Malaysia Passport (IMI Portal)

Last verified 2026-04-25 against Jabatan Imigresen Malaysia (JIM) — via the IMI online immigration portalStandards: JIM digital passport application photo specification (IMI portal variant of the KLN/JIM passport rule)

Government-spec dimensions, head positioning, and file constraints.

Pixel size
827 × 1181 px
Print size
35 × 50 mm · 600 DPI
Background
sky blue#ADD8E6
Face height
70–80% · target 75%
Eye line
50%–60% from bottom
File size limit
300 KB
35 mm · 827 px50 mm · 1181 px
Face height: 70%–80% (target 75%)Eye line: 50%–60% (target 55%)

Note: Light blue background for digital portal

Key differentiator from my_passport: the IMI digital portal requires a LIGHT BLUE background (#ADD8E6) instead of the white background used for printed/over-the-counter passport applications. All other geometry rules are identical. Submitting a white-background photo through the IMI portal is the most common cause of rejection.

Dimensions

  • Print size equivalent: 35 × 50 mm (aspect 7:10)
  • Pixel size at 600 DPI: 827 × 1181 px
  • DPI: 600 minimum
  • File format: JPEG (recommended), PNG, BMP
  • File size: 100 KB – 300 KB
  • Color mode: full colour

Head position

  • Head height (top of hair to chin): 25–30 mm
  • Top margin (top of photo to top of hair): 10 mm minimum
  • Face coverage: ~70–80% of photo height
  • Head position: centered, full-face view, directly facing camera
  • Shoulders: squarely aligned with camera
  • Ears: both ears should be visible

Background

  • Color: LIGHT BLUE — #ADD8E6 (this is the defining attribute of this spec)
  • Plain, evenly lit, no shadows, no gradients, no patterns
  • Clothing should contrast with the light-blue background — avoid blue/teal tops
  • This light-blue background is mandated specifically for digital uploads through the IMI portal; physical/printed passport submissions still use white (see my_passport)

Expression

  • Neutral expression; mouth closed; no smiling or frowning
  • Both eyes clearly visible and open; no red-eye
  • Even, balanced lighting; no shadows on face or background
  • Hair must not cover the forehead or ears

Accessories

  • Glasses: removal recommended (to avoid glare)
  • Religious head coverings: permitted, provided all facial features remain clearly visible
  • Non-religious head coverings and hats: not permitted

Other rules

  • Photo must have been taken within the last 6 months
  • No digital alterations, filters, beauty enhancements, or background swaps that introduce artefacts
  • Photo must contain only the applicant
  • Must be uploaded through the official IMI / MyOnline Passport portal in the supported format

Notes

  • Some third-party guides incorrectly use the white passport rule for online submissions; the IMI portal sample PDF clearly shows the light blue background.
  • The exact shade has been variously described as "light blue" or "sky blue"; #ADD8E6 (CSS lightblue) is the value used throughout this codebase and matches the IMI sample reasonably well, but JIM has not published a precise hex value.
  • Other geometry (head height, margins, file size, DPI) matches my_passport exactly — only the background colour differs.

Sources

Can I wear glasses in the IMI portal passport photo?

Removal is recommended to avoid glare on the lenses. The geometry and accessory rules for the digital portal match the printed passport spec — only the background colour differs.

Can I wear a head covering for the IMI portal photo?

Religious head coverings are permitted, provided every facial feature remains clearly visible. Non-religious head coverings and hats are not allowed.

Can I smile in a digital Malaysian passport photo?

No — the rule is the same as the printed passport: a neutral expression with your mouth closed, both eyes open and clearly visible, no red-eye.

How recent does the IMI portal photo need to be?

The photo must have been taken within the last six months and must contain only the applicant — no digital alterations, filters, or background swaps that introduce artefacts.

What background and file format does the IMI portal require?

The IMI digital portal mandates a **light blue background** (`#ADD8E6`) — submitting a white-background photo here is the most common cause of rejection. Format is JPEG (recommended), PNG, or BMP at 100–300 KB; 600 DPI; 35 × 50 mm (827 × 1181 px).

Credit card · 85.6 × 54 mmPrint · 35 x 50 mm
Visual proportions, not actual size — depends on viewport DPI.
03 — Compliance engine

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."

VALIDATOR · MY_PASSPORT_DIGITALALL CHECKS PASS
Dimensions
827 × 1181 px
exact
827×1181
Face height
70% – 80%
target 75%
75%
Eye line
50% – 60%
target 55%
55%
Background
skyblue
ΔE < 3
#ADD8E6
File size
300 KB
JPEG q=92
182 KB
Sharpness
no motion blur
Laplacian var
1,284

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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