Requirements

• Dimensions & framing: 50 × 50 mm square print with no borders, head centred
• Head size & positioning: crown-to-chin height 32–36 mm, eye line 28–35 mm from bottom edge
• Background: plain white or light off-white, free of patterns, textures or shadows
• Lighting & colour: even illumination, natural skin tones, no harsh shadows, glare or red-eye
• Facial expression & pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, direct full-face view, head straight
• Headwear & attire: no hats or head coverings except for religious reasons (face must remain fully visible)
• Eyewear: no tinted lenses or reflections; thin-rimmed glasses permitted only if eyes are clearly visible
• Photo age & authenticity: taken within the last 6 months, unedited, no digital filters or retouching
• Print & paper quality: high-resolution glossy or matte photo paper, crisp focus, no creases, stains or footprints
• Digital scan requirements: if submitting digitally, scan at a minimum of 300 dpi in JPEG or TIFF format with no compression artifacts

Step-by-Step Process

• Prepare environment: use a plain white or light-grey backdrop with evenly diffused lighting on both sides to eliminate shadows and ensure true skin tones.
• Set up camera: position a digital camera or DSLR on a tripod at subject’s eye level, use 600 dpi minimum, focal length ~85 mm, and keep ~5 m distance.
• Instruct subject: remove glasses and hats unless worn for religious reasons, keep hairline visible, maintain a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open.
• Frame and compose: center head and shoulders, ensure head height is 70–80 % of the frame, leave equal space on left/right, background fills entire frame.
• Test and adjust: take 2–3 test shots, confirm white balance, check for shadows/reflections, adjust lighting or background as needed.
• Crop and resize: crop to exactly 50 × 50 mm, set head height to 32–36 mm, position eye line 28 mm from bottom edge, export as JPEG at 24-bit color.
• Check technical specs: confirm image quality (no pixelation/red eye), file size ≤ 100 KB for digital upload or high-quality print on thin matte photo paper.
• Label and submit: produce two identical prints dated within 6 months, write full name and date of birth on back in pencil, submit with application per embassy instructions.

Tips and Best Practices

• Exact Dimensions: Measure the photo to be precisely 50×50 mm (5×5 cm) to comply with Afghan passport scanners and avoid automatic rejection
• Centered Head Position: Position the head so top of hair is 4–6 mm from top edge and chin sits 25–35 mm from bottom to meet biometric framing and prevent cropping errors
• Plain White Background: Use a smooth, evenly lit white background with no shadows or patterns to ensure contrast for facial recognition and avoid manual retakes
• Neutral Expression & Eyes Visible: Maintain a straight-faced, closed-mouth expression with eyes fully open and clearly visible (no hair or glare) to satisfy Afghan embassy standards and speed approval
• No Reflections or Obstructions: Remove glasses or ensure no lens glare and avoid head coverings (unless for religious reasons) to guarantee unobstructed facial features and prevent photo rejections

Conclusion

In summary, the Afghanistan passport 5×5 cm (50×50 mm) photo must meet these critical requirements:

• Photo Size: exactly 5×5 cm (50×50 mm) with no cropping or borders
• Background: plain light gray or off-white, uniform and free of shadows
• Head Position: centered, full-facing view with head height 32–36 mm from chin to crown
• Eye Placement: eyes positioned 28–32 mm from the bottom edge of the photo
• Expression & Gaze: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, looking directly at the camera
• Lighting & Quality: even lighting, no reflections or shadows, high-resolution color with natural skin tones
• Attire & Accessories: everyday clothing only; no hats, head coverings (unless for religious reasons), or tinted glasses; clear, rimless spectacles allowed if eyes remain fully visible
• Recency & Condition: taken within the last six months; printed on quality photo paper with a matte or semi-matte finish; free of creases, tears, or ink marks

Adhering to these specifications will help ensure your Afghanistan passport application proceeds without delays or photo rejections.