Common Syrian passport 2x2 inches (5x5 cm, 51x51 mm) Photo Rejection Reasons in SY - Expert Tips

Requirements

• Incorrect dimensions: Photo size must be exactly 51×51 mm (2×2 inches); any deviation leads to automatic rejection
• Head size out of range: Head (top of hair to chin) must measure between 25 mm and 35 mm; too large or too small is invalid
• Background non-compliant: Background must be plain white or off-white with no shadows, patterns, textures or objects
• Shadows and uneven lighting: Any shadows on face or background, overexposed highlights or under-exposed areas will cause refusal
• Facial expression violation: Neutral expression only, mouth closed, eyes open and visible; no smiles, frowns or raised eyebrows
• Glasses issues: No tinted lenses or heavy frames; eyes must be fully visible with no glare or reflections
• Head covering breach: Only permitted for documented religious reasons and must not obscure any facial features from chin to forehead
• Photo quality defects: Blurred, scratched, creased, pixelated images or dust and hair in the frame will be rejected
• Poor printing quality: Must be printed on high-quality glossy or matte photo paper; standard inkjet or plain paper prints are unacceptable
• Color imbalance: Skin tones must appear natural; photos with unnatural hues or color casts will be refused
• Date compliance: Photo must be taken within the last six months; older photographs are invalid
• Accessories and reflections: No headphones, scarves, jewelry reflections or other accessories that obscure facial features

Step-by-Step Process

• Identify rejection reasons: Check that the photo is exactly 2×2 inches (51×51 mm), head height is 1–1⅜ inches (25–35 mm), expression is neutral, background is matte white, lighting is even with no shadows or glare, focus is sharp, color is natural, no glasses glare or headwear, and entire face and shoulders are visible.
• Correct and resubmit: Retake under professional studio lighting and a white backdrop to eliminate shadows, position the head 1–1⅜ inches tall to meet SY specs, maintain a neutral expression with no accessories, crop precisely to 2×2 inches using calibrated software or ruler, then print on high-resolution matte photo paper to prevent dimension, lighting, or quality rejections.

Tips and Best Practices

• Background consistency: Use a plain white or off‐white backdrop free of shadows or patterns to ensure contrast with your face and meet Syrian passport standards to avoid rejections
• Lighting uniformity: Employ even, diffused lighting to eliminate harsh shadows or glare on your face and background so your features are clearly visible and compliant with biometric requirements
• Proper head size and position: Center your head in the frame with the face height between 25 mm and 35 mm from chin to crown to satisfy Syrian biometric guidelines and prevent cropping errors
• Neutral expression and natural eyes: Maintain a straight‐on gaze with a neutral expression and eyes fully open to facilitate accurate facial recognition and avoid retake requests
• No accessories or head coverings blocking features: Remove glasses, jewelry, and hats; if head coverings are worn for religious reasons, ensure the hairline and full facial contours are clearly visible to comply with regulations

Conclusion

In conclusion, the most frequent reasons Syrian passport photos (2×2 in, 5×5 cm, 51×51 mm) are rejected include:

• Incorrect dimensions: image not exactly 2×2 in (5×5 cm) or pixel count outside 600×600 to 1200×1200 px
• Background issues: non‐plain white/gray backdrop, shadows or uneven lighting
• Head‐size errors: subject’s head too large or too small within the 25–35 mm range
• Shadows or reflections: on face, behind head or from eyewear
• Eyeglass problems: glare, tinted lenses or frames obscuring eyes
• Improper head coverings: hiding hairline or facial features (unless for religious reasons, then edges must remain fully visible)
• Facial expression: non‐neutral expression, open mouth or closed eyes
• Poor image quality: pixelation, over/underexposure, color casts
• Clothing contrast: attire blending into background or overly bright patterns

Adhering strictly to these specifications will minimize rejections, avoid processing delays and ensure a smooth Syrian passport application.