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14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourceMinistry of Foreign Affairs / Population and Immigration Authority of Israel
Verified
Quick answer: A Israel passport (Darkon) photo must be 50 × 50 mm. Plain white background. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 50 × 50 mmICAO 9303: 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Background | Plain white background. Make photo background white — Israel passport (Darkon) → |
| Pose | Full face, looking directly into the camera, head and shoulders fully visible. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows, overexposure, and reflections not permitted. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 50 × 50 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 5 × 5 cm |
| Inches | 1.97 × 1.97″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 591 × 591 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 1181 × 1181 px |
Israeli Darkon (foreign passport) photos are administered by the Population and Immigration Authority of Israel (Rashut HaOchlosin) under the Ministry of Interior. Two photo formats are accepted depending on country of application: 35×45mm (standard ICAO) or 50×50mm (5×5 cm square — used for applications abroad).
The square 5×5cm format is one of the few square passport photo specs worldwide. Background is plain even — light grey or white accepted, no shadows. Critically: if you apply in Israel itself, you do not need to prepare a photo in advance — you are photographed at the office during submission.
Photo only required for temporary passports, children, or abroad applications.
Examples and mistakes
A photo that will be accepted, next to the six most common reasons Israel passport (Darkon) photos get rejected.
Common reasons a document photo is rejected, checked against the requirements Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Population and Immigration Authority of Israel publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photo not 35×45mm or 50×50mm | Reprint at one of the two accepted sizes per country |
| Background not plain (shadows, patterns, dark colors) | Re-shoot against plain light-grey or white backdrop |
| Smile or non-neutral expression | Re-shoot neutral with closed mouth |
| Hair obscuring eyes | Re-shoot with hair clear of eyes |
| Photo older than 6 months | Re-shoot |
How to take it
Background: plain white
The tool puts in the required background. Stand half a metre from a plain light wall, face a window and shoot without flash — then there are no shadows on your face or on the wall.
Size: 50 × 50 mm
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to the required size.
Clear lenses only, no glare
If you wear glasses, check the shot: no glare on the lenses, eyes clearly visible.
Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open
Look straight into the lens with your head level; keep hair away from your eyes and eyebrows.
An ordinary selfie will do: we fix the background, light and framing ourselves — to this document's rules. The preview is free.
Head straightHold the phone at eye level and your head straightens by itself.
Face uncoveredMove your hair away so your eyes and eyebrows show.
No glare on glassesStand so that no light reflects in the lenses.Printing and submission
| 10 × 15 cm · 4 × 6″ | 6 (3 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 20 (4 × 5) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
| Authority | Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Population and Immigration Authority of Israel |
|---|---|
| Source | Israeli passport issuance abroad and biometric travel document guidance |
| Verified |
Questions
The Israel passport (Darkon) photo must be 50 × 50 mm.
Plain white background. Behind you there should be only a plain wall: no pattern, shadows or objects. Any light wall at home will do — the tool sets the exact background colour.
Yes. A phone and a light wall near a window are enough. The rear camera is sharper than the front one, so ask someone to take the photo or use a 3-second timer. The tool crops it to size, fixes the background and checks it against the Israel passport (Darkon) photo rules.
Most passport offices ask for a photo taken within the last six months. It should look like you today: after a new haircut or beard, take a new one.
We refund the payment in full. Email us within 14 days of purchase with your order number and the rejection notice from the Israel authority — the refund policy page has the details.
Eyes must be fully visible; no tinted lenses or strong reflections. If you keep them on, tilt them slightly downwards by lifting the arms a little above your ears: this usually moves reflections of a window or lamp off the lenses.
50 × 50 mm = 5 × 5 cm = 1.97 × 1.97 inches. At 300 dpi that is 591 × 591 pixels; at 600 dpi, 1181 × 1181 pixels.
Yes. The same 50 × 50 mm format and head size apply to: travel document (Teudat Maavar).