Jordan Passport Photo

Jordan Passport Photo -- Complete Guide

Jordan's passport and civil identity documents are administered by the Civil Status and Passports Department (Da'irat al-Ahwal al-Madaniyya wal-Jawazat), commonly known as CSPD. The department operates under the Ministry of Interior and processes all Jordanian passport applications from its headquarters in Amman and branch offices across the kingdom. Jordan introduced the biometric e-Passport in 2008, becoming one of the first countries in the Arab world to adopt chip-based travel documents. All current Jordanian passports meet ICAO 9303 machine-readable standards, and photo compliance is verified through digital biometric screening.

Full specifications are published on cspd.gov.jo. These apply to all passport applications -- standard, temporary, and diplomatic -- whether submitted at CSPD offices in Jordan or through Jordanian embassies and consulates abroad. The same photo format is used for the Jordanian national ID card (bitaqat ahwaliyya).

Official Photo Requirements

Physical dimensions:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height: 25-35 mm from chin to crown
• Face centered in the frame with 2-3 mm space above the head

Digital specifications:

• Format: JPEG
• Minimum resolution: 600 x 600 pixels
• File size: under 3 MB
• Full-colour photo only

Background and lighting:

• Plain white background -- no off-white, cream, or blue
• Uniform and shadow-free
• Even, diffused lighting from the front
• Natural skin tones -- no colour correction or enhancement

Expression and pose:

• Neutral expression with mouth closed and both eyes open
• Face directly facing the camera with no tilt or turn
• Full face visible from hairline to chin, ear to ear

Clothing and accessories:

• Glasses are strictly prohibited in all Jordanian passport and ID photos -- no prescription, reading, or sunglasses
• Hijab is permitted for women; the full face from the hairline (or where it would be) to the chin must be visible
• Men: no keffiyeh or shemagh in passport photos (this differs from some other Arab countries). The igal and keffiyeh must be removed
• No hats, caps, or decorative headwear
• No military or security uniforms

Recency: Taken within the last 6 months.

CSPD Application Process

Amman headquarters (Abdali): The main CSPD building in the Abdali district of Amman handles the highest volume of passport applications. The office has internal photo capture stations for biometric enrollment. For most in-person applications, your photo is taken on-site using the department's equipment against a controlled white background. However, you are still required to bring printed photos as part of the dossier.

Branch offices across Jordan: CSPD operates branches in Irbid, Zarqa, Aqaba, Mafraq, Karak, Madaba, Ajloun, Jerash, and other governorates. These offices handle passport applications with the same specifications. Photo studios are available near every branch office.

Smart passport renewal: Jordan has introduced an online renewal option for some passport types. Digital photo upload requirements are enforced by the system's automated screening.

Jordanian embassies abroad: Embassies and consulates in Washington DC, London, Berlin, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Cairo, and other cities process passport applications with printed photos. Typically 4 identical 35x45mm photos are required. Processing times from abroad range from 4-8 weeks.

How to Take Your Jordanian Passport Photo at Home

Camera setup: Use any modern smartphone with a rear camera. Place it at face height on a tripod, shelf, or propped-up surface. Stand about 1.2 metres from the camera. Use the self-timer or have someone take the photo.

Background: Use a plain white wall. Many Jordanian homes have stone-clad or painted walls in warm tones -- if your wall is not white, tape a large white sheet or poster board behind you. The white must appear uniform in the photo -- wrinkles or folds in a sheet will create visible shadows. Stand 15-20 cm from the wall.

Lighting: Amman and other Jordanian cities get strong natural daylight. Stand facing a window during morning hours for soft, even lighting. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which creates harsh shadows. If using artificial light, position two lamps at 45-degree angles. Do not rely on a single overhead light source.

Keffiyeh removal: Unlike some Gulf countries, Jordan does not permit the keffiyeh or shemagh in passport photos. Men must remove all headwear. This is a common point of confusion, especially for applicants who wear keffiyeh daily.

Where to Get Passport Photos in Jordan

• Photo studios near CSPD headquarters (Abdali, Amman) -- JOD 1-2 for a set of 6 photos. Dozens of studios line the streets around the CSPD building. They photograph people for passports all day and know the exact requirements. Many display sample compliant photos in their windows.
• Photo studios near branch offices -- JOD 1-2. Every CSPD branch office across Jordan has nearby studios. Prices are consistent nationwide.
• Kodak Express / modern studios -- JOD 2-3. Found in City Mall, Mecca Mall, Taj Mall, and Abdoun area in Amman. Better equipment, air-conditioned, and digital copies available.
• Photo booths at malls -- JOD 1.5-2.5. Automated passport photo booths are available in some larger malls and produce ICAO-compliant photos.
• Pharmacy/printing shops -- Some pharmacies and printing shops in downtown Amman (Wust al-Balad) and Sweifieh offer passport photo services for JOD 1-1.5.

Budget tip: Prepare your photo digitally using an online tool, then print a 4x6 sheet at any studio or printer for JOD 0.25-0.50. Cut four 35x45mm photos from the sheet yourself. This is especially useful for Jordanians abroad who may not have access to studios familiar with Jordanian requirements.

Jordanian National ID (Bitaqat Ahwaliyya) Photos

The Jordanian national ID uses the same 35x45mm photo specifications as the passport. ID applications at CSPD require 2-4 printed photos. The smart bitaqat ahwaliyya (chip-based ID) has been phased in since 2013, and biometric data is captured at the CSPD office during application.

Common Rejection Reasons

1. Glasses worn -- The most common rejection cause. Jordan strictly prohibits all eyewear in passport and ID photos. Even clear lenses trigger rejection.
2. Keffiyeh or shemagh worn -- Men must remove all headwear for Jordanian passport photos. This rule is enforced at all CSPD offices and consulates.
3. Background not white -- Off-white, cream, light blue, and grey are all rejected. The background must be uniform white.
4. Shadows on face -- Overhead-only lighting creates shadows under the eyes and nose. Front-facing diffused light is required.
5. Expression not neutral -- Smiling, frowning, or any non-neutral expression causes rejection.
6. Photo dimensions incorrect -- Submitting 2x2 inch (US format) instead of 35x45mm is a common error for Jordanians applying from the United States.

Baby and Child Passport Photos (Suwar Jawaz al-Atfal)

Jordan's CSPD issues passports to children of all ages. The biometric capture at CSPD offices handles infant photography, but you must also bring printed photos for the dossier.

Infants under 12 months (rudi'a): Lay the baby face-up on a plain white sheet and photograph from directly above. CSPD's biometric system tolerates closed or partially closed eyes for infants under 6 months. No luhaya (pacifier), toys, or coloured accessories. The parent must not appear in the photo. At the CSPD office, the biometric operator positions the baby using a small support surface with a white backdrop. Bring 4 printed 35x45mm photos of the infant.

Children aged 1 to 5: Both eyes open and facing the camera. Neutral expression, mouth closed. The operator at CSPD retakes captures for toddlers who move or cry. For home photos, seat the child against a white wall on a chair with a white covering. Studios near the Abdali CSPD headquarters photograph children daily and can achieve a compliant shot quickly.

Children aged 6 and above: Full adult specifications apply, including the strict glasses prohibition.

Practical tip: Amman's photo studios near the CSPD building charge JOD 1-2 for child passport photos and have small seats and props (hidden behind the child) designed to keep babies upright. This is faster and more reliable than attempting the photo at home, especially for the 1-3 age group. For Jordanians abroad, the white-sheet method with overhead photography remains the most dependable approach for infants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can men wear a keffiyeh in their Jordanian passport photo? A: No. Unlike some other Arab countries, Jordan does not permit the keffiyeh, shemagh, or igal in passport photos. All male headwear must be removed. Religious head coverings (kufi for prayer) are also not permitted in Jordanian passport photos.

Q: Can women wear a hijab in their Jordanian passport photo? A: Yes. Hijab is permitted for women, provided the full face is visible from the hairline (or where the hairline would be) to the chin. The hijab must not cast shadows on the face and must contrast with the white background -- avoid a white hijab if possible.

Q: How long does a Jordanian passport take to process? A: Standard processing at a CSPD office in Jordan takes 1-2 weeks. Express processing (24-48 hours) is available for an additional fee. Applications through Jordanian embassies abroad take 4-8 weeks.

Q: Can I wear glasses in my Jordanian passport photo? A: No. Glasses of all types -- prescription, reading, sunglasses -- are strictly prohibited in Jordanian passport and ID photos.

Q: Is the photo specification the same for passport and national ID? A: Yes. Both the Jordanian passport and the bitaqat ahwaliyya (national ID) use 35x45mm photos with the same background, expression, and accessory rules.

Q: My photo was taken for a US visa (2x2 inches). Can I use it for my Jordanian passport? A: No. The US visa photo is 51x51mm (2x2 inches), which does not match Jordan's 35x45mm requirement. You need a separate photo in the correct dimensions. Simply cropping a 2x2 photo will result in incorrect head proportions.