Fijiのパスポート写真

Fiji Passport Photo -- Immigration Department Standards

Fiji's Department of Immigration, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration (Tabacakacaka ni Veivakacoko kei na Lako-yani), manages all Fijian passport issuance from its headquarters in Suva with a satellite office in Lautoka. The department transitioned to the current machine-readable passport format in partnership with an international security printing firm, and all Fijian travel documents now incorporate biometric-ready photo specifications. For an island nation of under one million residents where overseas employment in Australia, New Zealand, and the Gulf states is a significant economic pillar, having a valid passport is essential for a large proportion of the working-age population. The Immigration Department reports that photo-related issues remain the most common cause of walk-in application delays at both the Suva and Lautoka offices.

Official passport service details, including photo guidance, are available at the Department of Immigration website: immigration.gov.fj/passport-services.

Technical Photo Specifications

Dimensions and resolution:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height from chin to crown: 28-33 mm
• Face centred in the frame with equal spacing on both sides
• Eyes positioned in the upper portion of the photo, roughly in the middle third vertically

Background:

• Plain white only -- uniform and free of marks, shadows, or textures
• No objects visible behind the subject
• The background must clearly contrast with the subject's hair and skin

Expression and positioning:

• Neutral expression with mouth closed and no teeth visible
• Both eyes open, looking directly at the camera
• Head straight and upright -- no tilting, no turning to show profile
• Face fully visible from forehead to chin, cheek to cheek

Print quality:

• Colour photo on quality photo paper (matte or glossy)
• Sharp focus, no blurriness or motion blur
• No damage, creases, ink smudges, or staple holes
• Precise 35x45mm dimensions with clean edges

Fiji-Specific Photo Rules

Glasses policy: The Department of Immigration permits prescription glasses in passport photos but advises applicants to remove them to avoid complications. If glasses are worn, lenses must be clear and free of any tinting or reflective coating. Frames must not cover the eyes or eyebrows. Sunglasses of any kind are prohibited. The humid Fijian climate frequently causes lens fogging in air-conditioned studios, producing hazy photos that fail review -- removing glasses eliminates this risk entirely.

Head coverings: Fiji's multicultural population includes indigenous Fijians (iTaukei), Indo-Fijians, and Rotuman communities. Religious head coverings are permitted for all faiths -- including Hindu head coverings, Muslim hijab, and Sikh turbans. The covering must not cast shadows on the face and must leave the full face visible from forehead to chin. Non-religious headwear, including traditional Fijian decorative headpieces worn for ceremonies, is not permitted in passport photos.

Ear visibility: Both ears should ideally be visible. For applicants whose natural hairstyles (including Afro-textured hair common among iTaukei Fijians) may partially cover the ears, the department applies practical tolerance as long as the full face contour is clear from cheek to cheek.

Sulu and traditional dress: Applicants may wear any clothing in their photo, including the traditional sulu (Fijian wrap garment) or sari. The only restriction is that clothing must not cover the neck or chin area. Avoid white tops, which blend with the white background. Military, police, and RFMF (Republic of Fiji Military Forces) uniforms should be avoided.

Photo recency: Must be taken within the last six months and reflect the applicant's current appearance.

Number of photos: Three identical photos are required per application. Bring extras as backup.

Retouching and digital filters: The Department of Immigration requires that passport photos represent the applicant's natural appearance. Beauty filters, skin-smoothing apps, AI enhancement, and facial-feature modification are not acceptable. Photos that appear heavily processed or that do not match the applicant's appearance during the in-person application review will be rejected.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Fiji

Photo studios in Suva (Photography studio): Studios along Victoria Parade, in the Suva Municipal Market area, and near the Department of Immigration headquarters on Victoria Parade offer passport photo services. A set of three to four prints costs 10-25 FJD (Fijian dollars). Studios nearest to the Immigration office deal with passport applications daily and are well-calibrated to current requirements. Ask for "passport-size photos" to confirm the 35x45mm format.

Studios in Lautoka and Nadi: Lautoka has several studios near its main commercial strip on Vitogo Parade that serve the western division's passport applicants. Nadi studios -- primarily near the Nadi Town area and along Queens Road -- also handle passport photography, particularly for applicants heading to the Lautoka satellite office. Pricing is similar to Suva: 10-20 FJD.

Photographic services in smaller towns: In Ba, Labasa (on Vanua Levu), Savusavu, and other smaller centres, passport photos are available at local photography shops and sometimes at general stores that offer photo printing services. Expect 8-15 FJD per set. Quality may vary -- inspect the white background and head framing before accepting the prints.

Outer island applicants: Residents of the Lau Group, Lomaiviti, Yasawa, and other remote island groups may have limited access to photo studios. The Department of Immigration accepts photos taken at home as long as they meet all technical specifications. Use a white sheet as a background, photograph in outdoor shade (not direct sunlight, which creates harsh directional shadows), and bring the photos to the nearest Immigration office when visiting Viti Levu or Vanua Levu.

DIY approach: Use a smartphone rear camera, stand against a white wall or hung white sheet, and photograph in even shade or with a window facing you. Have someone else take the photo from approximately 1.5 metres distance at eye level. Crop to 35x45mm using an online passport photo tool and print at any available photo printing location on photo paper. Total cost: under 5 FJD if you have access to a printer. Verify the head height and background uniformity before printing your three copies.

Fijians abroad: Citizens applying at embassies listed on the Fiji Government portal in Canberra, Wellington, Washington, or other cities can use any local studio that produces 35x45mm passport photos with a white background. Ensure the background is pure white, not the light grey accepted by some countries like Australia and New Zealand.

Baby and Child Passport Photos

All Fijian citizens need individual passports for international travel, including infants:

Infants under 12 months: Lay the baby face-up on a clean white sheet or cloth and photograph from directly above. The parent must not be visible in the frame. Eyes do not need to be fully open for newborns under 6 months. No pacifiers, toys, hats, or other objects visible. The white cloth must be smooth and wrinkle-free.

Children aged 1 to 5: The child must face the camera with both eyes open. A neutral expression is preferred, though the Immigration Department allows reasonable tolerance for very young children who cannot maintain a perfectly still, neutral face. White background and correct head-height proportions are still required. Three identical photos needed. Studios near Immigration offices have small chairs and positioning aids for this purpose.

Passport validity for children: Fijian children's passports have a shorter validity period than adult passports, meaning more frequent renewals and photo sessions throughout childhood. Always take fresh photos for each renewal.

Children aged 6 and above: Full adult standards apply. Three identical photos are required, same as for adults.

Practical advice: Studios in Suva and Lautoka near the Immigration offices regularly photograph young children for passport applications and have small chairs, positioning aids, and engaging distractions. Visit in the morning when children are typically more cooperative and before the afternoon tropical heat sets in.

Common Rejection Reasons

The Department of Immigration identifies these as the most common causes of photo rejection at its Suva and Lautoka counters:

1. Shadows on background -- Fiji's strong tropical light streaming through studio windows creates sharp shadows behind the subject that indoor lighting cannot always compensate for
2. Lens fogging from humidity -- Air-conditioned studios in humid Fijian conditions cause glasses lenses to fog over, producing a hazy film across the eye area that is impossible to overlook
3. Wrong number of photos -- Submitting fewer than three prints slows processing at the counter
4. Head too small in frame -- Standing too far from the camera or using a wide-angle lens setting that makes the face appear smaller than the required minimum head height
5. Non-neutral expression -- Smiling is deeply ingrained in Fijian culture, and the characteristic "bula smile" is the most common inadvertent expression violation at Fiji's Immigration offices
6. Background not pure white -- Cream-coloured or greyish walls used as improvised backgrounds at home, or studios with yellowed backdrops

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many passport photos does Fiji require? A: Three identical 35x45mm colour photos per application.

Q: Can I wear traditional Fijian attire in my passport photo? A: Yes, including a sulu or bula shirt, as long as the clothing does not cover the neck or chin. Ceremonial or decorative headpieces are not permitted, but everyday clothing of any style is fine.

Q: I live on an outer island. How do I get passport photos taken? A: You can take a compliant photo at home using a smartphone, a white sheet background, and natural outdoor shade for even lighting. Use an online tool to verify dimensions and compliance. Print the photos when you next visit a main island, or bring a digital file on a USB drive to a print shop in Suva, Lautoka, or Nadi.

Q: Are religious head coverings allowed? A: Yes. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and other religious head coverings are all permitted. The covering must leave the entire face visible from forehead to chin and must not cast shadows on the facial features.

Q: Can I submit a digital passport photo in Fiji? A: The Department of Immigration primarily processes printed photos at its Suva and Lautoka offices. Check directly with the office about digital file acceptance for specific circumstances.

Q: Do glasses cause problems in Fijian passport photos? A: Yes, more so than in many other countries. Fiji's high humidity causes lens fogging when moving from outdoor heat into air-conditioned studios, and the strong tropical light creates reflections on lens surfaces. The safest and simplest approach is to remove glasses entirely before the photo is taken.