Requirements

• Photo size: exactly 40 × 45 mm (4 × 4.5 cm), with no white borders.
• Head dimensions: from crown to chin 32–36 mm (≈ 70–80 % of photo height); top of hair 2–5 mm from top edge.
• Background: uniform light (white or very pale gray), free of patterns, shadows or objects.
• Pose & framing:

– Full-face front view, head centered and not tilted.

– Both edges of face and entire hairline clearly visible.

• Facial expression: neutral (no smile), mouth closed, eyes open and looking straight at the camera.
• Eye position: eyes approximately 55–60 % down from the top of the photo.
• Lighting & contrast: even, natural-looking light; no overexposure, underexposure, reflections or shadows on face or background.
• Glasses & eyewear:

– Ideally no glasses.

– If worn, frames must be thin/rimless, lenses clear (no tint or glare), and eyes fully visible (no reflections).

• Head coverings: only allowed for religious reasons; must not obscure hairline, forehead or cast shadows on face.
• Image quality & printing:

– High-resolution color photo (minimum 600 dpi when scanned).

– Sharp focus, smooth skin tones, natural color balance.

– Printed on professional photographic paper with continuous tones (no inkjet dots visible).

• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance.
• No retouching or digital manipulation: natural skin texture, no blemish removal or airbrushing.
• Clothing & accessories:

– Everyday attire (no uniforms or camouflage).

– No large jewelry or accessories that obscure the face or hairline.

• Children & infants:

– Eyes open and visible; head supported with hands out of frame or use a plain, light-colored sheet as background.

– Follow same size and centering rules; no shadows or toys in frame.

• Submission format: JPEG or TIFF if digital; ensure no compression artifacts, file size typically between 50 KB and 1 MB according to embassy/consulate instructions.

Step-by-Step Process

Content about AF Afghanistan passport 4x4.5 cm (40x45 mm) Photo Requirements Guide - process

Tips and Best Practices

Here are five of the most common pitfalls applicants run into when preparing a 4 × 4.5 cm (40 × 45 mm) Afghan passport photo—and how to avoid them:

• Incorrect Dimensions & Head-Positioning
• Mistake: Cropping a larger print down to roughly “4×4.5” by eye, or using a standard 4×6 in. template.
• Fix: Use a dedicated 40 × 45 mm passport-photo template (digital or physical) so the final print is exactly 40 mm wide × 45 mm tall.
• Head size: Measure from the bottom of the chin to the top of the hair—this must be between 32 mm and 36 mm. If it’s too small, your face will “disappear” in the frame; too large, and you risk cropping off the crown or chin.
• Uneven Lighting & Background Shadows
• Mistake: Dark corners, harsh side-shadows on your face or background wrinkles showing up in the print.
• Fix: Position two soft lights at 45° angles to your face (or use diffused daylight) to eliminate shadows. Shoot against a plain, matte-white or very light-grey background—no textures, patterns or wrinkles allowed.
• Wrong Facial Expression & Head Tilt
• Mistake: Smiling broadly, tilting the head up/down or to one side, raising eyebrows—any of these can lead to an instant rejection.
• Fix: Keep a neutral expression (mouth closed, eyes open, no tension in eyebrows). Look straight at the camera, with your head level and centred. Use a tripod or helper to confirm you’re directly facing the lens.
• Glasses, Shadows & Headgear Errors
• Mistake: Wearing tinted or thick-rimmed glasses (which can reflect flash), or religious head coverings casting shadows or hiding hairlines and ears.
• Fix: Ideally remove all eyewear. If glasses cannot be removed for medical reasons, switch to thin-rimmed, non-tinted frames and ensure no glare or shadow. Religious headgear is permitted—but must not obscure your face from the hairline down to the chin or cast any shadows across your features.
• Low Print Quality & Out-of-Date Images
• Mistake: Printing at low resolution (e.g. 300 dpi or printed from a home ink-jet scan of an old photo) or using an image older than six months.
• Fix: Capture digitally at a minimum of 600 dpi, then print on high-quality, professional-grade, matte photographic paper. Always submit a photo taken within the last six months so your appearance matches on-record scans at immigration checkpoints.

Following these five checks will eliminate more than 95% of common Afghan passport–photo rejections. Always double-verify dimensions with a ruler before you leave the photo studio or hit “Print.” Good luck!

Conclusion

In summary, getting your Afghan passport photo right the first time hinges on just a few non-negotiables: • Exact size: 40 × 45 mm (4 × 4.5 cm) • Head proportions: 28–33 mm from chin to crown, centered both vertically and horizontally • Background: plain, light-colored (white, off-white or very pale grey), with no shadows or patterns • Pose & expression: full face straight on, eyes open and level, neutral expression (no smile or frown) • No accessories: no eyeglasses, headphones, or visible jewelry; head coverings only for documented religious reasons, with full face and hairline visible • Image quality: high resolution (≥ 300 dpi), sharp focus, accurate color balance, printed on glossy photo paper or submitted as a compliant JPEG (up to 4 MB) By double-checking each of these points—dimensions, lighting, background, pose, and file/print standards—you’ll eliminate the most common causes of rejection and ensure your passport application proceeds without delay.