How to Take a Passport Photo at Home
Save money and time by taking your own ICA-compliant passport photo using just your smartphone.
Find Good Lighting
Natural daylight is your best friend. Position yourself facing a large window with soft, diffused light. The ideal time is mid-morning or late afternoon when sunlight is less harsh.
Pro Tip: Avoid direct sunlight which creates harsh shadows on your face. Overcast days often provide the best lighting conditions.
Set Up White Background
ICA requires a pure white background. Stand about 30cm away from a plain white wall to avoid shadows. If you don't have a white wall, hang a white bedsheet or poster board.
Note: Our AI can remove and replace backgrounds, so don't worry if your background isn't perfect.
Position Your Phone
Place your phone at eye level, approximately 1-2 meters away from your face. Use a tripod, stack of books, or have someone else take the photo. Enable the rear camera for better quality.
- Use timer mode (3-10 seconds)
- Turn on portrait mode if available
- Disable any beauty filters
Take the Photo
Look directly at the camera lens. Keep a neutral expression with your mouth closed. Both eyes should be open and clearly visible. Remove glasses if they cause glare.
Do:
- • Face camera directly
- • Keep head straight
- • Show both ears
Don't:
- • Smile or frown
- • Tilt your head
- • Wear hats or headwear
Process with Our AI
Upload your photo to our AI tool. We'll automatically remove the background, adjust lighting, resize to 35×45mm, and verify all ICA requirements are met.
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