Armenia Passport Photo

Armenia Passport Photo -- Specs for the Caucasus Biometric Passport

Armenia issues biometric passports through the Passport and Visa Department of the Police of the Republic of Armenia (Ոստիկանության անձնագրային և վիզաների վարչություն). The country transitioned to ICAO-compliant biometric passports in 2012, and the current passport generation includes an embedded chip storing facial biometric data. Armenian passport photo requirements follow standard ICAO 9303 specifications with 35x45mm dimensions, but the Passport and Visa Department enforces several country-specific details -- particularly around head positioning tolerances and the treatment of religious head coverings -- that differentiate it from neighboring Georgia and Turkey.

Applications are submitted at territorial passport divisions across Armenia or at the central office in Yerevan on Nalbandyan Street. Armenian citizens living abroad apply through consular sections of embassies. The Police of the Republic of Armenia maintains passport information at police.am. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides consular guidance for diaspora applicants. Since Armenia operates a dual-citizenship framework, many diaspora Armenians hold both Armenian and foreign passports, and understanding the specific Armenian photo requirements -- which may differ from their country of residence -- is essential.

Dimensional and Resolution Standards

Print format:

• 35 x 45 mm (413 x 531 pixels at 300 DPI)
• Head height from chin to crown: 28-33 mm
• Face width: 20-25 mm measured across the cheekbones
• Eyes positioned within the horizontal center band of the frame
• Clearance above the top of the head: 3-5 mm

Digital submissions:

• JPEG format, minimum 413 x 531 pixels
• File size limit: 1 MB
• Colour photograph, standard sRGB profile
• No compression artifacts or visible noise

Paper and finish:

• Printed on photo-quality paper, matte or semi-matte
• No border, no rounded corners
• Clean cuts with straight edges

Background Standards

• White background only -- Armenia's passport offices specifically reject pale blue, cream, and light grey backgrounds that some other former Soviet countries still accept
• Perfectly uniform -- no visible shadows, gradients, or light variations
• No objects, textures, or patterns behind the subject
• Sufficient contrast between the background and the applicant's hair, skin, and clothing

Expression, Pose, and Appearance

• Neutral expression with the mouth closed -- no teeth showing, no smile
• Both eyes fully open with the iris and pupil clearly visible
• Direct forward gaze into the camera lens
• Face perfectly symmetrical to the camera -- no head rotation or tilt
• Both ears should be visible, hair pushed behind the ears or pinned back
• Full face visible from chin to forehead without obstruction

Armenian-Specific Photo Regulations

Glasses policy: Armenia does not permit glasses of any kind in biometric passport photos. This prohibition covers prescription eyeglasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses. The rule was implemented alongside the biometric passport transition to ensure facial recognition compatibility with border control systems.

Head coverings: Permitted only for religious purposes, and only if the applicant wears the covering daily as part of their religious practice. The covering must not obscure any part of the face, and it must not produce shadows across the facial features. Armenia's Armenian Apostolic Church tradition does not typically require head coverings for men in daily life, so this exemption primarily applies to Muslim residents and members of other religious communities.

Military applicants: Armenian military personnel must submit photos in civilian clothing. Military uniforms, rank insignia, and camouflage patterns are not allowed in passport photos, even for active-duty soldiers.

Facial hair: No restrictions on beards or mustaches. The photo must reflect the applicant's current appearance at the time of submission.

Where to Get Photos in Armenia

Yerevan photo studios (լուսանկարչատուն): Numerous photography studios operate near the main passport office on Nalbandyan Street and throughout central Yerevan -- along Mashtots Avenue, near Republic Square, and in the Cascade area. These studios understand Armenian passport specifications precisely. Pricing: 1,000-3,000 AMD for a set of 4-6 photos. Studios near the passport office charge slightly more due to convenience but deliver faster.

Regional cities: In Gyumri, Vanadzor, Kapan, and other regional centres, photography shops near the local passport office provide compliant photos. Expect to pay 500-2,000 AMD per set. Quality is generally reliable, but inspect the prints for pure white background and correct head positioning.

Quick-print kiosks: Automated photo kiosks exist in some Yerevan shopping centres, including Dalma Garden Mall and Yerevan Mall. Cost: 500-1,500 AMD. Select the "passport photo" or "biometric photo" option -- do not use the entertainment photo settings. Verify dimensions before leaving.

Armenian diaspora: Large diaspora communities in Los Angeles, Moscow, Beirut, Paris, and other cities can use local photo studios. Specify "35x45mm biometric passport photo, white background." Studios in these cities regularly handle passport photos for various nationalities and will know the format. Pricing varies by country.

Armenian Document Photo Sizes

Armenia uses different photo formats for different official documents:

• Biometric passport (35x45mm): The standard format for all current passport applications
• Visa applications (35x45mm): Most Armenian visa applications use the same dimensions
• National ID card (30x40mm): The Armenian ID card requires a smaller photo
• Military ID: A separate specification applies -- do not use military ID photos for passport applications

Confirm the required format before having photos taken, especially if you need photos for multiple documents.

Children and Infant Photo Rules

Armenian children must have individual biometric passports for international travel. Child passports are valid for 3 years (compared to 10 years for adults aged 16+), meaning frequent photo updates.

Infants under 1 year: Position the baby face-up on a flat white surface. Photograph from directly overhead. The infant should be the only subject in the frame -- no visible hands, blankets with colour, or support objects. Partially closed eyes are tolerated for babies under 6 months.

Children aged 1-5: Sit the child against a white backdrop. A parent may support the child from behind as long as the parent is completely hidden. Both eyes must be open. A neutral expression is required, though the passport office applies more flexibility for very young children who cannot hold a neutral face.

Children aged 6-15: Standard adult rules apply without exception. Both ears visible, neutral expression, no glasses, white background.

Frequent Causes of Photo Rejection

1. Glasses worn -- the most common error among applicants unaware of the total glasses ban
2. Head size outside tolerance -- the 28-33mm chin-to-crown range is strictly measured; photos taken too close or too far produce heads that fall outside this window
3. Ears hidden by hair -- long hair covering one or both ears triggers rejection at the biometric enrollment stage
4. Background colour deviation -- pale blue backgrounds (a holdover from old Soviet ID photo conventions) are still sometimes submitted and always rejected
5. Photo does not match current appearance -- weight changes, new facial hair, or hairstyle changes between the photo and in-person appointment cause mismatches
6. Shadow on background -- overhead lighting in homes creates a dark shadow directly behind the head

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I wear glasses in my Armenian passport photo? A: No. Armenia prohibits all types of glasses in biometric passport photos. Remove them before the photo session.

Q: Does Armenia accept the old 3x4cm Soviet-style ID photo? A: No. Since the 2012 biometric passport transition, only 35x45mm ICAO-compliant photos are accepted. The old 3x4cm format is no longer valid for any Armenian passport application.

Q: I have dual citizenship. Do my Armenian passport photos need to be different from my other passport? A: The photos must meet Armenian specifications. If your other passport uses the same 35x45mm dimensions (common in Europe), the same photo may work for both -- provided it meets all Armenian rules, including the glasses prohibition and white background requirement.

Q: How long does an Armenian passport take to process? A: Standard processing takes 15-20 working days within Armenia. Urgent processing (within 2-3 working days) is available for an additional fee. Consular processing abroad takes 30-60 working days.

Q: Where is the main passport office in Yerevan? A: The central Passport and Visa Department is on Nalbandyan Street in central Yerevan. Territorial divisions operate in each district (administrative region) of the city and across all marzes (provinces).

Q: Can I upload a digital photo for the Armenian passport application? A: Some consular offices accept digital photo submissions. The file must be JPEG, minimum 413 x 531 pixels, under 1 MB, with a white background. In-country applications at police offices typically require printed photos.