Philippines Passport Photo Requirements (2026) — Size, DFA Rules, Cost

Complete 2026 guide to Philippine passport, visa, and PRC ID photo requirements. 35 × 45 mm dimensions, plain white background, DFA-Aseana online appointment rules, and how to make your photo at home for ₱220.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-01

TL;DR — Philippine passport photo specifications

Size: 35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 in) — international standard.
Digital: 413 × 531 pixels at 300 DPI, JPEG format.
Background: Plain white.
Head coverage: 70 – 80% of photo height (ICAO 9303 aligned).
Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, no glasses.
Age: Taken within the last 6 months.

DFA appointment vs. online submission

The Department of Foreign Affairs operates two main paths for Filipinos:

DFA appointment (Aseana, regional, or consular offices)— photo is captured in-house. You don't need to bring a photo, but a self-taken backup is useful if the in-house camera is down.
Online renewal (OFW or eligible categories) — submit a self-captured digital photo meeting the 35 × 45 mm spec. This is where our tool is most valuable.
Mail-in renewal (via Philippine embassies abroad) — submit printed photos that meet the dimensions and background rules.

How to take a Philippine passport photo at home

Plain white wall, freshly painted or with a tightly-pulled white sheet. No textures, posters, or windows in the background.
Stand 0.5 m away from the wall to avoid casting shadows on the background.
Even daylight or two soft lampson either side of the camera. Manila's open shade on a bright day works well outdoors.
Phone at eye level, 1.2 m (4 ft) away, held vertically by a second person.
Face the lens, eyes open, mouth closed, neutral expression.Remove glasses. No head covering except religious (and the full face must still be visible).
Use burst mode — 20+ shots, pick the cleanest.
Upload to our Philippine passport photo tool. We crop to 35 × 45 mm with 70 – 80% head coverage, replace the background to plain white, and produce a 4×6 print sheet for kiosk pickup.

Where to print the 4×6 sheet in the Philippines

Kodak Express / Fujifilm photo shops — most common standalone option in Metro Manila and provincial cities. ₱20 – ₱40 per 4×6 sheet.
Mercury Drug photo counters — limited locations but offer same-day 4×6 prints at ₱15 – ₱25.
SM Department Store photo studios — available in most SM malls; typically ₱25 – ₱45 per 4×6 sheet.
Home inkjet printer — Canon Pixma or Epson L-series with 4 × 6 glossy paper. The cheapest option per print at ~₱15.

Common Philippine passport photo rejection reasons

Background is not plain white (cream, off-white, light grey rejected)
Visible shadows on the face, neck, or wall
Eyes closed or partially closed (squinting)
Smile or open mouth
Glasses worn (banned since 2017)
Hair covering the eyes or eyebrows
Photo older than 6 months
Low resolution after WhatsApp/Messenger compression
Beauty filter or phone enhancement enabled

Frequently asked questions

What is the size of a Philippine passport photo?

35 × 45 mm (1.38 × 1.77 inches) at 300 DPI = 413 × 531 pixels. The same size used by the UK, Schengen Area, and most of Asia. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) requires plain white background and the head must occupy roughly 70 – 80% of the photo height.

Does the DFA require photos to be taken at the appointment?

For new applications at DFA-Aseana and consular offices, the photo is captured in-house at the appointment. For renewals processed online or by mail (for OFWs), you submit a digital photo that must meet the 35 × 45 mm spec with plain white background. Our tool produces both the digital file and a print-ready 4×6 sheet if you need to bring printed copies.

Can I take a Philippine passport photo at home?

Yes for online and mail-in renewals. The DFA accepts self-captured photos as long as they meet the dimensions, background, and biometric framing rules. Take the photo against a plain white wall in even light, then upload to our tool for cropping, sizing, and background normalisation.

What background color is required for a Philippine passport photo?

Plain white only. Off-white, cream, or light grey are rejected. The DFA's published examples show a uniformly lit white wall with no visible shadows or texture.

Can I wear glasses in a Philippine passport photo?

No. The DFA aligned with international ICAO Doc 9303 rules in 2017 — glasses are not permitted, even clear ones without glare. Remove glasses entirely for the photo.

How much does a Philippine passport photo cost?

At studios in Manila and Cebu: typically ₱150 – ₱250 (about $2.50 – $4.30 USD) for a set of 4 – 6 prints. Online with our tool: $3.99 (about ₱220) for the digital JPEG plus a 4×6 print sheet that any Filipino kiosk or photo studio can print.

Is the Philippine ePassport photo different from the regular passport photo?

Same physical and digital dimensions (35 × 45 mm, 413 × 531 px), same background and biometric rules. The 'ePassport' label refers to the chip embedded in the document, not the photo specification.

Can I use my passport photo for a Philippine visa or PRC ID too?

Most Philippine visas (BI long-stay, working visas) accept the same 35 × 45 mm photo. The PRC (Professional Regulation Commission) ID has slightly different rules and typically uses a 2 × 2 inch (51 × 51 mm) photo. Verify the exact spec on the form before submission.

Make your Philippine passport photo now

Open the tool with the Philippine template pre-loaded: Philippines passport photo. Visa applicants: Philippines visa photo. For OFWs applying to other countries, browse all 100+ countries.