Israel Biometric Photo Size
51×51 mm (2×2 inch), ICAO 9303
Author: Murat Duru
Founder of PhotoID Studio: biometric photo software
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How should a Israel passport photo look?
The Israeli biometric standard is 35×45 mm on a white or slightly off-white background; some consulates abroad accept 50×50 mm for non-biometric travel documents. The most unusual rule is recency: only 3 months: far shorter than the global norm. Glasses are banned unless medical, with a signed doctor's note required.
Photo Size
51×51 mm (2×2 inch)
Head Ratio
70%
Eye Position
56% from bottom
Top Margin
3-5 mm
Background Color
White / Light Blue
Standard
ICAO 9303
Requirements & Notes
Israeli photos accept white or light blue background. Follows ICAO standards.
The body that sets the spec
The standard is published by the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA: gov.il). At PIBA bureaus, citizens applying for the biometric Darkon do not need to bring a printed photo; capture is performed free of charge at the service station. Foreigners submit visa photos in 5.5×5.5 cm format.
Workflow after the shoot
The frame is sent to PhotoID Studio and the Israel preset is selected; the app aligns the face, cleans the background to pure white, and exports 35×45 mm at 300 DPI. If a consulate route abroad needs 50×50 mm from the same frame, the preset is simply switched; prints are laid out on 10×15 cm paper.
Capture setup and direction
Seat the customer 1.5-2 m in front of the white backdrop with shoulders parallel to the camera. Camera on a tripod, lens at eye level. Standard setup: a 50-85 mm portrait lens, f/8 aperture, a softbox at 45° with a reflector on the opposite side. Cue: "chin slightly back, mouth closed, eyes fully open, neutral expression". For medical glasses with a doctor's note, capture so the eyes remain clearly visible; a kippah, headscarf or religious head covering is accepted as long as it does not cover the face.
Reasons for rejection at PIBA and consulates
• A frame older than three months from the capture date: shorter than the global norm and often missed. • Non-medical glasses; medical glasses without a signed doctor's note. • A backdrop other than white or off-white: grey or coloured. • A kippah or headscarf covering the line of the face. • A smile, visible teeth, or any non-neutral expression. • Glasses glare; tinted or sunglass lenses. • Wrong format: 50×50 mm sent to a biometric Darkon, or 35×45 mm sent through a consulate route.
For studios in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa
Israeli studios see steady traffic from tourist visas, work permits and diaspora passport renewals; the free biometric capture at PIBA bureaus reduces the domestic passport line, but foreigners and consulate routes keep studios busy. The PhotoID Studio Israel preset locks 35×45 mm on white; switching to 50×50 mm for consulate routes is a one-click move.
Used For
- Passport
- ID card (Teudat Zehut)
- Visa
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Frequently asked questions
- Why is the validity window so short for an Israeli photo?
The standard requires the frame to be no older than three months: far shorter than the global norm. Older frames are frequently rejected at PIBA and consulates.
- Can the photo be taken with glasses?
Only on medical grounds and only with a signed doctor's note. Ordinary glasses, tinted or sunglass lenses are rejected.
- Why is photo capture free at PIBA bureaus?
For biometric Darkon applications, PIBA captures the photo on-site at the service station, so citizens do not need to bring a printed photo.
Create Israel Biometric Photos
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