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The Challenge
Ireland requires 35×45mm photos for passport, visa, and Age Card applications with strict head height (29-34mm), matte paper, and photos taken within the last 6 months. One wrong measurement = automatic rejection and weeks of delay.
One photo format for Irish passports, visas, and Age Cards
Ireland uses standardized 35×45mm photos for passport applications (new, renewal, child), all visa types (work permits, student visas, visitor visas), and Age Card applications. Same dimensions, same head height requirements, same background rules. Create one compliant photo and use it for multiple applications within the 6-month validity period.
Irish passport photo requirements - will your photo be accepted?
- Taken within last 6 months (photos older than 6 months will be rejected)
- 35×45mm dimensions with head height 29-34mm (use crop guidelines)
- Light grey, cream, or off-white background with no shadows
- Face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Eyes open and fully visible (no hair covering)
- No glasses unless medical exemption with signed statement
- At least 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI for printing
- No filters, beauty mode, or digital alterations
- Printed on matte photo paper (glossy not accepted)
Common rejection reasons by Department of Foreign Affairs
- Photo older than 6 months (most common rejection)
- Head too small or too large (must be 29-34mm from chin to crown)
- Shadows visible on face or background
- Wearing glasses without medical documentation from GP
- Hair covering eyebrows or eyes
- Smiling with teeth showing (neutral expression required)
- Low resolution causing pixelation when printed
- Using glossy paper instead of required matte finish
- Background too dark or has patterns/objects visible
How to print Irish passport photos at home
- Paper: Use matte photo-quality paper (required by Department of Foreign Affairs). Available at Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Eason, or online.
- Printer settings: Select highest quality, 100% scale (no 'fit to page'), colour mode.
- Paper size: Choose 4R (102×152mm) for 4-6 photos, or A4 for larger sheets.
- Cutting: Use sharp scissors or paper trimmer. Cut precisely along grey guide lines.
- Size verification: Final photos must measure exactly 35×45mm. Use ruler to confirm.
- Alternative: No printer? Print at local photo shop (€5-12 for 4 photos), or Boots/Tesco photo counter.
Taking passport photos of babies and children
- Setup: Lay baby on plain light-coloured blanket on floor. Use white, cream, or light grey blanket.
- Lighting: Natural window light or even overhead lighting. Avoid direct flash. No shadows on face or background.
- Position: Photograph from directly above with baby's face centred in frame.
- Irish rules: Babies under 6 months don't need eyes open. Children under 6 don't need neutral expression.
- Support: Hand supporting head must not be visible. Position hand behind or under head outside frame.
- Props: Remove soothers/pacifiers, toys, bottles from frame. Baby must be alone in photo.
- Timing: Take photos when baby is calm and alert. Multiple attempts normal—expect 10-20 shots.
Irish visa photo requirements
Ireland visa applications (work permits, student visas, visitor visas, family reunification) use identical 35×45mm specifications as passports. Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) requires photos taken within last 6 months, matte paper, head height 29-34mm. You can use the same photo for visa and passport applications if taken within 6 months. Digital submissions accept JPEG files; postal applications require printed photos on matte paper.
Age Card photo specifications
Age Card (Garda Age Card) applications use 35×45mm passport photo specifications. National Age Card scheme accepts photos matching Department of Foreign Affairs passport standards: matte paper, light background, head 29-34mm, taken within 6 months. One photo set works for Age Card, passport, and visa applications.
Good vs bad Irish passport photo examples
Cost comparison: DIY vs photo services in Ireland
- Professional studio: €12-20 for 4 photos
- Boots Photo Service: €9-14 for 4 photos
- Local camera shop: €8-15 for 4 photos
- Post Office passport photo service: €10-16 depending on location
- This tool: Free. Print at home for €0.30-0.60 per sheet (matte paper + ink)
- Savings: €8-20 per application. Family of four saves €32-80 using DIY approach.
Passport Online vs postal applications
Ireland offers two application methods: Passport Online (digital submission) and postal applications. Passport Online accepts JPEG files (826×1063 pixels minimum, under 9MB), no physical photo needed. Postal applications require two identical printed photos on matte paper. This tool generates both: download single JPEG for online applications, or print sheet for postal submissions. Passport Online processing is faster (10-15 working days vs 15-20 for postal).
Need SPSV Driver or Taxi Licence photo?
Ireland uses different 70×100mm format for SPSV Driver Licence and Taxi Licence applications. National Transport Authority (NTA) has separate requirements. This tool is for passport/visa photos (35×45mm). For SPSV licence photos, use the dedicated SPSV tool.
Official Irish Government Resources
- Passport Photo Guidelines - Department of Foreign Affairs Official photo requirements and specifications from Irish Department of Foreign Affairs
- Passport Online Application Portal Apply for Irish passport online - accepts digital photo uploads (715×951px minimum)
- INIS - Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Visa applications and immigration services for Ireland
- National Age Card Application Apply for Garda Age Card using passport photo specifications
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload and Position Head
Select Enhancement Version
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm
- Resolution
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Head Height
- 29-34 mm (64-76% of frame)
- Background
- Light grey, cream, or off-white
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- Matte photo paper (required)
- Valid For
- Passport, visa, Age Card
Best Practices
- Irish photos are valid for 6 months—one photo works for passport, visa, and Age Card if all applied within 6 months
- Matte paper is required—glossy paper will be rejected by Department of Foreign Affairs
- Light grey or cream backgrounds often work better than pure white for pale skin tones
- Use crop guidelines to ensure head height is 29-34mm (automatic rejection if outside this range)
- Remove glasses unless you have signed medical exemption letter from GP
- For Passport Online, download single photo as JPEG (826×1063 pixels, under 9MB)
- For postal applications, print 4R sheet with 4-6 copies on matte paper and cut along grey lines
- Babies under 6 months don't need eyes open (Irish-specific rule)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Irish passport photo requirements?
Irish passport photos must be 35×45mm, taken within the last 6 months, on matte photo paper with light grey/cream/off-white background. Head must be 29-34mm from chin to crown (64-76% of frame height), face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and visible. No glasses unless medical exemption from GP.
Can I use the same photo for Irish passport and visa?
Yes. Irish passport, visa applications, and Age Card all use identical 35×45mm specifications. One photo works for all applications as long as it's less than 6 months old and printed on matte paper.
How recent must Irish passport photos be?
Within the last 6 months. This is the standard for Department of Foreign Affairs. Photos older than 6 months will be rejected.
What paper type for Irish passport photos?
Matte photo paper is required by Department of Foreign Affairs. Glossy paper will be rejected. Print on matte finish at home or request matte paper at photo services.
Can I wear glasses in Irish passport photos?
No, unless required for medical reasons with a signed GP statement. Even with medical exemption: no tinted lenses, no glare or reflection, frames must not cover eyes.
Do babies need eyes open in Irish passport photos?
No. Babies under 6 months don't need to have eyes open. Children under 6 also don't need neutral expressions. This is Irish-specific relaxation of ICAO standards.
Can I use this for Passport Online applications?
Yes. Download single photo as JPEG (826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI, under 9MB). Upload directly to Passport Online system. No physical photo needed for online applications.
Where can I print Irish passport photos?
Print at home on matte photo paper (cheapest: €0.30-0.60 per sheet), or print at Boots (€9-14), local camera shop (€8-15), Tesco photo counter, or any photo service. Always specify matte finish.
What's the difference between Irish passport and SPSV licence photos?
Passport/visa use 35×45mm format. SPSV Driver Licence and Taxi Licence use larger 70×100mm format with different specifications. They are completely different photo types—use the correct tool for each.
Can I use this for Irish visa applications?
Yes. All Irish visa types (work permits, student visas, visitor visas, family reunification) use 35×45mm passport photo specifications. INIS (Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service) accepts same format as Department of Foreign Affairs passport photos.