Preparing Your Israeli Passport Photo
You need the right photo when you apply for an Israeli passport document. The tool above helps you crop your image to the correct size before you print or submit it.
Where You Submit Your Photo
For standard biometric passport applications in Israel, the authority takes the photo[1].
Instead, the 50x50 mm crop applies specifically to consular and paper photo submissions[1][2].
For consular paper applications, the photo guide specifies a 5×5 cm photo[2]. Check the instructions for your application route to confirm whether you need to provide a printed photo.
Official Size and Dimensions
The official size for consular and paper submissions is 50x50 mm, which translates to 1.97x1.97 inches[1][2].
The Population and Immigration Authority does not set a specific head height requirement or pixel limit for these paper prints[1][2].
You should frame your face evenly in the center of the square photo area. The tool above helps you crop your image to this exact square format quickly and correctly.
Background and Lighting Requirements
For consular paper applications, official guidance specifies a uniform white or light blue background[1][2].
Never use patterned wallpaper, textured surfaces, or dark colors behind you. Stand directly in front of a plain wall so your silhouette stands out clearly without any distractions.
Good lighting helps your camera capture your true skin tone and facial features without heavy shadows. Face a window during daylight hours or place soft lamps on both sides of you to light your space evenly, avoiding shadows under your chin or nose.
Glasses, Eyes, and Expression
You must take off your glasses for your Israeli passport photo because glasses are not allowed[1][2].
The guide says not to wear glasses[2].
The guide does not specify rules for eye direction, expression, or mouth position[2].
Rules for Children and Babies
Children and babies require their own passport when traveling out of the country[1][2].
All child passports are valid for a total period of five years[1][2].
A paper passport photo is recommended for children under six who are applying for a laissez-passer abroad or in special cases[1][2]. You can place a baby flat on a plain white or light blue sheet on the floor to take their picture safely from above, making sure no adult hands, pacifiers, or toys appear in the final frame.
Taking Your Photo at Home
You can easily take your passport picture at home using a digital camera or a modern smartphone without buying expensive equipment.
Ask a trusted friend or family member to take the picture for you instead of holding the camera yourself for a selfie, which distorts facial proportions. Keep the camera lens at your exact eye level and stand about one to one and a half meters away from the lens.
Stand a short distance away from the background wall to prevent any harsh shadows from forming behind your head. Review your test images on a computer screen to verify that your entire head and shoulders fit neatly inside the square frame.
Printing Your Photo Sheet
Paper submissions require physical prints that match the official dimensions precisely. You can arrange your cropped 50x50 mm image onto a standard 4x6-inch photo sheet.
Take this prepared digital file to a local store, pharmacy, or print kiosk that handles ordinary photo printing on glossy paper. Cut the individual squares carefully using sharp scissors or a paper cutter along the indicated crop lines.
Check that the final print is sharp, clean, and printed on standard photo paper without any ink smudges, bends, or folds.