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The Challenge
Philippine visa applications require 35×45mm photos with WHITE background — different from the blue background used for Philippine passports. Submitting passport photos with blue background for visa = rejection. Two printed photos typically required.
Philippines visa photo uses WHITE background — not blue
- Visa photos: WHITE background (standard international format)
- Passport photos: BLUE background (Philippines-specific)
- Do NOT use your Philippine passport photo (blue background) for visa applications
- Do NOT use your visa photo (white background) for passport applications
- These are different documents with different background requirements
Philippine visa photo requirements
Foreign nationals applying for Philippine visas — tourist, business, work, student, or transit — must submit 35×45mm photos with plain white background. This is the standard ICAO format used by most countries, unlike the blue background required for Philippine passports. Photos must show head height of 32-36mm (70-80% of frame) with neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed. No glasses, no coloured contact lenses. Typically two printed photos are required, but confirm with the specific Philippine Embassy or Consulate handling your application.
Philippine visa photo requirements checklist
- 35×45mm dimensions (3.5×4.5 cm)
- Plain white background — no blue, 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
- Face centred, neutral expression, mouth closed
- Both eyes open and clearly visible
- No glasses (including prescription) — same as passport rules
- No coloured contact lenses
- No headwear unless religious or medical (face must remain visible)
- Decent attire — collared clothing preferred
- Colour photo — no black and white
- Even lighting, no shadows on face or background
- No filters, beauty mode, or digital alterations
- 826×1063 pixels at 600 DPI for printing
- Printed on matte or glossy photo paper
Common visa photo rejection reasons
- Using blue-background passport photo instead of white-background visa photo
- Head size outside 32-36mm range
- Wearing glasses (any type including prescription)
- Shadows on face or white background
- Wearing coloured contact lenses
- Photo older than 6 months
- Poor lighting — overexposed or underexposed
- Smiling with teeth or unnatural expression
- Low resolution causing pixelation when printed
How to print Philippine visa photos at home
- Paper: Use matte or glossy photo paper — both accepted.
- 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: Print at any photo centre, Walgreens, CVS, Boots, or local print shop. Specify '35×45mm on photo paper'.
Philippines visa photo vs passport photo
Philippine visa types using this photo format
All Philippine visa categories use 35×45mm white-background photos: tourist visa (9a), business visa, work visa (pre-arranged employment 9g), student visa (9f), transit visa, treaty trader visa, and special visas. The Bureau of Immigration and Philippine embassies/consulates worldwide accept this format. Some embassies may also accept digital photo uploads — check with your specific consulate. Requirements are consistent across all visa types.
Cost comparison: DIY vs professional
- Professional photo studio: $10-25 depending on country
- Drugstore/pharmacy service: $7-15
- This tool: Free — print at home or at any photo centre
- Print at photo shop with your file: $2-5
- Savings: $7-23 per application
Are you a Filipino applying for a Philippine passport?
This tool is for VISA photos (white background) for foreign nationals entering the Philippines. If you are a Filipino citizen applying for a Philippine passport or ePassport, you need the Philippines Passport Photo tool with ROYAL BLUE background. The DFA will reject white-background photos for passport applications.
Official Philippine Government Resources
- Bureau of Immigration — Visa Information & Services Official Bureau of Immigration page listing visa types, requirements, and services
- Visa General Info — DFA Office of Consular Affairs Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official visa information page
- Philippine eVisa Portal Official Philippine online eVisa application portal (for eligible nationalities)
- Visa FAQs — DFA Office of Consular Affairs Official frequently asked questions on Philippine visa requirements and processes
Step-by-Step Workflow
Upload Photo
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)
- Background
- Plain white (required)
- Recency
- Taken within last 6 months
- Expression
- Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
- Paper Type
- Matte or glossy photo paper
- Quantity
- Typically 2 photos (confirm with embassy)
- Valid For
- Tourist visa, work visa, student visa, transit visa
Best Practices
- Philippine visa photos use WHITE background — do not use blue-background passport photos
- Same 35×45mm dimensions as passport but different background colour
- No glasses allowed — Philippines is stricter than most countries, no medical exemptions
- No coloured contact lenses — natural eye colour only
- Wear dark or coloured clothing to contrast with white background — avoid white clothing
- Collared attire preferred though not as strictly enforced as passport photos
- Confirm number of photos required with your specific embassy — typically two
- Head height 32-36mm — use the crop guidelines to position correctly
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Philippine visa photo requirements?
35×45mm with plain white background. Head height 32-36mm (70-80% of frame). Neutral expression, eyes open, mouth closed. No glasses, no coloured contacts. Decent attire preferred. Taken within 6 months. Typically two copies on photo paper.
Can I use my Philippine passport photo for visa application?
No. Philippine passport photos have a blue background. Visa photos require white background. They are not interchangeable despite having the same 35×45mm dimensions.
What background colour for Philippine visa photos?
Plain white. No blue (that's for passports), no grey, no cream, no patterns. This is the standard international format used for most visa applications worldwide.
Can I wear glasses in Philippine visa photos?
No. Philippine authorities prohibit all glasses in visa photos — same as passport rules. Remove all eyewear including prescription glasses. Sunglasses and tinted lenses also prohibited.
How many photos do I need for Philippine visa?
Typically two passport-sized photos (35×45mm). However, requirements vary by embassy and visa type — confirm with the specific Philippine Embassy or Consulate handling your application.
What visa types use this photo format?
All Philippine visa categories: tourist (9a), business, work (9g), student (9f), transit, treaty trader, and special visas. All use 35×45mm white-background format.
Is the photo size 35×45mm or 2×2 inches?
Philippine visa and passport photos are 35×45mm (3.5×4.5 cm). This is different from the US 2×2 inch (51×51mm) format. Some old sources reference 2×2 but the current DFA and immigration standard is 35×45mm.
Do I need to print or can I submit digitally?
Depends on application method. In-person embassy submissions require printed photos on photo paper. Some Philippine embassies and the online immigration portal may accept digital uploads. Check with your specific consulate.