Passport Photo

The photo must be:

• WHITE background (No blue background)
• NO eyeglasses
• Sized 2″ x 2″ (or 5 cm x 5 cm)
• Color photo, taken within the last 6 months
• No headphones or wireless hands-free devices
• No uniforms
• MATTE or GLOSSY photo quality paper

Tips on taking your photos:

• Photo booths that provide a “passport photo” option will print a smaller sized photo meant for a Japanese passport. Please choose the “visa” option if available. If your photo is smaller than the required photo size, we encourage you to submit your photo without cutting from the original print.
• If you wish to take a photo on your own, have someone else take your picture and print it on matte or glossy photo quality paper.
• Passport photos may be taken at the photo booth inside the Embassy/consulate for 1,000 yen (the machine only accepts 1,000 yen bills, so please plan accordingly).  The Consulates in Nagoya and Sapporo do not have photo booths.

Tips on taking newborn’s passport photos:

• You can drape a white sheet over one (sitting) parent, who also holds the baby’s head and neck upright from under the sheet. Or, you can place the child on a white blanket on the floor and take the photo while standing over him/her.

For more information regarding passport photos, please visit the Department of State website.