Bangladesh Passport Photo

Bangladesh Passport Photo -- e-Passport Rules Under the DIP

Bangladesh completed one of the largest passport modernization programs in South Asia when the Department of Immigration and Passports (পাসপোর্ট ও ইমিগ্রেশন অধিদপ্তর, DIP) fully transitioned to e-Passports in 2020. The shift from the old Machine Readable Passport (MRP) to the biometric e-Passport changed photo requirements significantly. The DIP now captures your biometric photo, fingerprints, and iris scans at the passport office itself using their equipment -- but you still need to bring printed photos that meet strict specifications for the application file.

All requirements are available through the DIP portal, which also handles online applications via the e-Passport system. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees consular passport services for Bangladeshis abroad.

DIP Photo Requirements for e-Passport Applications

Physical dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI) -- this changed from the old 45x55mm MRP format
• Head height: 28 to 36 mm from chin to crown
• Face centered with equal space on both sides

Background:

• Pure white only -- no off-white, cream, gray, or pale blue
• Must be completely uniform with no gradients or shadows
• The background must extend to all four edges without borders

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression, mouth closed, both eyes open
• Face looking straight into the camera
• No tilting, turning, or chin raising
• Both ears should be visible where possible

Glasses:

• Not permitted in e-Passport photos -- this is a change from the old MRP rules that allowed glasses
• Remove all eyewear including prescription glasses, sunglasses, and reading glasses
• Non-tinted contact lenses are acceptable

Head coverings:

• Hijab and religious head coverings are permitted -- face must be fully visible from forehead to chin
• Non-religious head coverings (tupi/taqiyah alone is not sufficient reason) are not permitted
• The covering must not cast any shadow on the face

Print quality:

• Matte or glossy photo paper
• Sharp, high-resolution print with no visible dots or pixelation
• No staple holes, creases, or marks on the photo

Recency: Taken within the last 3 months for e-Passport applications (stricter than the 6-month rule used by many countries).

Bangladesh Document Photo Sizes

The e-Passport Application Process and Photos

Understanding how photos work in the e-Passport system matters because the process has two separate photo stages:

Stage 1 -- Your submitted photos: You bring printed 35x45mm photos to the passport office. These are scanned and attached to your file. They must meet all specifications listed above.

Stage 2 -- Biometric capture: At the DIP office, an officer photographs you using a calibrated camera system with controlled lighting and a white background. This photo, along with fingerprints and iris data, is encoded onto the e-Passport chip. You cannot substitute your own photo for this stage.

Online application (epassport.gov.bd): When applying online, you upload a digital photo. Requirements: JPEG format, minimum 413 x 531 pixels, white background, file size under 300 KB. The system validates dimensions automatically and rejects non-compliant uploads before you can proceed.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Bangladesh

• স্টুডিও near DIP Regional Offices -- 100-200 BDT (approximately $0.90-1.80 USD) for a set of 4-6 photos. The DIP has 75 regional passport offices across Bangladesh. Each one has dozens of photo studios within walking distance. Studios near the Agargaon DIP headquarters in Dhaka are the most experienced with current e-Passport specifications.
• Agargaon area studios (Dhaka) -- 150-300 BDT for photos + digital copy on USB. The concentration of studios around the DIP headquarters on Agargaon Road is extraordinary -- there are over 30 within a 500-meter radius. Competition keeps prices low and quality high.
• Pathao/Uber to studio -- In major cities, ride to a studio near the nearest Regional Passport Office. Studios farther from DIP offices may not be updated on the latest e-Passport requirements and may provide photos in the old 45x55mm MRP size.
• চট্টগ্রাম (Chittagong) DIP Office area -- Studios on Zakir Hossain Road near the Chittagong Regional Passport Office, 100-200 BDT.
• Online photo tools -- Prepare a compliant photo digitally and print at any studio or digital print shop for 50-100 BDT. This is the cheapest option if you are confident in the specifications.

The 45x55mm to 35x45mm Transition Problem

The single largest source of confusion for Bangladeshi passport applicants is the photo size change. The old MRP passport required 45x55mm photos. The e-Passport requires 35x45mm. Many photo studios, especially those in rural areas and smaller towns that process fewer passport applications, still default to the old 45x55mm size. Before leaving the studio, explicitly confirm that the photos are 35 x 45 mm. Measure them with a ruler if you are not sure.

This issue is especially common for applicants at Bangladeshi embassies and consulates abroad, where local photo services have no familiarity with the old Bangladeshi format and produce standard 35x45mm photos -- which, fortunately, is now correct.

Common Rejection Reasons at DIP Offices

DIP officers at the biometric enrollment stage compare your submitted photos against your live appearance. Rejections are communicated on the spot:

1. Wrong photo size -- 45x55mm (old MRP size) submitted instead of 35x45mm. The most common error nationwide.
2. Background not white -- Any tint, shadow, or gradient in the background triggers rejection. Studios sometimes use slightly off-white backdrops that look acceptable in person but fail DIP screening.
3. Glasses worn -- The e-Passport system does not accept photos with glasses, regardless of prescription or transparency.
4. Photo older than 3 months -- DIP applies a 3-month recency rule, stricter than the 6-month standard used elsewhere. If your appearance has changed, bring new photos.
5. Expression or pose -- Slight smiles, head tilts, and closed eyes are all grounds for rejection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I still need printed photos if DIP takes a biometric photo at the office? A: Yes. The biometric photo captured at the DIP office is for the e-Passport chip. You must still bring printed 35x45mm photos for the application file. Typically 3-4 photos are needed.

Q: Can I use 45x55mm photos from my old MRP application? A: No. The e-Passport requires 35x45mm. Even if the photos are recent, the wrong dimensions will be rejected.

Q: I applied online at epassport.gov.bd. What photo format do I upload? A: JPEG format, minimum 413 x 531 pixels (equivalent to 35x45mm at 300 DPI), white background, file size under 300 KB. The upload tool validates these parameters automatically.

Q: How long does e-Passport processing take? A: Regular processing is 15-21 working days from biometric enrollment. Express processing (7-10 working days) and Super Express (3-5 working days) are available at higher fees: 3,450 BDT (regular), 4,600 BDT (express), 6,900 BDT (super express) for a 48-page passport.

Q: Is the photo requirement different for children? A: Children follow the same 35x45mm white-background format. For infants under 1 year, eyes may be partially closed. The child must be the only person in the photo -- no hands of parents visible. DIP officers apply the same technical standards but are understanding about the difficulty of infant photography.