Dominica Passport Photo Specifications

Detailed Dominica Passport Photo Requirements

The Commonwealth of Dominica issues machine-readable passports that comply with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards. Below is a comprehensive guide to ensure your photo is accepted.

Photo Basics

• Your photo must be in color — black and white photos are not accepted
• Must be a recent photo, taken within the last 6 months
• The photo must be clear and in focus, with no blurriness or pixelation
• No filters or editing — do not apply social media filters or digitally alter your appearance
• Must reflect your current appearance
• Must be neither overexposed nor underexposed

Size and Dimensions

• Photo size: exactly 38 × 45 mm (3.8 × 4.5 cm)
• Your head must occupy 70–80% of the photo height (32–36 mm from chin to top of head)
• Distance from top of photo to crown of head: 3–5 mm
• Distance from chin to bottom of photo: 10–12 mm
• Printed on high-quality matte photo paper
• Digital version: 898 × 1063 pixels at 600 DPI

Pose and Expression

• Face the camera directly — your head must not be tilted or turned
• Both ears must be visible
• Maintain a neutral facial expression or a very slight natural smile with your mouth closed
• Both eyes must be open and clearly visible, looking straight at the camera
• Keep your mouth closed — no open-mouth smiling or teeth showing
• The photo should show a close-up of your head and top of shoulders

Background

• Use a plain white, light gray, light blue, light brown, or beige background
• No patterns, textures, or objects visible behind you
• No shadows on your face or on the background
• There must be sufficient contrast between your face/clothing and the background

Glasses

Sunglasses and tinted lenses are strictly prohibited. It is recommended to remove all glasses for the photo. If you must wear prescription glasses, ensure there are no reflections or glare on the lenses, and your eyes are fully visible.

Head Coverings and Hats

• No hats or head coverings are allowed, unless worn for religious purposes
• If worn for religious reasons, both ears and forehead must still be clearly visible
• The head covering must not cast shadows on your face
• No headphones, earbuds, or wireless hands-free devices

Clothing

• Wear normal everyday clothing
• No sleeveless tops or tank tops — your chest area must be covered
• Do not wear uniforms, military shirts, or camouflage clothing
• Avoid bold prints or patterns
• Ensure your clothing contrasts with the background (e.g., avoid white shirts on a white background)

Children and Baby Photos

• The child must be the only person in the photo — no parent's hands or arms visible
• The child's eyes must be open and visible
• No toys, pacifiers, or other objects visible in the photo
• A plain white or light-colored sheet may be used as a background for babies
• The photo must show the child's full face from chin to top of head

Source: Consulate General of the Commonwealth of Dominica — Passport Application Requirements

How to Take a Dominica Passport Photo at Home

You don't need a professional studio. Follow these simple steps to take a compliant Dominica passport photo at home using your smartphone.

1

Use a Smartphone or Digital Camera

Any modern smartphone camera (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, etc.) is more than capable of taking a passport-quality photo. Make sure the lens is clean and the camera is set to the highest resolution.

Place your phone on a tripod or ask someone to take the photo for you. Selfies tend to have the wrong angle and distortion.

2

Find Good Lighting

Stand facing a window with natural daylight for the best even lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, which creates harsh shadows. If using indoor lighting, use multiple light sources from different angles to eliminate shadows.

Tip: Don't worry if your background isn't perfectly white. Our AI tool will automatically remove and replace the background with the required white color.

3

Dress Appropriately

Wear your normal everyday clothing. Avoid sleeveless tops, tank tops, bold prints, military shirts, and white tops that blend with the background. Make sure your chest area is covered.

Make sure your hair does not cover your eyes or ears, and does not cast shadows on your face.

4

Pose Correctly

Stand about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in front of the camera with your head facing directly forward. Keep your shoulders relaxed and your head level — not tilted. Ensure your entire face from chin to forehead is visible, and both ears are showing.

5

Maintain a Neutral Expression

Keep your face relaxed with a neutral expression or a very slight natural smile. Both eyes must be open and your mouth closed. No open-mouth smiling, no teeth showing, and no squinting.

Good and Bad Examples of Dominica Passport Photos

Comparison of acceptable and unacceptable passport photos

Frequently Asked Questions