Philippines
4 government-specification photo formats.
Overview
The Philippines does not have a single nationwide identity-document photo standard. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) issues the rules for the ePassport; Philippine Embassies and Consulates abroad publish visa-category requirements; the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), under the Department of Justice, sets its own NBI Clearance rules; and other agencies such as the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) publish agency-specific requirements for their own workflows. A widely used 2 × 2 in baseline — observed by visa categories, NBI, SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG (HDMF), and most consular and school/employment IDs — functions as the de-facto generic ID format, with each agency layering stricter rules on top. DFA ePassport photos are captured on-site at DFA offices by data encoders, so DFA's self-supplied-photo rules apply primarily to consular applications abroad (Philippine Embassies and Consulates).
Two physical sizes dominate the supported catalog. The DFA passport follows the ICAO-style 35 × 45 mm format with a 32–36 mm chin-to-crown face height (70–80% of photo height). The visa preset, general ID baseline, and NBI Clearance use square 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) prints. The square formats use a wider 50–69% face proportion because the square frame leaves more headroom and shoulder room. Backgrounds also diverge: the DFA passport mandates royal blue (#0038A8) — a white background will be rejected — while visa, the 2 × 2 in baseline, and NBI use plain white (#FFFFFF). Some NBI offices accept 35 × 45 mm passport-size photos as a fallback to the 2 × 2 in default.
Recency is 6 months for DFA passport, visa, and the 2 × 2 in baseline, but tightens to 3 months for NBI Clearance. Across every supported spec the photo must be a full frontal view with no rotation or tilt, neutral expression with mouth closed (no visible teeth), open eyes looking directly at the camera, even lighting, and a recent capture; selfies and digital filters, retouching, beautification, or any modification of facial features are prohibited. Glasses are prohibited outright by DFA passport guidance and by NBI; the 2 × 2 in baseline discourages them. Head coverings are allowed only for documented religious or medical reasons and must not cover the eyes or eyebrows. The DFA additionally enforces unusually strict clothing rules for passport photos to ensure adequate contrast with the royal-blue background.
Issuing authorities
- Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) — ePassport, with royal blue (#0038A8) background.
- Philippine Embassies and Consulates abroad — visa-category photo requirements, commonly recent 2 × 2 in color photos with white background for categories that state the full rule.
- National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Department of Justice — NBI Clearance. Built on the 2 × 2 in baseline but with stricter rules: no glasses, no nametags or accessories, 3-month recency.
- Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) — professional licenses and credentials (REE, PEE, RME, etc.). PRC requirements are agency-specific; SpecSnap no longer ships a separate PRC preset until an exact official size can be sourced.
- De-facto Philippine 2 × 2 in baseline — used by NBI, SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG (HDMF), consular services, and most school and employment IDs as a shared starting point that individual agencies refine.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
Which Philippine documents have their own photo specifications?
There is no single nationwide standard. The DFA issues rules for the ePassport; Philippine embassies publish visa-category requirements; the NBI (under the Department of Justice) sets the NBI Clearance rules; agencies such as PRC publish their own workflow-specific requirements. A 2 × 2 in baseline observed by visa categories, NBI, SSS, GSIS, PhilHealth, Pag-IBIG, and most consular and employment IDs functions as the de-facto generic ID format.
What is the standard Philippine ID photo size?
Two physical sizes dominate. The DFA passport follows the ICAO-style 35 × 45 mm format with a 32–36 mm chin-to-crown face height (70–80% of frame); visa, the general baseline, and NBI Clearance use square 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) prints.
Can I reuse my 2 × 2 in ID photo for a Philippine passport?
No. The DFA passport requires a 35 × 45 mm print on a royal blue (#0038A8) background — a white background will be rejected. The 2 × 2 in white-background photo is widely used by visa categories, NBI, SSS, GSIS, and most school / employment IDs, but it cannot be substituted for a passport submission.
Why does the Philippine passport require a royal-blue background?
The DFA mandates royal blue (#0038A8) for the ePassport — a white background will be rejected outright. This is the single most distinctive Philippine rule and the primary reason a 2 × 2 in white-background photo cannot be used for a passport. Visa, the 2 × 2 in baseline, and NBI use plain white instead.
What gets a Philippine photo rejected most often?
White background on a DFA passport submission (must be royal blue #0038A8), photos older than 3 months for NBI Clearance (6 months for the other agencies), wearing glasses (prohibited outright by DFA passport guidance and NBI; discouraged for the 2 × 2 in baseline), and clothing that does not contrast with the royal-blue passport background.
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