Philippines
5 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 and for visa applications processed by Philippine Embassies and Consulates abroad; the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), under the Department of Justice, sets its own NBI Clearance rules; and the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) maintains a separate format for professional licenses such as REE, PEE, and RME. A widely used 2 × 2 in baseline — observed by 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 DFA passport and the 35 × 45 mm visa photo follow the ICAO-style 35 × 45 mm format with a 32–36 mm chin-to-crown face height (70–80% of photo height); the rest of the ecosystem uses square prints — 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) for the general ID baseline and NBI Clearance, and 1 × 1 in (25 × 25 mm) for PRC. The square formats use a wider 50–69% face proportion (PRC uses ~65%) 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 the 35 × 45 mm visa, the 2 × 2 in baseline, NBI, and PRC all use plain white (#FFFFFF). Some Philippine consular missions accept the 2 × 2 in white-background photo as an alternative for visa applications, and 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 and visa, the 2 × 2 in baseline, and PRC, but tightens to 3 months for NBI Clearance. Across every 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 and visa) and by NBI; the 2 × 2 in baseline and PRC merely discourage 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 and Philippine visa (35 × 45 mm). Mandates royal blue (#0038A8) for passport, white for visa.
- 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.). Uses a 1 × 1 in white-background format with ~65% head height.
- 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 and consular visa; the NBI (under the Department of Justice) sets the NBI Clearance rules; the PRC maintains a separate format for professional licenses. A 2 × 2 in baseline observed by 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 and the 35 × 45 mm visa follow the ICAO-style 35 × 45 mm format with a 32–36 mm chin-to-crown face height (70–80% of frame); the rest of the ecosystem uses square prints — 2 × 2 in (51 × 51 mm) for the general baseline and NBI Clearance, and 1 × 1 in (25 × 25 mm) for PRC.
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 NBI, SSS, GSIS, and most school / employment IDs, and some consular missions accept it as an alternative for visa applications, 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. The 35 × 45 mm visa, the 2 × 2 in baseline, NBI, and PRC all 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 and NBI; merely discouraged for the 2 × 2 in baseline and PRC), and clothing that does not contrast with the royal-blue passport background.
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