Pakistan passport photo requirements for the online application
The official Pakistan passport e-Services guidance asks for a professionally taken photo of 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, with a digital file of no more than 5 MB. It also says the photo must not be cut down from a larger picture or edited in other software, so this is one case where a resizer is the wrong tool.
Open the photo toolWhat the official page says
These requirements come from the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports (DGIP) page on capturing and uploading your photograph, last checked on October 14, 2026.
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Photo size | 45 mm high by 35 mm wide, professionally taken |
| Digital file size | Must not exceed 5 MB |
| Age of photo | Not more than 6 months old |
| Background | Plain white |
| Framing | Close-up of your full head and shoulders; only you in the picture |
| Quality | Sharp focus and clear |
| Cropping and editing | No photos cut down from larger pictures; not edited in software such as Photoshop |
Why a resizer is usually the wrong tool
The page says plainly that photos cut down from larger pictures are not acceptable and that pictures should not be edited in other software. Cropping and resizing are exactly that kind of change. A photo studio that produces a correctly framed picture, or a fresh camera photo taken correctly, avoids the problem entirely.
- If your file is under 5 MB, upload it as it is. There is nothing to fix.
- If it is over 5 MB, the simplest fix is to retake it at a lower camera resolution. Most phones let you choose one. This avoids editing a photo after the fact.
- If you must compress it, use SizeKit only to reduce the file size and keep the original pixel dimensions. Do not crop or change the proportions. Type a custom limit just under 5 MB, since the presets stop at 500 KB.
What gets photos rejected
The official page says photos may be rejected unless they show you facing forward and looking straight at the camera, with a neutral expression and closed mouth, nothing covering your face, clear contrast with the background, eyes open and visible, no glare on glasses, no sunglasses or tinted lenses, no red eye and no shadows. None of these can be fixed by changing pixels. They are problems with the photo itself.
You may see other numbers online, such as 60 KB or 350 KB, in older PDF guides and on third-party sites. The official page we checked says 5 MB. Portals are updated over time, so trust the message on the upload screen and the verification tool on the official page over any copy of the rules, including this one.
Check before you submit
- Confirm the photo is no older than six months and was taken against a plain white background.
- Check the file properties: the size must be under 5 MB.
- Use the photograph verification tool linked from the official page. Its wording refers to a visa application, so rely on the upload screen for the final result.
- If you will also print a copy, see how 35 × 45 mm converts to pixels.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Pakistan passport photo?
The official e-Services page asks for 45 mm high by 35 mm wide. The digital file must not exceed 5 MB.
Can I crop my photo to 35 × 45 mm myself?
The official page says photos cut down from larger pictures are not acceptable and that photos should not be edited in other software. Have the photo taken at the correct framing instead of cropping it afterwards.
Is there a minimum file size?
The official page states a maximum of 5 MB and does not state a minimum. A photo from a normal camera or phone is far above any sensible minimum.