Philippine Passport Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Country guide · 🇵🇭 Philippines · Last verified: February 2026

Philippine passport photos have a background requirement that surprises most applicants: plain white — not the light blue that older DFA guides and some photo studios still use. This guide covers the current official specifications from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and what Filipinos abroad need to know.

Quick facts


Size	35×45 mm
Background	Plain white
Head height	32–36 mm (chin to crown)
Face coverage	70–80% of photo height
Photos required	2 (for printed applications)
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Not permitted
Selfies	Not accepted
Source	dfa.gov.ph

The background confusion — white, not blue

Older Philippine passport guides and some photo studios specify a "royal blue" or "light blue" background. The current DFA specification is plain white. The blue background rule applied to older machine-readable passport formats. The current DFA ePassport requires white.

If you're getting photos at a studio, confirm plain white — not blue.

Photo specifications

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall (3.5 × 4.5 cm)
Head height: 32–36 mm from chin to crown (top of head including hair)
Face coverage: 70–80% of the photo height
Both ears visible in the photo
Shoulders visible in the lower portion of the frame

Background

Plain white. Uniform, shadow-free. No patterns, textures, or objects. Good contrast between face/hair and background — avoid white or very light coloured clothing.

Expression and appearance

Expression: neutral, mouth closed. A very slight natural expression is acceptable but smiling or open mouth is not.
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera. No red-eye.
Head position: straight, facing camera directly, no tilt or rotation beyond minor angles.
Glasses: not permitted. Remove all glasses. Coloured contact lenses not permitted.
Head coverings: only for documented religious or medical reasons. Full face must be visible from chin to forehead.
Clothing: everyday attire — collared shirts or tops with clear neckline. DFA specifies no plunging necklines, sleeveless tops, spaghetti straps, or see-through fabrics. Dark or coloured clothing works best against the white background.

Quality

Full colour only
Sharp, in focus, no blur
Even lighting, no shadows on face or background
Professional photo paper — not home-printed
No digital retouching or alterations

Do you need printed photos for DFA ePassport?

For DFA ePassport applications in the Philippines, printed photos are generally not required — your photo is taken digitally by DFA data encoders during the in-person appointment. However:

Certain visa applications still require 35×45 mm printed photos
NBI clearances, school IDs, and other government documents still use the 35×45 mm format
OFW document processing (OWWA, POEA) often requires printed passport photos

Knowing the 35×45 mm standard is still essential for Filipinos regardless of whether they're applying for a passport.

For OFWs applying abroad

Overseas Filipino Workers and other Filipinos applying for Philippine passport renewal at Philippine embassies and consulates abroad need 2 printed photos (35×45 mm, white background).

Philippine consulates in the US:

Embassy in Washington DC
Consulate General in New York (serves: NY, NJ, CT, PA, DE, MD, VA, WV)
Consulate General in San Francisco (serves: CA-Northern, OR, WA, NV, HI, Guam, and Pacific territories)
Consulate General in Los Angeles (serves: CA-Southern, AZ, NV, CO, UT, NM)
Consulate General in Chicago (serves: IL, IN, OH, MI, WI, MN, IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD)
Consulate General in Honolulu
Consulate General in Houston

Consulate appointments for passport renewal fill up weeks in advance. Book early.

Child and baby passport photos

Same 35×45 mm size applies to all ages.

Child must be the only person in the photo — no hands, toys, pacifiers, or other people visible
Infants: may be placed lying on a plain white sheet. Photo taken from directly above. No shadows on face.
For infants under 1 year: eyes do not need to be fully open
Same white background and quality requirements apply

Common rejection reasons

Background not white — blue background from older guideline still used by some studios
Glasses — not permitted
Plunging necklines or sleeveless tops — DFA specifically mentions this
Selfie photo — not accepted for any Philippine passport or visa application
Head size outside 32–36 mm range
Shadows on face or background
Non-neutral expression
Photo older than 6 months
Digital retouching detected

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Philippine passport photo?

35 mm wide × 45 mm tall (3.5 × 4.5 cm). Head height 32–36 mm from chin to crown.

What background colour for Philippine passport photos?

Plain white. The older blue background specification no longer applies to current DFA ePassport applications. Confirm white with your photo studio.

Can I wear glasses in a Philippine passport photo?

No. Glasses are not permitted. Remove all glasses for the photo.

Do I need printed photos for a Philippine ePassport?

For DFA ePassport applications in the Philippines, no — your photo is taken on-site by DFA staff. However, Philippine consulates abroad still require 2 printed photos for renewal applications.

Can I use a selfie for a Philippine passport photo?

No. Selfies are not accepted for Philippine passport or visa applications. The photo must be taken by another person or on a tripod with proper lighting.

What clothing should I wear for a Philippine passport photo?

Everyday attire with a clear neckline — collared shirt recommended. DFA specifically prohibits plunging necklines, sleeveless tops, spaghetti straps, and see-through fabrics. Dark or coloured clothing works best against the white background.

How many photos do I need for a Philippine passport application?

For DFA applications in the Philippines: none — photo is taken on-site. For consulate renewal abroad: 2 identical printed photos.