KN Saint Kitts and Nevis passport photo 35x45 mm (1.77x1.38 inch) Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo dimensions: exactly 35 × 45 mm (38 × 77 in) with no borders or margins
• Head size and placement: head height (chin to crown) 29–34 mm, centered vertically, with eyes positioned 15–18 mm from bottom edge
• Background color: uniform light grey or white, free of shadows, patterns, textures or objects
• Facial expression: neutral expression with mouth closed, both eyes open, looking straight at camera without tilting head
• Head orientation: full face visible, no tilt or turn, shoulders squared to camera, entire head centered in frame
• Lighting and shadows: even, diffused lighting on face and background, no harsh shadows, glare or reflections
• Eye visibility and glasses: no tinted or mirrored lenses, prescription glasses allowed only if necessary with clear frames and no glare, eyes fully visible
• Head coverings: prohibited except for religious reasons, must not obscure hairline or cast shadows on face, full facial features must be visible
• Clothing: everyday attire (no uniforms, camouflage, or overly bright patterns), collar or top must contrast with background
• Photo quality: high resolution, sharp focus, in color, natural skin tones, free of pixelation, blurring or red-eye
• Photo age: taken within the last 6 months, accurately reflecting current appearance
• Print and finish: matte or semi-matte paper, unglazed, no borders, no retouching or digital enhancements
• Digital file requirements: JPEG format, sRGB color space, minimum 600 × 750 px at 300 dpi, file size ≤ 240 KB, free of compression artifacts
• Child-specific considerations: eyes open and visible, no pacifiers or toys, ensure any support is removed from digital background

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Understand official specs – Verify that Saint Kitts and Nevis passport photos must be exactly 35 × 45 mm (38 × 77 in), with the head height between 25 mm and 35 mm and 3 mm to 5 mm clear margin above the crown; knowing these measurements up front prevents rejections.
• Second step: Select appropriate equipment and environment – Use a high-resolution digital camera (minimum 8 MP) and a tripod for stability, and choose a well-lit area with even, shadow-free lighting; consistent lighting and sharp focus ensure compliance with clarity requirements.
• Third step: Prepare the subject’s appearance – Ask the applicant to remove hats, hair accessories and tinted glasses, ensure hair is pulled back from the face, maintain a neutral expression with mouth closed and eyes open; this alignment meets the no-obstruction rule.
• Fourth step: Set up a plain background – Position a white or off-white backdrop at least 5 m behind the subject to eliminate shadows; a uniform background guarantees the correct contrast and colour balance.
• Fifth step: Position and frame the shot – Place the camera at eye level, centre the head in the frame, ensure shoulders are straight and the top of the head is 3 mm–5 mm from the top edge; proper positioning secures the required head height and margins.
• Sixth step: Capture multiple images – Take 4–6 shots, checking each for focus, exposure and absence of red-eye or blotches; having options allows you to pick the one that best matches the strict criteria.
• Seventh step: Crop and resize to 35 × 45 mm – Using image-editing software, lock the crop ratio to 35 × 45 mm, adjust so the head fits within the 25 mm–35 mm height zone, convert to 300 dpi RGB colour; precise cropping ensures digital compliance.
• Eighth step: Adjust lighting and colours – Correct brightness/contrast without altering skin tone, avoid filters or retouching that change the natural look; preserving true-to-life appearance meets authenticity guidelines.
• Ninth step: Print on quality photo paper – Use professional-grade glossy or semi-matte photo paper at 300 dpi, verify the printed dimensions with a ruler (35 × 45 mm), and ensure no edge cutting or scaling occurred; correct printing safeguards against size distortions.
• Tenth step: Final quality control and submission – Measure head height and top margin on the print, inspect for shadows, reflections or blemishes, then attach to the passport application clearly labeled; this last check prevents last-minute rejections.

Tips and Best Practices

• Precise Head Framing: ensure your head (chin to crown) fills about 70–80 % of the 35×45 mm frame with equal top and bottom margins to avoid automatic cropping errors and guarantee facial features meet size requirements
• Even White Background: shoot against a plain, shadow-free white or off-white backdrop to prevent rejections for texture, color casts, or gradients that obscure your silhouette
• Balanced Lighting: use diffused, front-facing light sources to eliminate shadows on the face and background and avoid glare on glasses, ensuring clear visibility of all facial details
• Neutral Expression & Straight Posture: maintain a relaxed, closed-mouth expression with eyes fully open, head centered and level to comply with biometric standards and prevent misidentification
• No Obstructions or Distracting Attire: remove hats, headbands, and large jewelry (head coverings allowed only for verified religious reasons) and pull hair away from your face to ensure unobstructed capture of facial contours

Conclusion

In summary, the Saint Kitts and Nevis passport photo must meet precise dimensions, composition, and quality standards to avoid delays or rejections. By following the guidelines below, applicants ensure a smooth submission process and compliance with KN immigration requirements.

Key points:

• Size: 35 × 45 mm (38 × 77 inches) with no cropping or trimming beyond specified borders
• Head positioning: crown-to-chin height of 25–35 mm, centered vertically and horizontally
• Background: plain white or off-white, uniform tone, no shadows or objects
• Facial expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open, direct gaze at camera
• Lighting: even illumination, no flash reflections, no red-eye
• Accessories: no hats or head coverings (unless for religious reasons), no eyewear or opaque lenses
• Image quality: high resolution (≥600 dpi), true color, matte finish, no creases or smudges
• Validity: photo taken within the last six months, reflecting current appearance

By strictly adhering to these specifications, applicants will produce a compliant passport photo that meets the highest standards set by Saint Kitts and Nevis authorities.