. Standing too close exaggerates the nose and forehead; too far back leaves too much background to crop, which can shrink your head below the 32mm minimum after cropping.
If you need a physical copy, print at actual size — not "fit to page" — and ask for the photo to be sized at exactly 35x45mm. Most photo counters in SM, Robinsons, and similar malls can handle this format on request.
If you're preparing documents for both countries — common for Filipino-American dual citizens and applicants with US visa needs — the formats are different enough to cause mix-ups.
| Philippines | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35mm x 45mm | 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51mm) |
| Head Size | 32–36mm chin to crown | 1 to 1 3/8 inches (25–35mm) |
| Background | Plain white (current standard) | Plain white or off-white |
| Submission Format | Mostly digital, on-site capture in-country; printed for consular/visa use | Printed or digital upload, always submitted by the applicant |
| Compliance Differences | Glasses not permitted under current guidance | Glasses not permitted (since 2016 rule change) |
Note the format is rectangular for the Philippines and square for the US — a US-format photo will not pass as a Philippine one even if the head size happens to look similar.
No. The dimensions are different — 2x2 inches for the US versus 35x45mm for the Philippines — so a photo cropped for one will not fit the other's specification, even with the same source image.
The printed passport-style format is 35x45mm. Some Philippine visa categories use a different square format, so check the specific visa instructions rather than assuming the passport size applies.
As a general guideline, a photo should reflect your current appearance and be no older than about 6 months. If your appearance has changed significantly — new hairstyle, weight change, facial hair — take a new photo regardless of how recent the old one is.
Daily religious or medical head coverings are generally allowed as long as your full face remains visible from chin to forehead, with no shadow obscuring your features. Headwear worn for any other reason is typically not accepted.
35mm wide by 45mm tall (3.5 x 4.5 cm), with the head measuring 32–36mm from chin to crown, on a plain white background.
Plain white is the current standard for ePassport-era photos. Older guides referencing blue applied to earlier passport formats — default to white unless a specific form tells you otherwise.
No, under current DFA guidance. Clear contact lenses are fine; colored contacts that alter your natural eye color are not.
Generally no for in-country new and renewal applications, since the DFA captures your photo digitally on-site. Printed photos matter more for consular renewals abroad, dual citizenship, visas, and similar supporting documents.
Get a DFA-aligned 35x45mm photo with a clean white background, ready to print for your consular renewal, dual citizenship application, or visa form — no design software needed.
