head 70–80 %
Free: cropping, background replacement, check
14-day refund if the authority rejects the photo
SourcePassport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jamaica
Verified
Quick answer: A Jamaica passport photo must be 35 × 45 mm. Plain matte background: pastel for light complexions, white for dark complexions, pale blue or pastel for grey or white hair. Head occupies 70–80% of photo height. Neutral expression, clear lenses only, no glare. Last verified .
Requirements
| Format | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Head height | 70–80% of photo height |
| Background | Plain matte background: pastel for light complexions, white for dark complexions, pale blue or pastel for grey or white hair. |
| Pose | Strictly full face, head without rotation or tilt, shoulders level. |
| Expression | Neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open. |
| Glasses | Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. See full rules → |
| Lighting | Shadows on the face and background not permitted. |
| Head covering | Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. |
| Attire | Neutral clothing, shoulders visible, without uniform or distracting accessories. |
| File format | JPEG · sRGB / 24-bit |
| Millimetres | 35 × 45 mm |
|---|---|
| Centimetres | 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Inches | 1.38 × 1.77″ |
| Pixels at 300 dpi | 413 × 531 px |
| Pixels at 600 dpi | 827 × 1063 px |
The Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) asks for «two (2) identical photographs … taken in colour with a matte/dull finish, against a plain background», «not taken more than six months prior to submitting the application», with «a full frontal pose of head, neck, and top of the shoulder», «the length of the face in the photograph 25 mm to 35 mm» and «a margin of 3 mm to 4 mm between the head and the edge of the photograph». The background depends on the complexion: «applicants of light complexion … a pastel shaded background», «applicants of dark complexion … a white background», «applicants with grey/white hair … a pale blue or pastel background»; light-complexioned applicants avoid white clothing, dark-complexioned applicants wear coloured clothing, and bright colours, exposed shoulders and chest are to be avoided. No other person or object, no background shadows, no excessive reflection, no creases or ink marks, no embossed seal; glasses without tinted lenses and not heavy frames; headgear «ONLY for religious purposes», with Section H of the application form completed and the face from chin to forehead clearly shown. The page also lists two passport-sized photographs certified by a consular officer, justice of the peace, notary, commissioner of oaths, medical doctor or lawyer — with the applicant's name and the certifier's name, number and signature, not older than six months, and dated; it does not say which applicants this covers.
Examples and mistakes
One compliant example next to the six most common rejection causes for Jamaica passport applications. These are the differences that most often determine whether a document photo is accepted.
Typical reasons a photo is rejected under the rules Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jamaica publishes: what is wrong and what to change.
| Reason | Fix |
|---|---|
| Photographs taken more than six months before the application, not identical, or not in colour with a matte finish | Two identical colour photographs with a matte finish taken within six months. |
| A background that does not suit the complexion (for example white clothing on a pastel background for a light complexion), shadows, another person or object | A plain background chosen for the complexion and hair colour, no shadows, nothing else in the picture. |
| A face shorter than 25 mm or longer than 35 mm, or no 3–4 mm margin between the head and the edge | A face of 25–35 mm with a 3–4 mm margin above the head. |
| Tinted lenses, heavy frames, exposed shoulders or chest, bright clothing, excessive reflection | Clear lenses, light frames, covered shoulders, plain clothing, matte print. |
| Headgear without a religious reason or Section H, creases, ink marks or an embossed seal on the print | An uncovered head (or religious headgear with Section H) and a clean print without marks or seal. |
How to take it
Background: plain light
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.
Head: 70–80 % of the photo height
Camera at eye level, about a metre away; head and shoulders in the shot. The tool crops it to 35 × 45 mm.
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″ | 8 (4 × 2) |
|---|---|
| A4 · 21 × 29.7 cm | 36 (6 × 6) |
Print at 100% scale, borderless, and turn off fit-to-page so each photo keeps its exact size.
A Jamaican passport is applied for at a PICA office in Jamaica, with two identical photographs (the page also lists certified photographs).
PICA, 25C Constant Spring Road, Kingston 10; regional offices in Montego Bay, Mandeville, May Pen, St. Ann's Bay and Port Antonio
Two identical matte colour photographs with the face 25–35 mm; certified, dated photographs as the page lists.
Authority page| Authority | Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Jamaica |
|---|---|
| Source | Passport Photo Requirements |
| Verified |
Questions
Two identical colour photographs with a matte finish, taken within six months against a plain background, a full frontal pose of head, neck and top of the shoulders, the face 25–35 mm long with a 3–4 mm margin above the head.
It depends on the complexion and hair: white for a dark complexion, a pastel-shaded background for a light complexion (avoid white clothing), pale blue or pastel for grey or white hair.
Glasses without tinted lenses and without heavy frames; headgear only for religious purposes, with Section H of the application form completed and the face from chin to forehead visible.
The PICA page lists two passport-sized photographs certified by a consular officer, justice of the peace, notary, commissioner of oaths, medical doctor or lawyer, dated and not older than six months; it does not say which applicants this covers, so check the countersigning guidance of PICA for your case.
The Jamaica passport photo must be 35 × 45 mm. The head must occupy 70–80% of the photo height.
Plain matte background: pastel for light complexions, white for dark complexions, pale blue or pastel for grey or white hair. No gradients, textures, shadows or objects behind the subject are permitted. The tool removes background shadows automatically, but starting with a flat, evenly lit wall gives the best result.
Yes. Stand in front of a flat, plain wall in good natural light, face the light source and use the rear camera of your phone with a 3-second timer. The tool handles the crop, background normalisation and compliance check against the Jamaica biometric standard.
Most passport authorities require the photo to be taken within the last six months. Do not reuse an older portrait even if your appearance has not changed.
Anfas.Pro provides a 14-day full refund if the photo is rejected by the Jamaica authority and you supply the official rejection notice. See the refund policy page for the exact process.
Clear glasses only, no reflections; sunglasses prohibited. In practice, the biometric scanner at submission points flags even minor lens glare that looks fine to the naked eye. Removing glasses before shooting is the only option that eliminates the risk entirely.
35 × 45 mm = 3.5 × 4.5 cm = 1.38 × 1.77 inches. At 300 dpi that is 413 × 531 pixels; at 600 dpi, 827 × 1063 pixels.
2 identical photographs, 35 × 45 mm each, taken within the last 6 months.
Religious reasons only; must not cover the facial oval. The face must stay fully visible from chin to forehead and on both sides, with no shadow across it.