BJ Benin passport 3.5x4.5 cm (35x45 mm) Photo Requirements Guide - Official Guidelines

Requirements

• Photo size: exact 5 × 5 cm (35 × 45 mm) with a maximum 5 % tolerance on each dimension
• Head dimensions: distance from chin to crown must be 31–36 mm with at least 2 mm space above hairline
• Eye placement: centre of pupils positioned 15–20 mm from the bottom edge of the photo
• Background: uniform plain white or very light grey free of shadows, patterns or textures
• Lighting and exposure: even, balanced illumination with no reflections, glare or deep shadows on face
• Expression and posture: neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open, head centred and upright facing the camera
• Colour and contrast: accurate skin tones with natural contrast, no red-eye, colour casts or over-saturation
• Head coverings: permitted only for religious reasons, must not obscure any facial features from chin to forehead
• Eyeglasses: thin-framed clear lenses allowed, no tinted lenses, and no glare or frame shadows over eyes
• Photo age: captured within the last six months reflecting your current appearance
• Photo quality: high-resolution (minimum 600 dpi), printed on matte or semi-matte photo paper without wrinkles
• No accessories: remove hats, headphones, large hair clips, scarves (unless for religion) and jewellery that obscure the face
• Digital file format: JPEG, JPEG 2000 or PNG in sRGB colour space, maximum file size 240 KB if submitting electronically
• Borders and cropping: no borders, no frames; include full head and top of shoulders with true proportions preserved

Step-by-Step Process

• First step: Prepare the camera and setup
• Use a high-resolution DSLR or mirrorless camera with a 50 – 85 mm lens equivalent to minimize facial distortion
• Mount the camera on a tripod at your eye level, 5–2 meters from the subject
• Position two softbox lights at 45° angles to eliminate shadows and produce even lighting on the face and background
• Second step: Select and prepare the background
• Choose a plain, light gray or white backdrop with no patterns or textures
• Ensure the background is evenly lit to register as a uniform tone in the final photo
• Place at least one meter of clearance between subject and background to avoid shadows
• Third step: Position the subject
• Have the subject stand or sit upright, facing the camera directly with shoulders square
• Align the subject’s eyes with the horizontal center of the frame—typically 2/3 up from the bottom edge
• Maintain a neutral expression: lips closed, no smile, mouth relaxed, eyes open and clearly visible
• Fourth step: Frame and compose the shot
• Crop in-camera or use live-view gridlines to include from the top of the head to mid-shoulders
• Ensure the face height measures 28–33 mm when printed at 35×45 mm; the distance from chin to crown should occupy 70–80% of photo height
• Leave at least 5 mm of space between the top of the head and the photo’s upper edge
• Fifth step: Check attire and grooming
• Wear plain, dark-colored clothing without logos or patterns; avoid white shirts against white background
• Hair must not cover the face or eyes; both ears should be visible unless for religious reasons (earrings must not be large)
• Remove glasses or use frameless glasses with no glare; remove hats and headwear except for documented religious requirements
• Sixth step: Capture multiple shots and verify quality
• Take at least five photos, adjusting lighting and framing as needed
• Zoom in on your camera’s LCD to confirm sharp focus on the eyes and absence of red-eye or shadows
• Discard any images with uneven lighting, reflections, or distracting hair
• Seventh step: Select and crop the final image digitally
• Open the highest-quality RAW file and convert to TIFF or high-quality JPEG at 300 dpi
• Use software cropping tool to set exact canvas size to 35×45 mm (aspect ratio 7:9)
• Verify that the printed head height measures 28–33 mm and eye line sits 20–25 mm from the bottom edge
• Eighth step: Adjust color and contrast
• Confirm neutral skin tones—no red or blue color casts—and maintain consistent brightness across the face
• Use levels or curves adjustment sparingly to preserve natural shading and skin texture
• Do not apply filters, retouch blemishes, or alter natural features
• Ninth step: Print on approved photo paper
• Use professional-grade, matte or semi-gloss photo paper rated for ID-photo reproduction
• Print at 300 dpi or higher, ensuring ink density produces a clear, durable image
• Trim precisely to 35×45 mm with a guillotine or fine-cut scissors, keeping edges straight and clean
• Tenth step: Final quality check and submission
• Place the printed photo on a template or ruler to confirm exact size (35×45 mm) and head proportions (28–33 mm)
• Inspect under natural light for even color, full background coverage, and adherence to lighting rules
• Submit one printed photo and one digital file as required by the Benin passport application guidelines; retain digital master copy for backup

Tips and Best Practices

• Background uniformity: use a plain, matte white background with no patterns or shadows to ensure your face contrasts clearly against the backdrop—this prevents automatic rejection by digital scanners that struggle with non-uniform backdrops.
• Head dimension and alignment: position your head so it measures 31–36 mm from chin to crown and is centered both vertically and horizontally—accurate sizing avoids cropping errors that can disqualify your photo.
• Lighting and shadow elimination: employ balanced, front-facing light sources (e.g., two soft lamps at 45° angles) to eliminate harsh shadows on your face and background—consistent illumination preserves true skin tones and facial features.
• Expression and attire compliance: maintain a neutral expression (mouth closed, eyes open) and remove glasses, hats, or headphones—strict adherence to these rules prevents concealment of identifying features.
• Print quality and durability: print on high-resolution (at least 600 dpi), glossy photo paper using dye-based inks—poor print quality, pixelation, or ink smudges can lead to rejection by border authorities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, ensuring your Benin passport photo meets the 3.5×4.5 cm (35×45 mm) specifications is essential to avoid delays or rejections. By following these precise guidelines you guarantee a smooth application process and uphold the biometric standards required by Beninese authorities.

Key Points:

• Dimensions: exact 35×45 mm size, with square corners and sharp edges
• Head Size & Position: 70–80 % of photo height (31–36 mm), centered vertically, eyes 28–35 mm from bottom edge
• Background: plain white or light gray, no shadows or patterns
• Expression & Pose: neutral expression, mouth closed, head straight, both ears visible
• Head Coverings & Accessories: no hats/headgear (except for approved religious reasons), no glasses or tinted lenses
• Photo Quality: high resolution color print on glossy/paper, no creases, tears, stains or digital artifacts
• Recency: taken within the last 6 months to reflect current appearance
• File & Print Standards: professional lab or certified studio recommended to ensure compliance