Afghanistan Passport Photo — 35–40 mm & Face 70–80%

For an Afghan passport the published requirements come from two official sources, and they do not read identically. The passport page of the Afghan embassy states three white-background passport-type photographs; the official Passport Photo Requirements PDF gives the measurable format — a width of 35–40 mm (a range, not a fixed figure) with the face taking up 70–80% of the photo, on a plain light-coloured background. There is no height figure in either source. This page records both readings rather than merging them. Verified against the Afghan embassy passport page (2016 snapshot) and the official photo-requirements PDF (2015).

What the official sources state about the photo

Two sources, two readings

The embassy page summarises the requirement as three passport-type photos on a white background. The PDF, the more detailed document, sets the measurable rules:

The photographs must be: no more than 6-months old; 35–40mm in width; close up of your head and top of your shoulders so that your face takes up 70–80% of the photograph; in sharp focus and clear; of high quality with no ink marks or creases.”

Because the width is given as a range (35–40 mm) and no height is stated, do not size an Afghan passport photo to a single unofficial millimetre figure. The published width band is 35–40 mm, and anything beyond the two sources is unverified. Where a mission or the passport authority later tells you a format, follow that instruction.

Style, lighting and expression

The PDF adds the presentation rules (all quoted from it):

• Background — “a plain light-coloured background”
• Lighting — “uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflections on your face and no red eye”
• Framing — “show you facing square on to the camera, not looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or tilted, and showing both edges of your face clearly”
• Eyes — “show your eyes open and clearly visible—no hair across your eyes”
• Print — “printed on high quality paper, and at high resolution”; digital photos must be “high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper”
• Expression — “looking at the camera with a neutral expression and your mouth closed”, and “show you alone”

Head coverings (religious exception)

The PDF permits a head covering only in narrow terms:

“Head coverings: are not permitted except for religious reasons, but your facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of your face must be clearly shown.”

So a covering worn for religious reasons is allowed, provided the whole face — chin to forehead, and both edges — stays clearly visible. A hat or cap not worn for religious reasons is listed among the unacceptable examples. Compare with the photo backgrounds guide for setting the light background.

Glasses

The PDF is specific on glasses:

“If you wear glasses: the photograph must show your eyes clearly with no flash reflection off the glasses, and no tinted lenses (if possible, avoid heavy frames—wear lighter framed glasses if you have them); make sure that the frames do not cover any part of your eyes.”

Children and babies — not stated

Neither official source sets out a dedicated child or baby photo rule. The PDF’s only related notes are the unacceptable examples “shows another person” and “toy too close to face”, which imply an infant must appear alone and without a toy — but there is no age-based clause (for example a relaxed expression or eye rule for young children). Because the sources do not state one, this page does not invent one; ask the mission or the passport authority if you need a rule for a baby or young child.

60-second Afghanistan check

• ☐ Width 35–40 mm (a range) — no official height
• ☐ Face takes up 70–80% of the photo
• ☐ Three passport-type photos (per the embassy page)
• ☐ Light background — white (embassy page) / plain light-coloured (PDF)
• ☐ Taken within the last 6 months, colour, sharp, no creases
• ☐ Head covering only for religious reasons, face still fully visible
• ☐ No dpi, pixel or file-size figure is published

Frequently asked questions

What size is an Afghan passport photo?
The official PDF gives a width of 35–40 mm (a range) with the face taking up 70–80% of the photo. No height is published in either source.

How many photos do I need?
The Afghan embassy passport page states three passport-type photographs; the photo-requirements PDF does not give a number.

What background colour is required?
The embassy page says white; the official PDF says a plain light-coloured background. Both are light, stated at different levels of detail.

Can I wear a head covering?
Only for religious reasons, and the face from the bottom of the chin to the top of the forehead, with both edges, must be clearly shown.

Can I wear glasses?
Yes, if the eyes are clear with no flash reflection and no tinted lenses, and the frames cover no part of the eyes.

Is there a rule for babies and children?
The published sources do not set out a specific child or baby clause, so none is quoted here; the photo must still show the person alone.

Source note: the three white-background photos and the passport page are from the Afghan embassy passport page (Wayback Machine snapshot, 21 September 2016); the width range, face proportion, background, 6-month age limit and the style, glasses and head-covering rules are from the official Passport Photo Requirements PDF dated 4 February 2015. Neither source states a height or any pixel, dpi or file-size figure (checked October 2026).

Related: the full photo size chart, the backgrounds guide, the passport photo checker, and, if a photo has been refused, the rejection reasons guide.

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