How should a Mexico visa photo look?
Mexico runs the most analog-strict policy on the global stage. The format is unusual: 31×39 mm portrait (3.1×3.9 cm), head 30-36 mm, face filling 70-80% of the frame. Three identical prints are required. Recency is 30 days: the shortest globally. Digital, scanned or retouched ("retoque") frames are not accepted; glasses of any kind are banned.
The body that sets the spec
The standard is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE: sre.gob.mx). Foreigner visa formats differ: 32.5×32.5 mm or 31×39 mm depending on the visa type. For citizen passport and ID, three identical 31×39 mm prints must be submitted within 30 days of capture.
Workflow after the shoot
The frame is sent to PhotoID Studio and the Mexico preset is selected; the app aligns the face, locks the head height in 30-36 mm and exports 31×39 mm at 300 DPI. The layout template lays three identical copies on a single 10×15 cm sheet. Retouch, skin softening and face slimming layers stay disabled; the raw frame is printed as captured.
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, no glasses, mouth closed, neutral expression". Because the Mexican format is portrait 3.1×3.9 cm, switch the camera to portrait orientation and verify head height from the live preview.
Reasons for rejection by SRE
• A frame older than 30 days: the shortest validity window globally. • Submission with one or two copies instead of three identical prints. • A digital image, a scanned frame or a phone print. • Skin retouch, blemish removal, face slimming or filter applied. • Glasses worn; any kind of frame is banned. • Head height outside the 30-36 mm range; face under 70-80%. • Wrong format: 31×39 mm sent where the foreign visa requires 32.5×32.5 mm or 31×39 mm.
Frequently asked questions
Why are three identical prints required?
The SRE spec requires three identical 31×39 mm prints in the passport or ID file; submitting one or two copies leaves the application incomplete.
Can skin retouching be applied?
No. The Mexican ban on "retoque" is the strictest in the world; frames with skin softening, blemish removal, face slimming or filters are rejected.
How soon must the application follow the shoot?
Within 30 days: the shortest validity globally. Frames over 30 days are rejected at SRE; a new shoot is required.
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