Ireland Passport Photo Requirements

When applying for an Irish passport, it is crucial to provide a high-quality passport photo that meets the specific requirements set by the Irish government.

You must submit a photo that has been taken in the last six months.

Digital photos

If you apply online, you must submit a digital photo.

Here are the technical requirements for your digital photo:

• A scanned photo cannot be used.

• It should be in color.

• A minimum of 715 pixels wide and 951 pixels high is required.

• Be in JPEG format.

• There should be no compression, loss, or compression artefacts.

• It cannot be altered or enhanced digitally.

• Do not contain barrel distortions or any other distortions.

• It should not exceed 9 megabytes (9MB).

   

Printed photos

If you apply by paper application form, you must submit a printed photo.

Ensure that your printed photo meets these technical requirements:

Size

Photographs should show your face and top of your shoulders so that 70% to 80% of the frame is occupied by your face.

• Minimum: 35mm x 45mm

• Maximum: 38mm x 50mm

Quality

• Photo-quality paper must be used for printing photos.

• Photos must be in sharp focus and correctly exposed

• Ink marks and creases should not be present.

• It is not acceptable to make digital enhancements or changes.

• The reverse of the photos must be white and unglazed.

• It is recommended to take black and white photos since they will be digitally printed on a passport.Color photos are also accepted.

   

Guidelines for digital and print photos on pose and visuals

1. Facial features and Expresssion

• Your expression should be neutral, your mouth should be closed, and your smile should be avoided.
• You should not tilt your head up or down or left or right.Face the camera directly.

• Your face should be visible, and your hair should not cover your eyes.

• Glasses are acceptable.No part of your eyes should be covered by the frame.There must be no glare on the lenses.It is not permitted to wear dark glasses.

• A head covering can be worn for religious or medical reasons.It is important that your full facial features are visible.Head accessories cannot be worn for any other reason.

• Do not wear sunglasses.

     2.Lighting and focus

• Your photo must be in focus.Lighting and color should be balanced, not too dark or too light.
• The face and the back of your head should not have any shadows.
• Photographs with red eye are unacceptable.
• It is important to have a good colour balance and a natural skin tone.

     3.Distance

• Ensure that your head and mid-torso are captured in the photograph.
• Make sure your head and shoulders are visible from the edge of your photo.
• It is prohibited to wear uniforms, whether civil or military, or clothing bearing insignia.

      4. Background

• The background should be light grey, white or cream.
• There should be no object in your passport photo, such as a door panel or a plant.

Child photos

•  In the case of an infant or very young child who cannot support themselves, they should be photographed lying down on a plain, white surface.
• Ensure that no other people appear in the picture, so no hands or arms supporting the child should be visible.
• In photographs, soothers/pacifiers cannot be present since they can obscure facial features.

Applicant Photo Guidelines

Irish Passport Online Photographer Guidelines