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The Challenge
Philippine passport requires 35×45mm photos with a royal blue background—unlike most countries that use white. DFA strictly enforces collared attire, no glasses, no jewelry, and head height 32-36mm. Professional studios charge ₱150-300. Wrong background colour or attire = automatic rejection and rebooking your DFA appointment.
Royal blue background required — not white
- Philippine passports require royal blue or dark blue background — this is different from most countries
- White, grey, cream, or other backgrounds will be rejected by DFA
- You MUST photograph against a royal blue backdrop before uploading to this tool
- Use a royal blue fabric sheet, poster board, or professional backdrop
- This tool crops and enhances your photo but does not change the background colour
Philippine ePassport photo requirements
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) requires 35×45mm biometric photos for all Philippine ePassport applications — new, renewal, and replacement. Photos must comply with ICAO Document 9303 standards with Philippines-specific modifications: royal blue background, collared attire, and no glasses whatsoever. Head height must measure 32-36mm (70-80% of frame height) with a 5mm gap between the top of the hair and the photo edge. Four identical photos are required per application. Biometric capture (digital photograph and fingerprints) also occurs in-person at the DFA office on your appointment date, but submitted photos must still meet all specifications.
DFA passport photo requirements — will your photo be accepted?
- 35×45mm dimensions (3.5×4.5 cm) — NOT 2×2 inches
- Royal blue or dark blue background — no white, grey, or cream
- Head height 32-36mm from chin to crown (70-80% of frame)
- 5mm gap between top of hair and edge of photo
- Taken within last 6 months reflecting current appearance
- Face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Both eyes open and clearly visible
- Both ears visible — no hair covering ears
- No glasses at all — not even prescription glasses
- No coloured contact lenses
- No jewelry — no earrings, necklaces, or visible accessories
- Collared shirt or decent clothing (mandatory) — see attire rules
- No uniforms of any kind
- No headwear unless religious or medical (face must remain fully visible)
- Colour photo — no black and white
- Even lighting, no shadows on face or background
- No digital filters, beauty mode, or alterations
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI minimum for print
- Printed on matte or glossy photo paper
- Four identical copies required
DFA attire rules — strict enforcement
- REQUIRED: Collared shirt, polo shirt, blouse with collar, or decent attire
- PROHIBITED: Sleeveless tops, spaghetti straps, tank tops, tube tops, halter tops
- PROHIBITED: Plunging necklines, see-through tops, turtlenecks without collar
- PROHIBITED: Uniforms (military, school, work, organizational)
- Clothing must contrast with the royal blue background — avoid blue clothing
- Light-coloured clothing recommended for contrast against dark blue background
Common DFA rejection reasons
- Wrong background — white or grey instead of royal blue (most common rejection)
- No collar on attire — sleeveless, tank top, or casual wear
- Wearing glasses (any type, including prescription)
- Wearing jewelry — earrings, necklaces, or visible accessories
- Head size outside 32-36mm range
- Wearing coloured contact lenses
- Photo not showing both ears
- Smiling with teeth or unnatural expression
- Shadows on face or background
- Photo older than 6 months
- Only submitting 2 photos instead of required 4
- Wearing blue clothing that blends with blue background
- Low resolution or pixelated when printed
How to set up royal blue background at home
- Option 1: Buy royal blue fabric (1-2 metres) from a local sari-sari store or fabric shop — costs ₱50-150
- Option 2: Use royal blue poster board or cartolina — available at National Bookstore or school supply shops
- Option 3: Hang a plain royal blue bedsheet or blanket behind you
- Ensure the blue is solid royal/dark blue — not light blue, navy, or patterned
- Iron or smooth the fabric to remove wrinkles and creases
- Stand at least 50cm from the backdrop to avoid shadows
- Use even lighting — face a window or use two lamps on either side
- Take the photo and upload to this tool for cropping and enhancement
How to print Philippine passport photos at home
- Paper: Use matte or glossy photo paper — DFA accepts both finishes.
- 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.
- Print 4 identical copies minimum — DFA requires all four.
- Alternative: Print at photo studios like Tronix Imaging Center, Great Image, Picture City, or any SM mall photo service.
Taking passport photos of babies and children
- Use a royal blue cloth or sheet as backdrop — same requirement as adults.
- Lay infant on royal blue fabric if unable to sit upright.
- Parent may support child's head but hands must not be visible in frame.
- Eyes must be open — schedule photo when child is alert and rested.
- Neutral expression preferred but DFA allows slight flexibility for infants.
- No visible hands, pacifiers, toys, or other objects in frame.
- Collared attire applies to children too — dress in decent clothing with collar.
- Take 10-20 shots to get one compliant photo — normal for young children.
- Studios experienced with infant photos: Picture City (Ayala Malls), Tronix (SM malls).
Good vs bad Philippine passport photo examples
Philippine passport application process
Apply online through the DFA Global Online Appointment System (GOAS) or Online Passport Application System (OPAS). Book an appointment at your nearest DFA consular office. On appointment day, bring completed application form, four passport photos on blue background, valid ID, and supporting documents (birth certificate from PSA, marriage certificate if applicable). Biometric data — digital photo, fingerprints, and signature — is captured in-person at the DFA office. Processing times: regular 10-14 working days, expedited 5-7 working days. Filipinos abroad apply at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Cost comparison: DIY vs professional in the Philippines
- Professional studios (Tronix, Great Image, Picture City): ₱150-300 for 4 photos
- SM mall photo services: ₱100-250
- Drugstore booths (Mercury Drug, Watsons): ₱80-150 — WARNING: often produce 2×2 inch with white background, NOT DFA-compliant
- This tool: Free — print at home for ₱15-30 per sheet (paper + ink)
- Print at photo centre with your file: ₱30-80
- Savings: ₱100-270 per application
- Family of four: Save ₱400-1,080 using DIY approach
Need a visa photo for the Philippines instead?
Philippine visa photos use WHITE background — not blue. Same 35×45mm dimensions but different background requirement. If you are a foreign national applying for a Philippine visa, use the dedicated Philippines Visa Photo tool with white background.
Official Philippine Government Resources
- DFA Photo Capture Guidelines Official Department of Foreign Affairs guidelines on passport photo requirements
- DFA Office of Consular Affairs — Passport General Information Complete passport application requirements, types, and processing information
- DFA Global Online Appointment System (GOAS) Book passport appointment at DFA consular offices
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo (Blue Background)
Position Head Using Guidelines
Select Enhancement
Download or Print Sheet
Specifications
- Photo Size
- 35×45 mm (3.5×4.5 cm)
- Resolution
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI
- Head Height
- 32-36 mm (70-80% of frame)
- Top Gap
- 5 mm from top of hair to edge of photo
- Background
- Royal blue / dark blue (required)
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Attire
- Collared shirt or decent clothing (mandatory)
- Paper Type
- Matte or glossy photo paper
- Quantity
- 4 identical photos required
- Valid For
- Philippine ePassport (new, renewal, replacement)
Best Practices
- Royal blue background is MANDATORY — this tool does not change background colour, you must photograph against blue
- Wear a collared shirt or blouse — DFA rejects sleeveless, tank tops, and plunging necklines
- No glasses whatsoever — Philippines does not allow even prescription glasses in passport photos
- Remove all jewelry including earrings and necklaces before taking the photo
- No coloured contact lenses — natural eye colour only
- Both ears must be visible — tuck hair behind ears
- Wear light-coloured clothing to contrast with the dark blue background — avoid wearing blue
- Buy royal blue fabric or cartolina at National Bookstore or fabric shop for ₱50-150 as DIY backdrop
- Print four identical copies — DFA requires all four with your application
- Avoid Mercury Drug or Watsons photo booths — they often produce wrong size and white background
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Philippine passport photo requirements?
35×45mm with royal blue background (not white). Head height 32-36mm (70-80% of frame) with 5mm gap at top. Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed. No glasses, no jewelry, no coloured contacts. Collared attire mandatory — no sleeveless or casual wear. Taken within 6 months. Four identical copies on matte or glossy paper.
Why does the Philippines require blue background?
The DFA requires royal blue or dark blue background for machine-readable passports (MRPs). The security features encoded in the passport photograph are better detected against blue. This is a Philippines-specific requirement — most other countries use white. Photos with white background will be rejected.
Can I wear glasses in Philippine passport photos?
No. The DFA prohibits all glasses in passport photos — including prescription glasses. This is stricter than most countries which allow medical exemptions. Remove all eyewear before taking the photo. Sunglasses and tinted lenses are also prohibited.
What clothing is required for DFA passport photos?
Collared shirt, polo shirt, or blouse with collar is mandatory. DFA rejects sleeveless tops, spaghetti straps, tank tops, tube tops, halter tops, plunging necklines, see-through tops, and uniforms. Wear light-coloured clothing to contrast with the blue background. Avoid wearing blue.
How many photos do I need for Philippine passport?
Four identical 35×45mm photos with royal blue background. All four must be submitted with your application at the DFA office. Print extra copies as backup.
Does this tool change my background to blue?
No. This tool crops your photo to the correct 35×45mm dimensions, positions the head according to DFA guidelines, and offers enhancement options. You must photograph against a royal blue background before uploading. Use royal blue fabric, poster board, or professional backdrop.
Can I use drugstore photo booth for Philippine passport?
Not recommended. Most drugstore booths (Mercury Drug, Watsons) produce 2×2 inch photos with white background — neither the correct size nor background for DFA. Use professional studios like Tronix, Great Image, or Picture City that know DFA requirements, or DIY with this tool and a blue backdrop.
Is the size 35×45mm or 35×50mm?
The official DFA specification is 35×45mm (3.5×4.5 cm). Some outdated sources list 35×50mm, but the current DFA and ICAO-aligned requirement is 35×45mm. Multiple official consular sources and DFA guidelines confirm this size.
Can I wear jewelry in Philippine passport photos?
No. DFA requires no jewelry — remove earrings, necklaces, and other visible accessories. Large jewelry can obscure facial features and cause rejection.
What are the rules for children's passport photos?
Same 35×45mm size and royal blue background. Collared attire required for children. Eyes must be open, but DFA allows slight flexibility on neutral expression for infants. No visible hands, pacifiers, or toys. Parents may support the child's head out of frame.