Philippines Passport Photo: check yours against the official spec
For the current Philippine ePassport you do not bring a photo: the DFA captures it digitally at your appointment, both in the Philippines and at consulates abroad. What you can prepare is your appearance, because the capture-day dress code is enforced: decent attire with a collared shirt recommended, no eyeglasses or coloured contact lenses, both ears and both eyebrows visible. Some related consular documents still require printed photos on a plain white background taken within 6 months; use this tool for those prints and to pre-check your look before the appointment.
Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.
Philippines passport photo requirements
| Photo size | 1 3/8 × 1 3/4 inches (35 × 45 mm) |
|---|---|
| Head height (chin to top of hair) | 1 1/4 to 1 3/8 in (32 to 36 mm) |
| Eye height from bottom | 3/4 to 1 1/8 in (19 to 30 mm) |
| Background | plain white |
| Digital file | JPEG, at least 750 × 750 px |
Common reasons a Philippines passport photo is rejected
- Eyeglasses or coloured contact lenses worn at photo capture. They must come off; clear contact lenses are allowed.
- Bangs covering the eyebrows, or ears not visible.
- A sleeveless, spaghetti-strap, plunging, or see-through top. The DFA dress code requires decent attire for the captured photo.
- For documents that still need prints: the background is not plain white, or the photo is older than 6 months.
“Photos must not be changed using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.”
U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements
Photo rejections are common, and you pay twice
A rejected photo means a delayed application and paying again for a retake. It's one of the most common problems people hit when applying, and it's exactly what this tool is built to catch before you submit:
- r/Passports: the many reasons photos get rejected →
- r/travel: struggling to get a visa photo under the file-size limit →
- MoneySavingExpert: a rejected UK passport photo and the redo →
We measure your photo against the official spec, never AI-edit it (itself a rejection reason as of 2026), and back it accepted-or-your-money-back.
What a passport photo really costs
The photo is the cheap part. The expensive part is a rejection: redo fees, another queue, and a delayed application or trip. Here is the honest comparison:
| Pharmacy or retail (CVS, Walgreens)$16 to $17 per attempt | No compliance guarantee. A rejection means paying and queueing again. |
|---|---|
| USPS photo serviceabout $15 | Same deal: rejected means a second visit and a second fee. |
| Cheap online photo editors$1 to $3 | Most replace your background with software. Edited photos are a documented rejection reason for the US, UK and Canada since 2026, and refunds usually cover technical failures only. |
| Compliant Passport PhotoFree check. $9 only if it passes | We measure and crop your original, never edit it. Accepted or your money back. |
Retail prices are typical 2026 US prices and vary by location. Our guarantee: accepted or your money back.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring a photo for a Philippine passport?
No. For the current ePassport, your photo is taken digitally at the appointment by DFA staff, in Manila and at consulates abroad. Official consulate pages state it plainly: do not bring your own photos.
Is the royal blue background still required for Philippine passports?
No. The royal blue background belongs to the old machine readable passport era and is obsolete. Where a print is still needed today, the background is plain white.
What should I wear for my Philippine passport appointment?
Decent attire, with a collared shirt recommended. Plunging necklines, sleeveless tops, spaghetti straps and see-through fabric are not acceptable. Avoid large earrings, piercings, and excessive makeup. A scarf or veil is allowed only for religious or health reasons.
When do I still need printed photos for Philippine documents?
Some related documents still require prints, for example the DFA Travel Document at certain consulates asks for four identical coloured 2 x 2 inch prints with a plain white background, taken within 6 months. Check your specific document's checklist.
How does this tool help if the DFA takes the photo?
Use it to pre-check your look against the capture-day rules (ears and eyebrows visible, glasses off, compliant attire) so you are not turned away at the appointment, and to produce compliant prints for the document types that still need them.
Other documents we check
- United States Passport photo
- United States Visa photo
- United Kingdom Passport photo
- Canada Passport photo
- Schengen Area Visa photo
- India Passport photo
- Australia Passport photo
- India Visa photo
- United Kingdom Visa photo
- Ireland Passport photo
- New Zealand Passport photo
- United States Green Card photo
- China Visa photo
- Germany Passport photo
- France Passport photo
- Spain Passport photo
- Italy Passport photo
- Japan Passport photo
- Brazil Passport photo
- India OCI Card photo