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

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: 35 mm wide × 45 mm high, portrait orientation
• Head size (chin to crown): 32 – 36 mm tall, occupying about 70 – 80 % of photo height
• Eye level: positioned 25 – 30 mm from the bottom edge of the photo, eyes on a horizontal plane
• Background: plain, light-colored (white or light-gray), evenly lit with no shadows, patterns or textures
• Color and quality: high-resolution color print on matte or glossy photo paper, sharp focus, no grain or over-exposure
• Facial expression: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible, no exaggerated smiles
• Head position: full face visible, head centered with no tilt or rotation, looking directly at the camera
• Lighting: even frontal lighting to avoid shadows on face or background and to prevent red-eye or glare
• Glasses: if worn, frames must be thin, lenses clear (no tinted/reflective lenses), no glare obstructing eyes
• Headgear: not permitted except for medical or religious reasons—must not cover or cast shadows on the face
• Clothing: everyday attire (no uniforms, camouflage, or overly bright/neon colors), collar visible if worn
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance, no retouching or digital enhancements
• Children and infants: eyes open and facing camera, no pacifiers/toys visible, hands of another person must not be in frame
• File format (digital submission): JPEG, minimum 600 dpi resolution, file size 50–500 KB, no compression artifacts

Step-by-Step Process

• Prepare equipment: use a digital camera (at least 8 MP) on a tripod, a plain white backdrop (matte finish), two diffused light sources and a ruler to verify dimensions.
• Set up the environment: place the white backdrop 1 m behind the subject, position lights at 45° angles to eliminate shadows, and ensure no reflective surfaces are visible.
• Configure camera settings: set resolution to maximum JPEG quality (sRGB), disable flash red-eye and beauty filters, use a focal length of 50–85 mm equivalent to avoid distortion.
• Position the subject: have the subject stand 5 m from the camera, look straight ahead, maintain a neutral expression with closed lips, keep both eyes open and ears visible.
• Frame the shot: align the camera so the subject’s head is centered, leaving 5 mm margin above the hair and 5 mm below the chin; ensure shoulders are visible and horizontal.
• Capture and review: take multiple shots, check that the background is pure white (RGB 255,255,255), skin tones are natural, and there are no red-eye or shadows.
• Transfer and select: download images to a computer, choose the sharpest image where the head occupies 75–85 % of the 45 mm photo height (32–38 mm).
• Crop and resize: using image software, set canvas to 35 × 45 mm at 300 dpi, position the crop so head height (chin to crown) is 32–38 mm and shoulders fill the lower frame.
• Print to specification: use a professional photo printer with glossy or semi-matte paper, confirm final print measures exactly 35 mm wide × 45 mm tall, check colors match the digital proof.
• Inspect and submit: verify no creases or marks, write your full name and passport application number lightly on the back, attach according to the application form’s layout guidelines.

Tips and Best Practices

• Perfect Background: Use a clean white or light-grey backdrop free of textures or shadows to ensure clear subject-background contrast and avoid automatic rejection for non-uniform backgrounds
• Correct Head Size & Position: Center the head so it covers 70–80% of the 45 mm height (32–36 mm) with eyes ~28 mm from the bottom to prevent cropping errors and meet ICAO/Benin standards
• Even Lighting & No Shadows: Employ soft, diffused lighting from both sides to eliminate facial and background shadows, ensuring all features are visible and accepted by biometric scanners
• Neutral Expression & Visible Eyes: Maintain a natural, closed-mouth expression with eyes fully open and hair or glasses glare kept clear to satisfy biometric requirements and prevent retakes
• Accurate Dimensions & Print Quality: Trim precisely to 35×45 mm on high-resolution (600 dpi) matte photo paper with no borders or creases to avoid size rejections and ensure legibility during visa processing

Conclusion

In summary, the Benin passport photo must be a precisely framed, high-quality 35 × 45 mm image with accurate face proportions, neutral expression, uniform lighting and background, and strict adherence to print or digital specifications. Meeting each requirement ensures smooth processing and avoids costly delays.

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm (5 × 5 cm) with no cropping or trimming
• Head size and position: head height 25 – 35 mm, centered, eye line 20 – 30 mm from bottom
• Background: uniform light grey or white, no shadows or patterns
• Expression and appearance: neutral face, mouth closed, eyes open and visible, no smiles
• Lighting and quality: even illumination, accurate skin tones, no reflections or red-eye
• Glasses and head coverings: transparent frames only, no tinted lenses; religious coverings allowed if face is fully visible
• Clothing: everyday attire, no uniforms or camouflage; avoid white top against light background
• Digital/print specs: 600 dpi resolution, high-quality print on matte or glossy photo paper, no retouching beyond basic color correction
• Submission: provide two identical prints or one digital file per application guidelines

Adhering to these standards guarantees your Benin passport photo will be accepted on the first submission.