BJ Benin passport 3.5x4.5 cm (35x45 mm) Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: 35 × 45 mm (5 × 5 cm) printed on quality photo paper with a 3:4 aspect ratio
• Head size and placement: head (top of hair to bottom of chin) must measure 32–36 mm (70–80% of photo height) and be centered vertically and horizontally
• Eye‐line position: eyes should sit between 16–18 mm (40–45% of photo height) from the bottom edge to ensure proper alignment
• Background: plain, uniform white or very light gray with no patterns, textures, shadows or objects visible
• Facial expression: neutral expression or natural smile with closed mouth, both eyes open and clearly visible, no raised eyebrows
• Lighting and contrast: even, front-facing illumination with no shadows, reflections or “hot spots” on face or background
• Color and print quality: true-to-life color, sharp focus and contrast, no ink marks, tears, creases or over-exposure; matt or glossy finish acceptable
• Attire and accessories: everyday clothing—no uniforms or camouflage; no hats or headgear except for documented religious reasons (face must remain fully visible)
• Glasses and eyewear: permitted only if regularly worn—frames must be thin, lenses clear with no glare or reflections; eyes must be unobstructed
• Recent capture: photo must be taken within the last six months to reflect current appearance
• Digital submission (if applicable): JPEG format, 600 dpi minimum resolution, file size 100 KB–500 KB, no compression artifacts or digital editing of facial features

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Prepare your equipment and environment
• Camera setup: use a digital camera or smartphone with at least 10 MP, set to the highest resolution and disable filters or beauty modes
• Background: position the subject in front of a smooth, light-gray or off-white wall; ensure no shadows, textures, or objects are visible
• Lighting: place two soft light sources at 45° angles, about 1 m from the subject’s face, to eliminate shadows under the chin and around the ears
• Distance & alignment: mount the camera on a tripod 5 m away, lens at eye level, so the subject’s eyes fall at the horizontal center of the frame
• Clothing & accessories: instruct the subject to wear plain, dark-colored clothing without patterns; remove hats, scarves (unless for religious reasons), and tinted glasses
• Second step: Capture, crop, measure, and validate
• Capture the shot: have the subject look straight at the camera with a neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open, no smile; ensure ears are visible and hair is off the face
• Crop precisely: in photo-editing software set a crop box to 35 mm width × 45 mm height, center the head and shoulders; head height must measure 32–36 mm from chin to crown, with 3 mm–5 mm margin above hair
• Check positioning: verify the eye line lies between 22 mm and 27 mm from the bottom edge of the photo for correct vertical centering
• Print & measure: export as high-quality JPEG (minimum 600 dpi), print on matte, photo-quality paper; use a ruler to confirm the final print size is exactly 35 mm × 45 mm, with no borders
• Final validation: inspect for even lighting, correct color balance (skin tones natural, background neutral), no shadows or reflections on glasses; if all criteria are met, the photo is visa-ready for Benin.

Tips and Best Practices

• Precise Dimensions: Crop your photo to exactly 35×45 mm using a calibrated ruler or digital template to meet Benin’s size rules and prevent automatic rejections for wrong dimensions
• Head Proportion Alignment: Center the head so chin-to-crown measures about 32–36 mm (70–80% of frame) to ensure correct biometric positioning and avoid misalignment errors
• Uniform Background: Shoot against a plain white or light-grey backdrop with no shadows to satisfy Benin’s background standard and eliminate scan-failures caused by uneven lighting
• Neutral Expression & Visibility: Maintain a relaxed, closed-mouth expression with eyes open and hair off your face to guarantee clear facial mapping and skip retakes for improper posture
• No Accessories or Shadows: Remove glasses, hats, and jewelry and use soft, even lighting to eliminate reflections and shadows that interfere with machine-reading and border control checks

Conclusion

In summary, the Benin passport photo must be precisely 35 × 45 mm with the head and shoulders correctly framed against a pure white background, and printed or submitted in high resolution to meet government standards. Adhering to these specifications ensures your application moves smoothly without delays or rejections.

Key Points:

• Dimensions: 35 × 45 mm (5 × 5 cm) exactly
• Head size: 25–35 mm from chin to crown
• Background: plain white, even lighting, no shadows
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at the camera
• Attire: everyday clothing, no hats or head coverings (except for medical/religious reasons)
• Accessories: no sunglasses, tinted lenses or flashy jewelry
• Image quality: high resolution, sharp focus, no red-eye or overexposure
• Print/output: glossy or matte photo paper; digital files must meet Benin’s dpi and color-space requirements

Follow these guidelines meticulously, use a professional studio if possible, and carry extra sets of compliant photos to guarantee a seamless passport application experience.