Japanese passport photo rules in plain words
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) sets the passport photo standard, which is also published by Japanese embassies. The printed size is 35x45 mm (1.38 x 1.77 in) at 300 DPI, and the digital size is 413x531 pixels as a JPG. Crown to chin must measure 34 mm plus or minus 2 mm, which is the 32-36 mm range.
- Background: light-coloured and plain, with no border.
- Age of photo: taken within the last 6 months.
- Hat: not allowed. Religious head coverings are allowed if the face is fully visible.
- Glasses: not allowed.
- Copies: 1.
The official text we read does not confirm the glasses rule, so removing glasses is the safest approach.
How to take the photo at home with a phone
Stand in front of a plain light wall and let window light fall on your face. Hold the phone at eye level and look straight into the lens with a neutral expression and your mouth closed. Both eyes should be open and your hair should not cover your eyebrows or eyes.
- Take off glasses and any hat or cap.
- Keep your head upright and your shoulders level.
- Avoid shadows on the wall by standing a little away from it.
IDPhotoly processes the image in your browser without uploading it, crops it to 35x45 mm and checks the head measurement against the 34 mm plus or minus 2 mm range.
Common reasons for rejection
- Head size off by a few millimetres. The tolerance is only plus or minus 2 mm around 34 mm.
- Border or frame around the photo. The background must be plain, with no border.
- Hat or cap. Hats are not accepted.
- Old photo. It must be taken within 6 months.
- Glasses with reflections. Even if allowed in some cases, reflections hide the eyes, so remove them.
Printing or uploading
The Japanese passport photo is accepted both printed and digitally. For a paper application, print 1 copy at 35x45 mm and 300 DPI. For online services such as Mynaportal, the uploads follow separate file rules, so check them before submitting the 413x531 px file.
Tips for a clean result
Because the head-size tolerance is tight, keep the same distance from the camera and avoid tilting your chin up or down. Do not edit the photo after the compliance check.
Payment is one-time, and you receive a full refund if an authority rejects the photo.