Irish Passport Photos: DFA Requirements & Guide 2026

Irish passport photos must be 35 millimetres wide by 45 millimetres tall (portrait orientation). This is the same physical size as UK, Australian, and New Zealand passports. For digital applications through the Department of Foreign Affairs, your photo must typically be at least 600 pixels wide by 750 pixels tall in JPEG format. The standard for online submissions through the Passport Service portal is 715x951 pixels.

Your head must be positioned appropriately in the frame with eyes looking directly at the camera. Head positioning should be centred. Your expression must be neutral with your mouth closed. No glasses unless medically necessary (a letter from an optician is required). No hats or head coverings except for genuine religious reasons, with your full face remaining clearly visible.

Background must be plain and light-coloured: white, light grey, or cream. No patterns, shadows, texture, or visible objects. The background must be uniform with no variations. Your photo should be recent and reflect your current appearance. A good rule is to ensure it was taken within the last few months.

Head too small or too large causes rejection. Background shadows, colour variation, or visible objects cause rejection. Expression issues including smiling, closed eyes, or extreme expressions trigger rejection. Ireland's online system provides automated feedback, but repeated failures are common when photos are slightly misaligned or poorly lit. Scanned printed photos are a very common cause of rejection. Always upload digital photos directly through the Passport Service portal.

Irish and UK passport photos use the same 35x45 millimetre format. A photo taken to meet UK specifications might also meet Irish requirements, but verify each country's specific requirements first. Requirements around background colour preference and other technical details can vary. For online applications, upload the digital file directly. Never scan a printed photo, as this introduces quality loss and is one of the most common causes of Irish passport photo rejection.