Are you going to apply for your first Malaysian passport? Or are you going to renew or replace your passport? If yes, a new passport size photo is a must-have. Then, what is a qualified identification photo? This passage will talk about Malaysia passport photo requirements, especially the dress code and how to take a perfect passport size photo.
Malaysia Passport Photo Requirement & Guideline
- Dimensions: 35mm in width and 50mm in height.
- The head should take up 50%-60% of the frame. Leave a 10mm gap above the head and below the chin.
- The background should be plain white and non-textured.
- The photo must be colored and clear of any filter, special effects or retouching.
- The photo must be taken within the last six months, presenting your original look and skin color.
- Keep the whole face visible.
- Keep the mouth closed. Smiling or laughing is prohibited.
- Keep the eyes open and clear of the “red eye” effect.
- Glasses are not allowed unless for medical reasons. Don’t wear colored lenses.
- Headgear is not allowed unless for religious reasons.
- Wear decent dark clothes that contrast with the white background.
- The beard is optional. Make sure you look the same as the passport photo at the checkpoint.
- Look straight at the camera and keep the head in the center.
- Shadows on the face or background are not permitted.
- Only the applicant itself should be visible in the photo without distracted toys, snacks or persons (Important for infants & babies).
Malaysia Passport Photo Dress Code
The authority does not pose official requirements for dress codes, but there are some tips and hidden rules that should be followed. Proper dressing might accelerate approval and make you look cheerful. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. In this session, we are going to talk about the dress code for people with and without religious beliefs.
Religious Person
There are over 60% of Islamic persons Other common religions are Buddhism, Christianity and Hinduism. Each of them has a unique veil. The religious veil is acceptable on Malaysian passport photos as long as it is dark-colored and doesn’t cover the face.
Hijab
Hijab is a universal word for modest attire and it usually refers to Muslim women’s headscarf. There is no uniform Hijab style in the Muslim world. It comes in different kinds of patterns, fabrics and colors. For a Malaysia passport photo, the hijab should be in a dark color (i.e. black, brown, red) and not cover the face. White is anyway prohibited.
Shayla
Shayla is a long and rectangular scarf that wraps around the head and is finally pinned on the shoulder. This garment usually doesn’t cover the face, which is acceptable by Malaysian passport offices.
Tudung
Tudung, or tudong, is a popular religious headcover in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei or other Southeast Asian countries. Like hijab, it also covers the hair, ears, and neck. As one type of formal dress code in offices, schools and other public gatherings, Tudung could also appear on the passport size photo.
Chador
Chador is a semicircle shawl that drapes over the head and covers the upper body. It is held by hand beneath the fabric to keep it in place. Black is a popular color and that’s the most suitable for passport photos.
Al Amira
Al Amira, also called Ameera consists of two pieces: the cotton or lightweight cap over the head and the tube-like scarf around the neck. As the face is visible, Malaysian passport applicants could wear Al Amira for the photo.
Khimar
Khimar is a longer veil that extends from the head to the waist. khimar for Egyptian women even covers the knees. It is OK for a passport photo because the face is clear.
Non-religious Person
If you have no religious faith, headwear like hats, caps, and headbands are not permitted. Daily clothes are recommended and here are some dos and don’ts.
Dos
Wear dark clothes in case your upper body is hidden from the white background, such as black, red, blown, etc.
Wear casual clothes with a round neck or V-neck, such as jackets, T-shirts, shirts and blouses. You don’t have to look fashionable or strict.
Don’ts
Don’t wear uniforms or workwear such as military uniforms, school uniforms, doctor’s overalls, etc.
Don’t wear clothes with shiny rhinestones or accessories, or they would reflect the light and project a glare.
Don’t expose large areas of skin below the neck. For example, deep V-neck outfits, off-shoulder tops or vests are not recommended.
Don’t wear piercings on the nose or lips because they would distort facial features.
Don’t wear large earrings that overlap the face.
Don’t white and light beige.
How to Take a Qualified Malaysian Passport Photo
Although we have learned about the detailed Malaysia passport photo requirement, it would be hard to judge whether the photo is acceptable or not by ourselves. Then we should turn to a photo maker. AiPassportPhotos acts as an online intelligent passport compliance check tool, helping you make 100% compliant biometric images at home.
The first thing is to have someone take a photo for you with a smartphone or camera.
Then choose Malaysia passport photo service and upload the photo after visiting the site. This web-based editor would crop it to the required size and replace the background.
Preview it before downloading. If unsatisfied with it, just retake another one.
Finally, you would have a guaranteed photo both fitting you and the official standards. Moreover, templates for baby passport photos, driving licenses and so forth are also available.
With the help of AiPassportPhotos, you can not only make a fully qualified passport-style photo but also save money and time to visiting a photographer’s house. As it doesn’t require downloading and installing an application, you can use it anytime and anywhere as long as you have a computer, tablet or smartphone connected to the Internet.
Summary
A passport size photo is featured with stricter standards than most identification photos. It is important to dress properly before going out to a photography studio or taking a photo at home. It deserves spending some time studying the dress code. We hope this passage would guide you on what to wear for Malaysian passport photo depending on your religious belief. The religious veil is allowed as long as it doesn’t cover your face. If you are non-religious, pay attention to the colors, patterns and styles. Just keep your dress simple and casual.