How to Prepare Your Gibraltar Passport Photo
Get your Gibraltar Variant Passport photo right by following official rules for size, background, and pose. You can format your picture easily using the tool above.
Official Size and Dimensions
The official photo size is 45 mm high by 35 mm wide (about 1.77 by 1.38 inches)[1]. The guidance recommends a head height of 29 to 34 mm, measured from the bottom of the chin to the crown[1].
The guidance asks for a close-up of your face, head, and shoulders, with a recommended head height of 29 to 34 mm[1]. You can use the tool above to crop your photo, but the official source does not specify that your head must be centered vertically.
Background and Lighting Requirements
Your photo must feature a plain cream or plain light-grey background[1]. Never use patterned wallpaper, textured walls, or dark colors behind you. The background must be completely clear of objects, shadows, and marks so the issuing office can process your image without trouble[1].
Stand facing a bright window or in a room with balanced lighting to keep your face evenly lit. Avoid harsh overhead lights that cast dark shadows under your nose and chin. When your image is ready, the final pictures must be printed on plain white photographic paper[1]. Glossy or matte finish is fine as long as the paper is plain white and shows crisp details[1].
Facial Expression, Glasses, and Headwear
You must maintain a neutral facial expression with your mouth completely closed when the camera takes the picture[1]. Do not smile, frown, or raise your eyebrows. Look straight into the camera lens with your eyes wide open, clear, and visible[1].
If you wear prescription glasses, they are allowed only under conditional rules[1]. Thick frames, tinted lenses, or glasses that cast shadows over your eyes often cause rejections, so taking them off is usually the safest choice. Headwear is permitted for religious or medical reasons only[1], and it must not cover any part of your face from the tip of your chin to the top of your forehead[1].
Rules for Children and Infants
Photographing young applicants takes extra patience and careful attention to age-based exceptions. Children aged five and under do not need to keep a neutral expression or look directly at the camera[1]. They can have a natural, relaxed look while facing forward[1].
Babies under one year old do not need to keep their eyes open during the shot[1]. If you need to support a baby's head or body during the photo session, your supporting hand must not be visible anywhere in the frame[1]. Laying the infant on a plain cream or light-grey sheet on the floor is a helpful way to capture the shot safely[1].
Taking Your Photo at Home Step by Step
Stand about one to one and a half meters away from the camera or smartphone lens. Ask a friend or family member to take the picture for you instead of taking a selfie, because holding a camera at arm's length distorts your facial features and changes your head shape.
The photo guidance says the picture must be taken in a photo studio; photos taken at home are unlikely to be high enough quality[1]. Ask a studio to take and print your photo.
Printing and Submitting Your Photos
You must provide two identical printed photos with your application[1]. They must be taken within the last month[1].
You can arrange your cropped photo onto a standard 4×6-inch photo sheet and print it out at an ordinary retail photo kiosk on plain white photographic paper[1]. One of your two printed photos must be certified if you are submitting a specified first application, replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged passport, renewing a child passport, or if you cannot be recognized from your current photo[1][2].
Frequently asked questions
Can I wear glasses in my Gibraltar passport photo?
Glasses are allowed only under conditional rules[1]. Because thick frames and glare often lead to rejected applications, it is usually safer to remove your glasses before taking the picture.
What background color do I need?
How many photos must I submit?
You must supply two identical recent printed photos with your passport application[1].
Do babies need to look at the camera?
No. Babies under one year old do not need to keep their eyes open, and children aged five and under do not need to look directly at the camera or hold a neutral expression[1].