Turkish Passport Photo Requirements — Complete Guide 2026

Country guide · 🇹🇷 Turkey (Türkiye) · Last verified: February 2026

Turkish passport photos use a 50×60 mm format — larger than the 35×45 mm used by most European countries, and taller than the US 2×2 inch format. The background is plain white. This guide covers the official specs, what Turkish consulates in the US accept, and the digital submission requirements.

Quick facts


Size	50×60 mm
Background	Plain white
Head height	32–36 mm (chin to crown)
Top margin	10 mm above hair
Photos required	2
Recency	Within 6 months
Glasses	Not permitted (medical exception only)
Digital format	JPEG, max 240 KB
Source	konsolosluk.gov.tr, mfa.gov.tr

The size that causes confusion — 50×60 mm, not 35×45

Turkey uses 50 mm wide × 60 mm tall — significantly larger than the 35×45 mm European standard. This is a common source of rejection for Turks applying abroad who use European-format photos, and for non-Turks applying for Turkish visas who use whatever format they're used to.

Important for applicants in the US: The Turkish consulate general in Los Angeles officially states that the US 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) format is also acceptable when applying in the United States. Check with your specific Turkish consulate — the Los Angeles guidance may not apply everywhere, but it provides useful flexibility.

Passport photo specifications

Size and dimensions

Photo size: 50 mm wide × 60 mm tall (5 × 6 cm)
Head height: 32–36 mm from chin to crown
Top margin: 10 mm between top of hair and top of photo (larger than most countries)
Face centred horizontally in the frame
Shoulders visible in the lower portion

Background

Plain white — uniform, no patterns, shadows, or textures. Some sources cite grey but the official consulate guidance specifies white. Use white to avoid any risk.

Avoid wearing white or very light clothing — it blends into the white background and causes rejection.

Expression and appearance

Expression: neutral, mouth closed. No smiling. No open mouth.
Eyes: both open, looking directly at camera. No red-eye.
Head position: straight, no tilt forward or to either side.
Glasses: not permitted unless medically documented. Some older sources say glasses with no glare are allowed — the current official position is that glasses require medical documentation. Remove glasses to be safe.
Head coverings: not permitted except for religious reasons. Full face must be visible. Dark-coloured head coverings recommended for contrast against white background.
Clothing: everyday attire. No uniforms, camouflage, or official dress. Avoid white or very light colours.
Beard and hair: allowed if part of everyday appearance. Hair must not cover eyes or shade the face.
Jewellery: allowed if it does not cover any part of the face or create reflections.

Quality

Colour only — black and white not accepted
Sharp, no blur or pixelation
Even lighting across face and background, no shadows, no overexposure
Printed on high-quality photo paper
Resolution: minimum 300 DPI (600 DPI recommended)
No digital retouching, filters, or beauty enhancements

Digital passport application

Turkey's passport applications can be submitted online through the Turkish consulate portal (konsolosluk.gov.tr). Digital photo requirements:

Format: JPEG
File size: maximum 240 KB
Background: plain white
Same face and head position requirements apply

Turkish visa photos — same 50×60 mm format

Turkish visa photos for foreign nationals applying for Turkish visas use the same 50×60 mm format with the same specifications. This includes:

Tourist visa (e-Visa)
Business visa
Student visa
Long-term residence permit photos

For the e-Visa system (evisa.gov.tr), digital photo upload is required. File size typically under 240 KB, JPEG format.

Applying at Turkish consulates in the US

Turkish consulates in the US typically accept both 50×60 mm and 2×2 inch (51×51 mm) photos — the Los Angeles consulate general explicitly states this. However:

Always confirm with your specific consulate before getting photos taken
Bring photos in both sizes if you're unsure
Turkish photo labs in major US cities (Los Angeles, New York, Chicago) are familiar with the 50×60 mm format

Major Turkish consulates in the US:

Embassy in Washington DC
Consulate General in New York
Consulate General in Los Angeles
Consulate General in Chicago
Consulate General in Houston
Consulate General in Boston

Child passport photos

Same 50×60 mm size applies to all ages.

Child must be the only person in the photo
Infants: may be photographed lying on a plain white surface
Same white background and quality requirements apply
Each child must have their own individual photo — not combined with parents

Common rejection reasons

Wrong size — using 35×45 mm European standard or 2×2 inch US standard instead of 50×60 mm
Glasses — not permitted without medical documentation
Background not white — using grey or off-white
White or light clothing blending into background
Non-neutral expression — smiling or open mouth
Head size outside 32–36 mm range
Top margin too small — Turkey requires 10 mm above hair, more than most countries
Shadows on face or background
Digital file over 240 KB for online submissions
Photo older than 6 months

Frequently asked questions

What size is a Turkish passport photo?

50 mm wide × 60 mm tall (5 × 6 cm). Head height 32–36 mm from chin to crown. Top margin of 10 mm above hair.

Is the Turkish passport photo size the same as European passport photos?

No. Turkey uses 50×60 mm. Most EU countries use 35×45 mm. These are different sizes — do not use European-format photos for Turkish applications.

Can I use a 2×2 inch US photo for a Turkish passport or visa?

At some Turkish consulates in the US (including Los Angeles), yes. The LA consulate general explicitly accepts 51×51 mm as an alternative. Check with your specific consulate before relying on this.

What background colour for Turkish passport photos?

Plain white. Some sources cite grey — the official consulate guidance says white. Use white to avoid any risk.

Can I wear glasses in a Turkish passport photo?

Not without medical documentation. Some older guidelines allowed glasses with no glare — current official position requires documentation for any glasses. Remove glasses to be safe.

What is the digital file size limit for Turkish online applications?

Maximum 240 KB, JPEG format.

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

Two printed photos for most applications. Check with your specific consulate for the exact number.