Afghanistan passport photo rules from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Afghan passport photograph is governed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) through its Directorate of Consular Affairs, with in-country printing handled by the General Directorate of Passports under the Ministry of Interior Affairs. The format is a distinctive 40 by 45 millimeter print on a plain white background, slightly wider than the European 35 by 45 millimeter standard. Every Afghan diplomatic mission that publishes photo guidance, from Bishkek and Islamabad to Munich, Dubai, Seoul, and Vancouver, reproduces the same core specification.
The MFA applies the spec to ordinary, service, and diplomatic passports without variation. Visa applications for foreign nationals use a 35 by 45 millimeter print, and the Tazkira and e-Tazkira national ID historically use a 30 by 40 millimeter format, although passport-size photos are widely accepted at modern e-Tazkira portals. The photograph must be recent, taken within the last six months, and must reflect the applicant’s current appearance.
Afghan consular officers and GDP processing staff reject photographs that fail any element of the spec. Common failure points include shadows on the face or background, hair covering the ears for non-hijab applicants, visible teeth, glasses worn without a medical certificate, and photographs older than six months. A rejected photograph delays the application and requires a fresh capture rather than software correction.
Afghanistan Passport Photo Requirements
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Directorate of Passports enforce a strict subject standard for the 40 by 45 mm Afghan passport photo. The rules below are what you, the applicant, must get right.
Expression & pose
- Neutral expressionThe face must carry a strictly neutral expression. No smiling, frowning, or raised eyebrows are accepted.
- Mouth closedThe mouth must be fully closed with no teeth visible.
- Eyes open and on lensBoth eyes must be fully open and looking directly into the camera lens.
- Frontal alignmentThe head and shoulders must face the camera squarely. Tilted, turned, or portrait style angles are rejected.
- Shoulders squareBoth shoulders must be level and equally visible so that both sides of the face are captured evenly.
Eyewear & lenses
- EyeglassesEyeglasses are prohibited by default. They are accepted only with a doctor’s certificate establishing medical need, in which case frames must be thin, must not cover any part of the eye, and must show zero lens glare.
- Tinted lenses and sunglassesTinted lenses and sunglasses are strictly prohibited.
- Cosmetic contact lensesColored or patterned contact lenses that alter the natural appearance of the eye are not accepted. Clear prescription contacts are permitted.
Hair
- Face must remain clearHair must not cover the eyes, eyebrows, or the facial oval. The full face must be visible from chin to forehead.
- Bangs and fringesFringes are accepted only when they sit above the eyebrows without touching or covering them.
- Long hairLong hair must be tucked or tied back so that both ears remain visible, except where religious headwear naturally covers the ears.
- Hair accessoriesSmall, discreet pins are acceptable. Large or decorative hair accessories are not permitted.
Ears
- Both ears visibleBoth ears must be clearly visible in the photo. This rule is actively enforced for applicants who are not wearing a hijab or other religious head covering that naturally covers the ears.
Headwear
- General prohibitionHats, caps, and fashion headwear are not accepted.
- Religious and medical exceptionsReligious head coverings and medically required headwear are accepted, provided the full facial oval from chin to forehead remains visible and no shadow falls on the face.
- Headwear color and patternPermitted head coverings must be a solid, mid-tone or dark color that contrasts with the white background. Patterns and prints are not accepted.
- Hijab for womenFor adult female applicants processed inside Afghanistan through the Kabul General Directorate of Passports, a hijab is mandatory under current enforcement. Strict consular posts apply the same expectation.
Jewelry & accessories
- EarringsSmall, non-reflective earrings are acceptable. Large or reflective earrings cause rejection.
- NecklacesNecklaces are accepted if they do not rise into the face area and do not cast shadows.
- Facial piercingsNose, lip, and brow piercings must be removed before the photo is taken.
- Headphones and earbudsHeadphones, earbuds, and wireless audio devices are prohibited. Hearing aids are accepted when medically required.
Cosmetics
- Makeup levelMakeup must be minimal and natural. Heavy eyeliner, dramatic contouring, and excessive highlighting are not accepted.
- False eyelashesFalse eyelashes are not permitted.
- Permanent featuresTattoos, moles, scars, and birthmarks must remain visible as identification markers and must not be covered with makeup.
Clothing
- Color contrastClothing must contrast with the white background. White tops are strongly discouraged because they blend into the background.
- ModestyConservative dress is required. Bare shoulders and deep necklines are not accepted.
- UniformsCivilian uniforms are not accepted. The exception is official and diplomatic passport holders photographed in their authorized uniform.
- Religious and cultural dressTraditional and religious attire is accepted as long as the full facial oval remains visible and no shadows are cast on the face.
Photo quality
- Red-eyeRed-eye causes automatic rejection and must be resolved by retaking the photo, not by software correction.
- Shadows on the faceShadows under the eyes, nose, chin, or cast by headwear onto the face are not accepted.
- Natural skin toneSkin tone must read naturally, without washout or oversaturation.
Dimensions, resolution & background.
Head position & camera distance.
- Head height, measured from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head, must be between 32 mm and 36 mm (roughly 65–71% of the photo height).
- Eyes must sit between 25 mm and 30 mm from the bottom of the photo.
- Top margin (from the top of the head to the top edge): 2–3.6 mm.
- The head must be centered horizontally in the frame, with a small symmetrical margin on each side.
- Shoulders must be square to the camera and both visible. No three-quarter angles or rotated torso.
- The full face, from chin to crown, must be inside the frame with proper top margin.
Afghanistan accepts more than one size — we generate them all.
Afghanistan publishes more than one acceptable format depending on where you submit your application — domestic passport offices, the official online portal, and regional consulates abroad can each call for a different print or pixel size. We render every variant below from the same source photo, so the head sits at the same physical position across files, and each one arrives in your order email with a clear filename indicating which submission channel it's for.
Afghanistan Passport 50×50 mm — online
Primary · Print + DigitalAfghanistan's official format — the same file works for both printed in-person submissions and the online portal upload.
Afghanistan Passport 40×45 mm
Print + DigitalAlternate accepted size — works as both an in-person print and an online-portal upload.
How recent the photo must be.
Your passport photo must have been taken within the last six months. A new photo is required sooner whenever your appearance has changed in a way that makes the old photo no longer recognizable.
You need a new photo if you’ve had…
- Facial surgery or a major change to facial structure
- A significant gain or loss of weight that visibly changes your face
- Large facial tattoos or piercings added or removed
- A gender transition that has changed your appearance
You do not need a new photo just because of…
- A new hair color
- Growing or removing a beard or moustache
- Ordinary, minor aging
- A new hairstyle that still leaves the face fully visible
Photos for infants and young children.
Afghan authorities do not publish a formal child bracket, but ICAO 9303 leniency applies to newborns and pre-walking infants.
Infants (newborn to pre-walking)
ICAO 9303 infant leniency applies. The Afghan authorities have not published an override of this leniency.
- ExpressionA perfectly neutral expression is not required for newborns.
- EyesEyes do not need to be fully open. A sleeping newborn is accepted.
- PoseStrict frontal alignment is relaxed. The infant should still appear roughly facing the camera.
- Support in the frameLay the infant on a plain white sheet, or in a car seat covered by a white sheet, and photograph from directly above. No hands, pacifiers, or toys may appear in the frame.
Country-specific details to know.
A few Afghanistan-specific points fall outside the standard rule groups.
Unique print format
Afghanistan uses a 40 by 45 mm photo, which is slightly wider than the 35 by 45 mm format common across Europe. Photos sized to the European standard will not fit the Afghan application.
Both ears rule
Active enforcement of the both-ears-visible rule is a distinctive feature of the Afghan spec for non-hijab-wearing applicants. Hair must be tucked firmly behind both ears.
Photo recency
Photos must be taken within the last six months. A new photo is required after significant facial surgery, major weight change, or large changes to facial tattoos.
Attaching prints
When prints are submitted physically, photos should be attached to the application with glue rather than staples. Staples risk damaging the facial-scan area of the photo.
As easy as snap, upload, done.
You take a quick picture. We do the spec work and tell you immediately if anything needs a retake.
Free to check. You only pay when you keep it.
Print & paper standards.
If you submit a printed photo with a paper application, the print itself has to meet acceptance-facility standards in addition to the rules above.
- Photographic with a semi_matte finish.
- Inkjet printing is not accepted. Use a professional photo lab.
- No visible pixels, banding, dithering, or printer artifacts.
- The print must be undamaged: no creases, holes, smudges, staples, or pinholes.
- Do not write on the back of the photo.
- 4 identical prints are required.