Malaysia Employment Pass
Last verified 2026-07-07 against Expatriate Services Division (ESD), Immigration Department of MalaysiaStandards: ESD Sample of Photo upload requirementGovernment-spec dimensions, head positioning, and file constraints.
- Pixel size
- 99 × 142 px
- Print size
- 99 × 142 p ×
- Background
- sky blue#ADD8E6
- Face height
- 50–60% · target 55%
- Eye line
- 50%–60% from bottom
- File size limit
- 20 KB
Note: ESD upload: light blue background; JPG/JPEG under 20 KB
Dimensions
- Digital upload size: 99 × 142 px
- File format: JPG or JPEG only
- File size: less than 20 KB
- Color mode: full colour
Head position
- Full-face view facing straight to the camera
- Neutral facial expression
- Both eyes open and mouth closed
- Full face must be visible
Background
- Color: light blue (
#ADD8E6in SpecSnap) - Background must be light blue only
- Head covering must not cast a shadow on the face
- Clothing should contrast with the light-blue background; dark clothing covering shoulders and chest is shown in the official sample
Expression
- Neutral expression; mouth closed
- Both eyes clearly visible and open
- Face straight to camera
Accessories
- Head coverings are allowed only when they do not obscure the hair or hairline, unless worn for religious purpose.
- Full face must remain visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadow on the face.
- Hats and other coverings that obscure the face are not acceptable.
Other rules
- Digital-only upload preset.
- Use a sharp, current color photo that matches the official sample composition.
Notes
- This spec was corrected on 2026-07-07. The earlier catalog incorrectly reused the Malaysian passport 35 × 50 mm white-background rule; ESD's own sample PDF instead requires a light-blue 99 × 142 px upload under 20 KB.
Sources
Can I wear glasses in my Employment Pass photo?
The official ESD sample does not publish a separate glasses rule. Keep both eyes open and clearly visible, and avoid anything that obscures the eyes or face.
Can I wear a head covering for the Employment Pass photo?
A head covering must not obscure the hair or hairline unless worn for religious purpose. Full face must remain visible, and the head covering must not cast any shadow on the face.
Can I smile in an Employment Pass photo?
No. ESD requires a neutral expression with your mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible, and no red-eye.
How recent does the Employment Pass photo need to be?
Use a current, sharp color photo. The ESD sample shows dark clothing covering shoulders and chest against the required light-blue background.
What file format and size does the ESD portal accept?
ESD requires a 99 × 142 px photo, file size less than 20 KB, and JPG/JPEG format only. The background must be light blue only.
Live validation
against the actual rulebook.
Every crop is measured against the published tolerance ranges for the selected document. Pass or warn, in real time — no "submit and hope."
The same checks the authority will run — before you submit.
- Face height & eye line measured from the pupil midpoint with sub-pixel accuracy, clamped to the tolerance range your authority publishes.
- Background colour checked across a sampled grid — catches gradients and fringe from poor segmentation (ΔE < 3 against spec).
- File-size ceiling enforced per-spec — recompressed silently for sub-60 KB e-visa portals, lossless for print.
- Sharpness & expression guards warn on blur, closed eyes, or non-neutral expressions before you export.
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